The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is to hold a public forum next week (26 November) to seek community views about proposed changes to water pricing and sewerage services in Greater Sydney.
IPART said it was reviewing the prices Sydney Water can charge its five million customers across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains for water, wastewater (sewerage) and stormwater services from 1 July 2020.
The Tribunal said it had received an updated Pricing Proposal from Sydney Water following the release of its Issues Paper in September.
“Sydney Water is now seeking total capital expenditure of up to $5.5 billion,” an IPART statement said.
“Which is 20 per cent more than it sought in its 1 July proposal, and a 71 per cent increase on Sydney Water’s actual/forecast capital expenditure from the 2016-2020 determination period.”
“Overall, Sydney Water’s updated proposal will see typical residential bills increase by 2.5 per cent from 2020-21.”
IPART said Sydney Water had proposed significant increases in its expenditure to account for the changes in its operating context, including the ongoing impact of drought and the NSW Government’s planned expansion of the Sydney Desalination Plant.
Sydney Water’s updated pricing proposal, as well as information on how to register for the public hearing, can be accessed at this PS News link.