People shouldn’t have to worry about how to pay for the water they need, but it’s a problem more households across NSW are currently facing. That is particularly true for the Broken Hill community, where water bills are some of the most expensive in the State, and water is critical to help deal with the dust impacts of mining. As cost-of-living pressures continue to mount, the NSW government has a vital role to play in supporting affordable access to water.
That’s why we support many of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) recommendations in its Draft Determination on Essential Water prices 2026-2031. This includes ongoing Government subsidy of Essential Water’s efficient costs. Our recommendations in response to the Draft include:
- that IPART reconsider its approach to bill increases and smooth implementation over the pricing period;
- that IPART reconsiders its decision to recover costs through increased fixed charges, and;
- supporting a more consistent approach on affordability measures water services across NSW, so similar households under stress in comparable areas receive similar support.
What’s next?
IPART will release its final report on Essential Water’s prices on July 1. We will continue to engage in this process and others to progress action on more consistent and effective supports for water affordability across NSW.
