East Gippsland Water has announced there will be no real increase in water bills for average residential customers for five years under a proposal put forward by the corporation. Prices will only adjust in line with inflation.

 

This is one of a number of proposals put forward by East Gippsland Water in its draft Water Plan for 2013-2018, Water Plan 3, which is now available for customer and stakeholder comment.

 

Other highlights in the draft include:

  • giving customers more control over their bill by reducing the fixed charge of both water and wastewater components and increasing the water usage portion. This means customers who use less water will pay lower bills;
  • a proposal to spend around $9 million a year on essential major works - Such as progressing a major upgrade to Bairnsdale Wastewater Treatment Plant, upgrading the sewer networks in Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance and renewing sections of ageing water pipeline across East Gippsland;
  • expenditure of around $17.5 million a year to maintain and operate water and wastewater infrastructure;
  •  the introduction of Guaranteed Service Levels – This means customers who receive a significantly poor level of service in one of five key areas, will be compensated financially.

To view the draft plan and consultation details, visit the website www.egwater.vic.gov.au and click on the ‘Water Plan 3’ link. Five fact sheets have also been prepared to explain areas of greatest interest and are on the same link.

 

Comments should be emailed by 31 July  to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or posted to ‘Water Plan 3’, East Gippsland Water, PO Box 52, Bairnsdale, Vic, 3875.