TasWater proposes almost 40pc price hike over four years to fund infrastructure upgrades
TasWater has released a new Price and Service Proposal, which has flagged a yearly price increase of 8.8 per cent from 2026 to 2030.
Its proposal would need to be approved by the Tasmanian Economic Regulator, which may send it back for changes before it is implemented.
TasWater said the average household would pay an annual bill of $1,407 in the next financial year, rising steadily to $1,929, or a $522 increase, by financial year 2030.
TasWater's general manager of customer and community, Matt Balfe, acknowledged the decision would not be popular, but said the state's sewerage network needed significant investment.
"This is a network that spills too often, that is discharging to the environment in an unacceptable fashion," he told ABC Radio.
"Unfortunately, the investment required is large. We're looking at $1.7 billion over the next four years."
Tasmania's Council of Social Services (TasCOSS) chief executive Adrienne Picone said the proposed hike would put more pressure on household budgets.
"Significant increases in the price of water and sewerage services could contribute to higher rents and water costs for private rental tenants, whose landlords have the option to pass on the increased costs," she said.
Ms Picone called on the state government to provide more support to those living on low incomes.
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