Fair Water Charges for ARC

Say no to unfair price hikes for low water users
If the 2027/27 price rises go ahead, the lowest half of water users supplied by Armidale Regional Council (ARC) will have suffered a totally unfair 75% bill hike since the drought, compared to a much lower 43% for the 176 highest water users, for whom ARC wants to spend half a billion dollars on a new water supply. 

Make a 'Have your say' submission or talk to elected councillors asking them to reverse the unfair price hikes for low water users

High water users can afford to pay their fair share
Most of ARC's high water users can afford to pay their fair share. NSW-government institutions, profit-driven commercial enterprises or other organisations that don't pay rates are much better financially than single pensioners and low-income families.

$1,025/year before using any water is unfair in this cost-of-living crisis
20% of ARC households that in the most recent census had incomes below $650 per week ($33,800/year).  Sewer access fees are also increasing, so households in areas that could use the water and sewer systems will have to pay $1,025 per year, whether or not they are actually connected to the pipes.

Regulator IPART capped Sydney Water's access fees, implying low access fees are best practice
IPART capped Sydney Water's access charge at $96.09, noting stakeholders’ stated preference for cost increases to be put on the variable usage charge (rather than the fixed service charge) to support bill control and incentivize water conservation. Elected councillors are the regulators for ARC's water so it's important to talk to elected councillor or make a 'Have your say' submission if you want fairer charges.

NSW Government says best practice prices should encourage conservation
The NSW Government website advised that water pricing should “communicate clearly to customers about the financial and environmental effects of their water usage, encouraging them to use water resources wisely” The proposed charges in Armidale Regional Council's 2026/27 revenue policy of $400 per year for water access - more than 4 times the cap IPART set for Sydney water - and $625 per year for sewer) before using any water do the opposite.

Fairer charges will help us prepare for dry conditions & increase the chances of successful funding applications
Dry conditions are forecast for the next few months. ARC should heed IPART’s advice to Sydney water and encourage conservation, rather than adding to the cost-of-living crisis, by yet again imposing the highest bill increases on those who use the least water, many of whom will be single pensioners or families on low incomes. Adopting fairer, best-practice charges that encourage conservation, as advised on the NSW government website, and required by IPART as regulator for Sydney water, will increase the chances of obtaining funding for a new water supply.  

Only high water users benefit from a $500 million new water supply
Raising Malpas is a low-cost option to provide a secure supply of 3.69 GL/year, far more than the 2.4 GL that's been used in any year since the drought. However, ARC wants to spend $500 million on a new water supply that wouldn't be needed if the 176 high water users did no increase consumption in really dry years. 

Even with 90% external funding, water from Oaky will add at least $2 per kilolitre (kL) to the cost of water.  Implementing fairer charges over 2 years, guided by the willingness-to-pay consultation in late 2026 represents a win for all water users and the environment
Compared to the additional $2 per kL to in capital and operational costs for a new supply from Oaky, the initial cost to high water users of a 2-stage proposal for fairer water charges would cost high water users just 40 cents per kL more and result in lower bills for 9,406 of ARC's 11,647 users (81%) as well as long-term benefits for all water users and for the environment.

More information: see this 2-page sheet or this Facebook page.