Water price rise revealed

Unitywater customers will see a below-CPI increase to their water and sewerage charges from July 1.

The typical residential customer bill is to increase by 5.9 per cent or $22.50 per quarter.

Unitywater Chief Executive Officer Anna Jackson said the rise reflected the utility’s increased costs.

“Like every other home and business owner managing their budget, we’re seeing the impact of inflation on the unavoidable costs of operating our essential services,” Ms Jackson said.

“We’ve sought to balance the cost-of-living pressures felt by our customers, with the need to maintain our essential services that protect public health and enable wider economic growth.”

In addition to operating the water and sewerage networks, a customer contact centre and providing 24/7 fault response and treating and recycling water, Unitywater bills collect State Government bulk water charges for maintaining catchments and turning bulk water into safe, clean drinking water.

“Over the coming five years we will invest $1.8 billion to renew and expand our extensive networks to cater for our growing population including upgrades to sewerage treatment plants, and new infrastructure for the Aura and Harmony communities on the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture West in Moreton Bay,” Ms Jackson said.

“We’re also implementing projects that support and improve our waterways, including the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme which will provide long-term water security for the agricultural community while sustainably managing wastewater from the South Caboolture Wastewater Treatment Plant.”

Ms Jackson said a range of measures would continue to be made available to customers who need support managing their bills.

“Anyone’s circumstances can change over time,” she said. “Our local contact centre is available to help, whether you need one-off or ongoing assistance.”

Customers can access measures like extra time to pay, paying smaller more regular payments and personalised payment plans, by calling 1300 086 489 or visiting unitywater.com/pricing.

Unitywater’s prices are available online at unitywater.com/pricing and will be applied to bills arriving from July 1, 2023.