Final decision on pricing submission
In June 2023 the Essential Services Commission released its final decision on Westernport Water’s price submission. The final decision completes a review of the maximum prices that Westernport Water may charge for its services for a five-year regulatory period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028.
The final decision follows a detailed proposal by Westernport Water, which was carefully scrutinised by the commission, and consultation with customers and the community on a draft decision released in December last year.
About our five year pricing plan
Every five years, Victorian water corporations are required to undertake a water price review by engaging customers about water and wastewater services, and the standards that customers desire from their water provider – balancing quality of outcomes with affordable prices.
Price reviews are overseen by the water industry regulator, the Essential Services Commission, who considers and approves each pricing proposal.
Over an 18-month engagement period we asked customers to tell us what they expected and valued most from their water provider. Overwhelmingly, customers told us they wanted affordable prices, quality drinking water, reliable and responsive services and climate change action now. So that’s what we propose to focus on in our next pricing period (2023-28).
Price Submission Highlights
New Customer Outcomes
Our new customer outcomes reflect the themes you told us were most important to you.
Our $42.28M capital improvements program will be invested across these six areas.
We’ll report on our performance against these customer shaped outcomes annually via the Annual Watermark.
Factsheets
Download one of our fact sheets to read a summary of our plans.
- Pricing Submission snapshot (PDF)
- Climate Change (PDF)
- Water Quality (PDF)
- Capital Projects (PDF)
- Customer Value (PDF)
Download the full price submission
- Westernport Water Price Submission 2023-2028 (large file– PDF 4MB)
Appendices:
- Customer Engagement Findings Appendix One (PDF)
- Deliberative Forums Pre-Reading Materials Appendix Two (PDF)
- Annual Watermark Brochures 2018-22 Appendix Three (large file PDF 4.4MB)
- Customer Fact Sheets Appendix Four (PDF)
- Deliberative Forum Summary Report Appendix Five (PDF)
- Independent Quality Assurance Approach (URA) Appendix Six (PDF)
Timeframe
Customer Engagement Journey
We are incredibly proud of our customers and their willingness to engage with us in record numbers to shape the future of their water and wastewater services.
Over 1,187 surveys, seven community events, four deliberative forums and six in-depth interviews were held to hear your views, expectations and priorities.
Thank you to everyone who had their say.
Phase 1 – Explore
July 2021 – December 2021
Using online surveys, our annual customer satisfaction phone survey and social media, we asked customers what they wanted, expected and needed from their water provider.
Phase 2 – Test
March 2022- July 2022
After listening to the feedback customers provided during phase 1 of our engagement program, we held a series of online forums and face-to-face consultations to delve deeper into the areas you told us were most important.
Phase 3 – Validate
September 2022 – November 2022
In this final phase, we’re closing the loop with customers and explaining how the final outcomes we plan to deliver are a direct result of customer feedback.
Essential Services Commission Consultation
October – December 2022
Once we’ve submitted our price submission to the Essential Services Commission (ESC), they will seek feedback from customers and stakeholders at multiple points throughout their price review process.
The first consultation period will open on Engage Victoria on Monday 3 October and will close on 1 December 2022.