Extra $48 on water bills

Gippsland Water customers will pay an average of $48 more for water and sewerage services in 2024-2025 than they did for the past year.
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) has approved charges that will see residential owner-occupiers getting a bill for $1465.
On the brighter side, the increase of 3.4 per cent is the second lowest percentage increase among the 13 regional water services.
However, in the metropolitan area's four water businesses, the average increase is 3.2 per cent. Customers will pay $1070 for the year, almost $400 less than what Gippsland users will be charged.
The ESC's executive director of price monitoring and regulation Marcus Crudden said water bills varied depending on water usage, changes in borrowing costs and inflation.
But he said customers would benefit from increasing investment to maintain service quality and reliability and to address key challenges such as climate change.
People that believe they will have trouble paying their bills are urged to contact Gippsland Water.
Mr Crudden said the water authority can offer help through payment plans or assistance in applying for utility relief grants, information on concessions and tips on how to reduce water usage.