The Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has published an issues paper setting out its approach to investigating the prices of water and sewerage services in the ACT for the period 2023 to 2028.
According to the Commission it will be aiming to balance the economic, social and environmental considerations as required by the ACT Legislative Assembly while ensuring the regulated prices for the water and services reflect only the efficient and prudent costs of providing the services.
“We have identified some issues that we are seeking customer and community views on,” the Commission said.
It said that among those issues were affordability and price stability over the five-year period while making sure Icon Water has enough revenue to deliver the services customers want.
“We encourage all interested people to make submissions throughout the investigation process to help us understand community concerns and customer views on Icon’s proposal,” ICRC said.
“This issues paper is the first step in our consultation process.”
The Commission said it had two reasons for releasing the issues paper.
“The first is to alert stakeholders that we are undertaking an investigation into regulated water and sewerage prices and set out our approach for the investigation.
“The second is to inform stakeholders of the key issues we have identified as part of this investigation and seek their input on these issues and any others that they consider relevant.”
It said that after it releases its draft decision it will call for submissions and hold a public hearing to answer questions.
“We will release our final decision in May 2023.
”The Commission’s 35-page issues paper can be accessed at this PS News link with the closing date for submissions 8 April.
