Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) has listened to the needs of customers ahead of the recently released 2021/22 price list.
The annual pricing update has been approved by the Essential Services Commission on behalf of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
In response to feedback from customers through GMW’s price submission engagement for simple systems and fair pricing, a Customer Fee and Water Register Fee will be introduced to replace the current Service Fee from 1 July 2021.
“We are now approaching the one year mark in our 2020-24 pricing. Through our pricing submission in 2019 and 2020 we worked hard to reduce costs and implemented several important changes to our tariff structure,” GMW Customers and Stakeholders General Manager Ann Telford said.
“These actions enabled us to propose a landmark reduction in our revenue requirement, and pass these savings onto customers.
“Most of our customers will already have seen an average of 10 per cent drop on their bills. Our pricing for this period is based on revenue of $440 million over the four year period – around $65 million lower than the previous four year period.
“This year, it is anticipated that most customers who currently pay for two or more Service Fees will see an overall reduction on their account as a result of the new Customer Fee. While some customers may experience an increase as a result of the new Water Register Fee, water entitlements will be able to be consolidated, reducing the number of records, and associated fees.
“Customers who only have one service will receive a slight increase in their fixed charges account as a result of the new Customer Fee. This increase is offset by other price reductions passed on through last year’s 2020/21 pricing.”
Ahead of the price list coming into effect, customers will receive their 2021/22 fixed charges bills at the end of July to early August.
The recently released 2021/22 price list is available on GMW’s website at www.gmwater.com.au/price-list