With many residents facing financial pressures, due to the rising cost-of-living, Hunter Water is determined to assist its customers.
In fact, the state-owned corporation encourages locals to “get in touch” with it if they need help paying their water bills, with a range of assistance programs and support services available.
Hunter Water will also spend $20 million to enhance those initiatives from 1 July.
“Next month, typical residential water and wastewater bills will increase by 7.5%, or about $30 per billing cycle,” executive manager of customer services Matt Hingston said.
“But, we’re here to help if you’re experiencing difficulties because of cost-of-living pressures.
“We recognise the essential services we deliver to our customers and community.
“So, for anyone who may have trouble paying their water bill, we urge them to please contact us as we can work together to find the right support for you.
“Our non-residential customers, especially small businesses, are also encouraged to discuss their options and how we can tailor our help.”
Hunter Water is a regulated monopoly service provider with prices set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Consistent with IPART’s determination, they are adjusted with national Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom.
While bills will escalate from 1 July, there’ll be no further rise in customer prices this time next year, with the new prices applying until 30 June 2025.
For the next 24 months, the typical household’s combined water and wastewater bill will increase to $1,365 annually, while the standard pensioner’s bill will upturn to $727 per year.
The Pension Rebate will lift to $380 per eligible property per year (up from $354), a boost of $1.5 million across the Lower Hunter.
In the current financial year, Hunter Water’s Pension Rebate was provided to 46,000 Hunter households, with support totalling $17.3 million.
“Pensioners already registered with Hunter Water will automatically receive the increase,” Mr Hingston said.
“For those eligible customers who are not yet registered, contact us online or over the phone to enrol for the rebate.”
In addition, tailored support is available for anyone or water bill-paying private tenant experiencing financial difficulties, including payment extensions and flexible options such as the bill smoothing program called Easy Pay.
Plus, Hunter households have a large degree of influence over their water bills by controlling their water usage.
By continuing to Love Water with a WELS 3-star rated showerhead and by reducing shower time by two minutes, the average household could save more than 5,000 litres of water per person annually or nearly $15 per person per year in charges.
If you need assistance:
- Hunter Water Customer Contact Centre: 1300 657 657 or: www.hunterwater.com.au/assistance
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