The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has today approved water bill increases of almost 50 per cent, excluding inflation, across many NSW valleys over the next four years, despite acknowledging that many customers have limited capacity to absorb them.
NSW Irrigators' Council CEO Dr Madeleine Hartley said IPART had ignored repeated warnings from customers and chosen to prioritise WaterNSW's financial position over the ability of farming businesses and regional communities to pay.
"IPART acknowledged customers cannot easily absorb higher costs, yet still approved a pricing path that materially increases them."
Among the worst hit valleys are the Border River, Lachlan Valley, and the North and South Coast, all seeing General Security price increases of over 46 per cent between now and 2030. General Security bills will increase to $43,099 in the Lachlan, $38,780 in the North Coast, and $52,503 in the South Coast, representing an increase of over $12,000 in each valley.
"This is simply unaffordable. IPART's own report admits higher water charges will accelerate farm exits."
Dr Hartley said that water is not a discretionary input. Farmers cannot shop around, cannot easily pass on costs, and cannot absorb unlimited price increases.
"Every extra dollar spent on unavoidable water charges is a dollar not spent employing local contractors, upgrading machinery, supporting local businesses or investing in regional communities.
"IPART exists to stand between monopoly providers and captive customers. Today it failed."
