East Gippsland Water customers will see their bills increase by an average of 4.6 per cent from this week, a move the water corporation states is required to fund one of the most significant infrastructure investment periods in its history.
The tariff adjustments, which officially took effect on July 1, 2026, are aligned with the pricing framework approved under the organisation’s 2023–28 Price Submission. The 4.6 per cent figure is calculated from the March Consumer Price Index (CPI) result plus an additional 0.5 per cent.
Under the new structure, the average residential customer bill will increase by $56.76 per year, while non-residential commercial customers will see an average annual increase of $151.27.
East Gippsland Water managing director Michael Wandmaker said the additional revenue would directly support the delivery of essential services and fund the critical infrastructure needed to secure the region’s future water supply.
“Providing water and wastewater services across a vast region that covers around 10 per cent of Victoria comes with unique challenges and significant responsibilities,” Mr Wandmaker said.
“We are committed to keeping customer bills as low as possible while ensuring we can continue to provide safe, reliable and high-quality services for our communities. Our focus is on striking the right balance between affordability, service reliability, long-term water security and the investment required to support future generations.”
Mr Wandmaker emphasised that the corporation’s operations are entirely customer-funded, meaning all local revenue is directly reinvested into maintaining, renewing, and upgrading vital pipeline and treatment infrastructure.
“Every dollar we receive from customers goes back into
operating and improving the services our communities rely on every day,” he said.
“This includes maintaining our extensive network of water and wastewater infrastructure, investing in water security initiatives and delivering major capital projects that will benefit our region for decades to come.”
Acknowledging the persistent cost-of-living pressures facing local households and small businesses, Mr Wandmaker urged any customers anticipating financial distress to engage with the utility provider early.
“We understand any increase in household expenses can be challenging and we encourage customers who may be experiencing financial difficulty to speak with us as early as possible,” he said.
“We have a range of support options available and will work with customers to find solutions that suit their individual circumstances.”
The new pricing schedule was implemented following formal approval by the East Gippsland Water Board.
