Water prices under spotlight

The State Government has ordered a review into water prices across South East Queensland, including the City of Moreton Bay.

The Government has directed the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to review Unitywater and Urban Utilities water prices in a bid to “help deliver more affordable water bills”.

A joint ministerial statement said: “The review will ensure water prices are fair and reflect the actual costs of providing services and will also encourage water service providers across South East Queensland (SEQ) to operate more efficiently, putting downward pressure on water bills for Queenslanders”.

The review will happen in two parts. Stage one will run until mid-2027 and focus on productivity, policy and cost-efficiency measures. Stage two will run from 2027-30 and take a detailed look at costs, service standards and pricing.

As part of the review, the QCA will work with Unitywater, Urban Utilities, shareholding SEQ councils, and Queenslanders.

Unitywater is jointly owned by Noosa Shire Council, Sunshine Coast Council and the City of Moreton Bay.

Urban Utilities is jointly owned by Brisbane City Council, Ipswich City Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, and Somerset Regional Council.

The statement says the “review process will be consistent with the approach used in pricing reviews of other monopoly businesses in the State, like SEQWater”.

Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates says the QCA review is overdue to “support transparency between water service providers and customers”.

“The last time the Queensland Competition Authority was directed to have a look at water pricing was more than a decade ago,” Minister Bates says.

Local Government and Water Minister Ann Leahy says the review will support the Government’s commitment to “help relieve cost-of-living pressures for Queenslanders while supporting water infrastructure growth across SEQ”.

“My number one priority is to ensure families are paying fair prices for water and sewerage services” Minister Leahy says.

“SEQ is growing quickly, and we need to make sure water service providers can support new housing developments while keeping bills affordable.

“The review will strike the right balance, ensuring water service providers can invest in infrastructure while being transparent about their costs.

“We look forward to reviewing the QCA’s findings in due course.”

More details on the review, including timelines and opportunities for the public to have their say, will be made available by the QCA.