EICL Prices for 2025-26

C (fixed) and D (variable) both up by 1% commencing April 1, 2025

The Board has made the decision to raise the Fixed (Part C) and Variable (Part D) charges by 1% to $49.68/ML and $16.12/ML respectively from April 1, 2025.  The annual change has been brought forward to align with the water year and when the 6 monthly meter reads are done.  Consequently, this notice is made before October 1, 2024, to meet the 6 months’ notice requirement that is set out in the Co-operative Rules.

This increase is considerably less than the CPI for the last 12 months (3.8%) and also less than the CPI forecast for the next 12 months (around 3%).  This is also around 20% less than the price path that would have been expected from SunWater.  The Board has deliberately kept the increase low based on the improved financial performance of the Co-operative (approaching breakeven) and to encourage further efficiency improvements in the business.

Note that the invoice that will be sent out shortly will have the Variable charge at the 2023-24 rate as the usage spans across 2 quarters with the previously announced rise due to occur in the middle of that 6-month period.

We still have no clarity from the government or opposition on the 15% discount on irrigation charges that expires at the end of the 24/25 year.  The State election is in October 2024 and the QCA should have their final report published by November 2024.  We may have better clarity after that.