Increased transparency for water customers

By Jamie Salter

Jan 27, 2020

Water customers will receive increased transparency from monopoly water infrastructure operators in the Murray-Darling Basin, as a result of changes to the water charge rules.

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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Agriculture Unit said from July 1, operators will be required to include certain charges on their schedule or bill.

The rules also set limits on termination fees that may apply to customers exiting an irrigation network.

These changes, announced by Water Minister David Littleproud on April 3, 2019, were based on advice from the ACCC in 2016.

A statement from the ACCC's Agriculture Department said they have developed an example schedule of charges, to show infrastructure operators and their customers the content included under the amended rules.

“The new changes will to allow customers to more easily understand their water bills,” the ACCC said.

“We will be producing further guidance on termination fees and frequently asked questions.”

The example schedule of charges and other information is on the ACCC website at: www.accc.gov.au/regulated-infrastructure/water/water-charge-rules

For queries on the changes to the water charge rules, email: water@accc.gov.au

By Jamie Salter

Journalist