In the wake of today’s showdown with the Actew board Andrew Barr has announced plans to lower the cost of water and sewerage:
The ACT Government has supported the ICRC’s draft determination to provide relief from cost of living pressures on Canberra households by lowering water and sewerage bills in the Territory.
The ACT Government has provided its submission to the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission, in response to the Commission’s draft determination on water and sewerage pricing.
The Government welcomes the Commission’s proposed drop in water and sewerage bills. However, the Government considers that potential price changes should not undermine the considerable efforts and gains to date in water conservation in the ACT. There is the potential for longer term behavioural impacts and increasing water consumption from a significant downward price shock.