The Board has made the decision to raise the Fixed (Part C) charges by 3.5% to $52.44/ML ($1.77 increase) and Variable (Part D) will stay priced at $16.44/ML from April 1, 2027. The annual change was previously brought forward to April 1 to align with the water year and when the 6 monthly meter reads are done.
This increase is in line with the current CPI inflation rate as of July 2026 (3.5%) and the CPI forecast for the next 12 months is projected to remain elevated or peak near 4% to 4.8% due to lingering domestic pressures and energy subsidy expirations. The Board has acknowledged that although EICL have managed to reduce our operational costs over the past 6 years, we have reached a point where any further cost savings will be more difficult to achieve.
The Government has committed to the 15% discount on Sunwater irrigation charges until the end of the 26/27 year. It is not expected to be continued beyond that, based on feedback from the Minister.
Austin Evans
General Manager