Central Coast Council has recommended average residential water bills be reduced across the Central Coast from 1 July 2019, in its submission on the review of water, sewerage and stormwater drainage prices.

Council lodged the submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) on Friday 7 September 2018.

Council Senior Manager, Water and Sewer, Bileen Nel said Council was proposing to align prices across the two former local government areas, improve a number of key service levels and reduce the typical residential water bill.

“Price consistency across the Central Coast was a top priority for our community and we have listened to this feedback,” Ms Nel said.

“Our submission is also built around the top three values for these services identified by our community – reliability, value for money and efficiency.

“A number of capital works programs have been identified to improve water supply security for our region including an upgrade to the Mangrove Creek Dam spillway, which was highlighted by our community as a key consideration.”

The final submission to IPART demonstrates Council’s commitment to openness and transparency by detailing a four-year capital works program and agreed service levels to ensure the Central Coast community understands where and how their money is spent.

Council has recommended an alignment of prices for non-residential customers, which will result in a decrease in charges for some customers and an increase for others due to the way charges are applied.

IPART will now consider Council’s submission as part of the review and determination process, which provides opportunities for the community to provide feedback direct to IPART by 12 October 2018 or by attending IPART’s Public Hearing on 27 November 2018.

Ms Nel said Council would also conduct a number of community information sessions in September to provide further insight into how Council’s submission would affect the Central Coast community.

“I encourage all members of our community to take part in this process, read the documents available, attend our community information sessions and provide feedback direct to IPART.”

Council’s submission, details about the IPART consultation process and further details on Council’s community information sessions are available at yourvoiceourcoast.com/WaterPricing