Support for Canberrans as Icon Water freezes prices
Canberrans will see their combined water and sewerage price remain the same for 2020-21, as Icon Water announces a price freeze for 12 months from 1 July 2020. The freeze is one of several measures Icon Water has put in place to provide some relief to Canberra families and businesses through the coming months.
“This has been a really tough year for everyone, so we have been looking at ways we can support the Canberra community and make life a little easier for those who may be struggling,” said Ray Hezkial, Icon Water Managing Director.
The Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) sets prices for the ACT’s water and sewerage services and today announced the maximum approved price for 2020–21.
Water and sewerage prices reflect the costs associated with sustaining and renewing the ACT’s critical water and sewerage assets, comprising the ACT’s network of dams, water and sewerage treatment plants, reservoirs, pumping stations, mains and more, to ensure that Icon Water can continue to provide an essential service to the Canberra community.
“This year, due to increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and government charges, prices were set to increase by 1.5%, or around $18 a year, in the combined water and sewerage bill for a typical Canberra household (using 200kL of water per year).”
“However, in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the flow-on economic impacts Canberrans are now facing, Icon Water has decided to forego the price increase and will instead freeze the combined water and sewerage price, to provide some relief for our community through these challenging times,” he said.
The freeze is part of a customer support package Icon Water has implemented since March aimed at supporting both residential and small business customers who may be struggling financially, which includes:
- Flexible payment plans
- Payment extensions
- Personalised case management through the Staying Connected hardship program which has been expanded to include small business customers
- Temporary suspension of additional interest for overdue accounts
- Pause on credit collection activities
- Extensions to servicing frequencies for trade waste customers experiencing restricted trade.
Icon Water is also committed to continuing support of Lifeline, Menslink and other non-profit community support agencies through its Community Support Program.
“We recognise these are uncertain times for many Canberrans and we want to help where we can. We have a number of measures to provide support to those who are doing it tough, and we encourage people to reach out to us early on, if they need some support” said Mr Hezkial.
For more information on the price freeze, changes to the standard customer contract from 1 July and the full fees and charges for 2020-21, visit iconwater.com.au/prices.
For more information on how to access Icon Water’s customer support package, visit iconwater.com.au/help.