Every few years, Victoria’s water corporations propose the prices we pay for water. Before they do, the Essential Services Commission (ESC), the state’s independent pricing regulator, sets the rules they must follow.
This year, Friends of Gippsland Lakes had its say, and the ESC listened.
In August, FOGL made a detailed submission on the ESC’s draft rules for the 2028 Water Price Review. Our key message was simple: with climate change making water scarcer, saving water is often the smartest and cheapest way to secure supply, and water businesses should never be penalised for doing it.
The final rules, released in September, reflect that. The ESC named FOGL in its final guidance. It also changed a new incentive scheme so that spending on water efficiency, leak detection and demand management in response to drought and other extreme events is recognised, not counted against a business.
The Commission also strengthened its expectations for community engagement, noting that some changes were made in response to FOGL and allied groups. Water businesses must now give people fair, balanced information when they consult. They must also include groups that speak for the wider community.
These rules apply to all 16 water corporations in the review, including East Gippsland Water, Gippsland Water, South Gippsland Water and Southern Rural Water.
Image: Snowy River 2008 drought
Not every recommendation was adopted. Our new report sets out what changed, what didn’t, and where we go next.
Thanks to the Concerned Waterways Alliance, whose analysis helped inform our submission, and to our members, whose support makes this work possible.
Read the full report: [link]