Central Coast water prices: Submission to IPART review of prices for water, wastewater and stormwater services for Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) recently commenced its review of prices for water, wastewater and stormwater services for Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council. In response, Gosford Council has sought price rises that would increase the average residential water bill by 37 per cent or $304 over the next four years. Wyong Council has requested approval to add 19 per cent or $154 to the average residential property bill over the same period. PIAC’s submission to IPART expresses concern about the impact of these water price increases on low-income and other disadvantaged residents of the Central Coast. In the absence of adequate consumer protections, it also recommends a suite of social support programs to assist local residents to manage higher water bills. The submission also seeks to draw IPART’s attention to factors that may negate the need to approve price increases to the extent proposed by both Gosford Council and Wyong Council, such as their capacity to undertake proposed capital expenditure programs.