G-MW will begin issuing annual fixed water charge accounts to all customers this week, and has streamlined customer access to the Victorian Government Drought Rebate by deducting this from eligible customers' accounts.
According to G-MW Chief Financial Officer Peter Guy the automatic deduction means customers do not need to complete further paper work or applications to receive the much needed Government financial assistance.
"This is an extremely difficult season, and we are keen to assist customers to access available assistance as easily as possible," said Mr Guy.
G-MW's annual fixed water charges account commonly represents around 80% of each customer's total water charges. Many of the costs are fixed and do not vary with water availability.
"G-MW doesn't sell water - our customers own their water entitlements. Our job is operate and maintain the assets that harvest, store and deliver customers' water allocations - and many of these costs do not change in response to season inflows. For this reason, the Government's rebate is providing much needed relief for our customers in a very difficult season," said Mr Guy.
Mr Guy said the drought had increased some maintenance works for G-MW, with an increased number of leaks and pipeline breaks reported in 2007/08 triggered by the dry conditions causing ground movement.
"Our maintenance program is essential to system operations this year and to ensuring the system is capable of returning to full operations when required. We have deferred some works but much of our operations and maintenance activity is required whether we are delivering 1 or 100 ML, and any deferred works will need to be delivered in coming seasons," said Mr Guy.
Customers will receive a brochure with their account. The brochure provides further information about the rebate, payment dates and payment methods.
"If allocations on any system exceed 30% on 1 December 2008, the rebate will not apply and we will issue an Adjustment Account to the relevant customers," said Mr Guy.
The 2008/09 Drought Rebate follows $35.9 million of Victorian Government assistance provided to customers in 2007/08, and more than $20 million of assistance in 2006/07.
For further information about the Drought Assistance Rebate is available from G-MW's website at www.g-mwater.com.au or call 1300 553 200. General drought information is available from Department of Primary Industries on 136 186 or www.dpi.vic.gov.au/drought.
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