Price Review 2019

Recently, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) reviewed our 2020-25 Pricing Proposal Proposal and invited community comment. The issues and suggestions raised by the community have been considered and responded to by Hunter Water in the Response to IPART Issues Paper.
Following public comment on the pricing proposal, IPART will review and make a draft determination in March 2020. There will be another opportunity for public feedback at this time. Learn more about the pricing submission here.
Recently, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) reviewed our 2020-25 Pricing Proposal Proposal and invited community comment. The issues and suggestions raised by the community have been considered and responded to by Hunter Water in the Response to IPART Issues Paper.
Following public comment on the pricing proposal, IPART will review and make a draft determination in March 2020. There will be another opportunity for public feedback at this time. Learn more about the pricing submission here.
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What happened at the public hearing
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link02 Dec 2019Presentation slides and a transcript from the Public Hearing are available on IPART's website.
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You're invited to a public hearing on 19 November 2019
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link05 Nov 2019You can let IPART know your views on Hunter Water's proposal in person on 19 November 2019.
There are two opportunities, both at Harbourview Function Centre, 150 Wharfs Road, Newcastle.
10:30 am to 2:30 pm Public Hearing
IPART prefers that you register to attend. You can register on their website by clicking here.
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm Drop-in Session
You can simply show up. No need to register.
IPART will publish a draft report in March 2020 which will also call for submissions.
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Click here for an outline of Hunter Water's response to the IPART Issues Paper
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link05 Nov 2019Snapshot of our 2020-25 Pricing Proposal:
- $424 million on wastewater system improvements to service growth in the region and to minimise the environmental impacts
- $259 million on water supply improvements to service growth, reduce leakage and renew assets
- Investments in recycled water and energy efficiency projects
- Water conservation programs including Love Water and programs to reduce leakage.
Customer input on our services and service standards informed our submission.
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Residents would pay more to save | Newcastle Herald (Jul 23, 2019 )
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link25 Jul 2019
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Hunter Water investing in its customers and community
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link02 Jul 2019We plan to invest more than $871 million in its infrastructure, technology and services over the next five years, while maintaining one of the lowest bills in the country.In our 2020-25 Pricing Proposal to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), Hunter Water has outlined its intention to make significant capital investments in upgrading the region’s water and wastewater systems, as well as continuing to focus on water conservation initiatives and reducing leakage. If approved, it would be the biggest capital spend since 2011.Hunter Water Acting Chief Executive Officer Darren Cleary said the proposal reflects Hunter Water’s commitment to deliver even better services, while offering value for money for its customers.“We believe we have the balance right in terms of investing more in our infrastructure and services to maintain efficient and high quality services for our customers while keeping costs down.“Over the next five years, Hunter Water is proposing to spend $424 million, or half of its total investment, on improving and upgrading the wastewater system to service growth in the region and to minimise the impact of our wastewater system on the environment.This will ensure we can reliably service our fast-growing region into the future and will also help drive even better environmental outcomes by maintaining the health of our waterways.“Among the major infrastructure investment is $259 million in our water supply system to service growth, reduce leakage, renew assets and ensure the continued delivery of safe, high quality drinking water.“In addition, we will continue to focus on driving down water consumption through our Love Water campaign and invest in recycled water and energy efficiency projects.“Even with significant investment in our capital program, if approved, we’ll maintain one of the lowest bills in the country. We anticipate the bill of an average household would increase by approximately $60 per year, or $1.15 per week.“Hunter Water is here to serve our community, and we believe our level of investment will help avoid longer term price increases and will improve the service and experience for our customers,” said Mr Cleary.IPART will review Hunter Water’s proposal and undertake a public consultation process, with customers and community members encouraged to give feedback. It will release a draft determination in March 2020.For more information visit www.hunterwater.com.au/priceproposal. -
Survey tells us our customers are willing to pay more for community projects
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link07 Mar 2019Our largest ever residential customer survey has shown that our customers are willing to pay more for projects that benefit the community.
More than 70 per cent of respondents said they would be willing to pay for discretionary services such as landscaping around drains, carbon reduction, stormwater harvesting, wastewater recycling for irrigation of public parks and targeted water conservation programs.
However, customers were less willing to pay for projects they perceived would benefit businesses and industry.
This community survey helps us to better understand our customers’ needs and incorporate these into our planning. It shows there is a community appetite for us to deliver projects that go beyond water and wastewater infrastructure.
Our challenge is to balance the competing demands of providing a higher level of service, particularly in relation to environmental and liveability projects, while keeping water bills low.
These survey results will inform our price submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Learn more about the 2019 Price Review.
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Residential customer survey on price structures
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link03 Dec 2018We asked for your views on the way we structure our prices via sn online survey being run by Woolcott Research. The survey for residential customers has now closed.
Your feedback will be used in a review by the independent regulator (IPART) to help set prices for Hunter Water customers from 2020.
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Project Update - November 2018
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link15 Nov 2018Hunter Water is currently considering possible investments in water, wastewater, stormwater, urban amenity and other services for the period between 2020 and 2025.In mid-2018 we asked our customers to give us a clearer idea of the investment choices that they think we should make.Some investments are needed in order to comply with regulations and standards set by government. Our survey focused on investments that we think our customers may like us to make to help create the region our communities desire.The survey results show that most residential customers are willing to pay for Hunter Water to provide some higher liveability and environmental service standards between 2020 and 2025.Read more in the a two-page summary (see link under Related Documents on the right hand side of the screen).
Key Dates
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March 2020
Click on the image to learn more
Project Stages
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Customer engagement and consultation
Price Review 2019 has finished this stageWe engaged specifically with customers to provide guidance on the services we provide, activities we perofrm and prices we propose our customers pay in 2020-25.
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Pricing proposal available to public
Price Review 2019 has finished this stageOur pricing proposal was lodged with IPART on 1 July 2019 and is available for public review. It sets out our proposed expenditure programs and prices for the regulatory period commencing 1 July 2020.
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IPART Issues Paper seeking stakeholder views
Price Review 2019 has finished this stageIPART released an Issues Paper on 17 Sep 2019. It summarises the key information in our pricing proposal, sets our IPART's preliminary positions, identifies key issues for the review and invites public feedback from all parties with an interest in Hunter Water's services and prices.
There were 55 submissions, including one from Hunter Water. The majority of these published on IPART's website
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Public hearing
Price Review 2019 has finished this stageIPART held a public hearing about Hunter Water's prices on Tuesday 19 Nov 2019, followed by a drop-in session.
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Draft prices
Price Review 2019 is currently at this stageIPART will publish draft prices in March 2020 and invite submissions from the public.
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Price determination
this is an upcoming stage for Price Review 2019In mid June 2020, IPART will publish Hunter Water's prices to apply from 1 July 2020.
Related Documents
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Hunter Water's Response to IPART Issues Paper (4 MB) (pdf)
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Willingness to pay survey feedback to community (178 KB) (pdf)
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Fact Sheet - Hunter Water price review 2016 - residential customers (114 KB) (pdf)
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Fact Sheet - Hunter Water price review 2016 - non-residential customers (97.1 KB) (pdf)
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Price Determination - July 2016 to June 2020 (764 KB) (pdf)