Agriculture 64% Other industries 7% Households 9% Energy supply 3% Key challenges and opportunities Jobs and economic growth in Victoria must keep pace with our rapidly growing population. Water is a key input for many industries. Limits on access to reliable, safe and affordable water and wastewater services can significantly impact business viability, with knock-on effects for jobs and the economy. Victoria’s water sector plays an important role supporting the state’s economic performance. The importance of this role will increase as we face the challenges of climate change and population growth. We will require innovative new approaches to meet these challenges. This will also create new opportunities to export our expertise nationally and internationally. Partnerships between the public sector, including the water corporations and catchment management authorities, and the private sector will be required to realise these opportunities. A better understanding of customer and community needs, together with good governance, will ensure that our water sector continues to provide high quality water services. In the longer-term, a better approach to community engagement and enhanced planning processes will make sure the community is consulted on new infrastructure investment and that there are no price shocks for customers. Affordability Water, wastewater and environmental services must remain affordable for all customers as we meet the challenges of climate change and population growth. Urban and regional water corporation bills in Victoria are generally below the Australian average. The government expects bills to remain stable in the coming years. The efficiencies underpinning the current government water rebate and reductions in water corporation debt will be the starting point for setting prices for July 2018 onwards. Investment in infrastructure to provide services to homes and businesses, to deliver environmental protection and recreational benefits, and to adapt to climate change, will create upward pressure on costs. This will be balanced by downward pressure on cost as the water sector continues to deliver efficiency through shared services and smarter procurement, innovative lower-cost technologies and processes, greater interconnection of water resources and reduced red tape. An improved governance and performance framework will make sure the sector finds further opportunities to control cost.
Agriculture 64% Other industries 7% Households 9% Energy supply 3% Key challenges and opportunities Jobs and economic growth in Victoria must keep pace with our rapidly growing population. Water is a key input for many industries. Limits on access to reliable, safe and affordable water and wastewater services can significantly impact business viability, with knock-on effects for jobs and the economy. Victoria’s water sector plays an important role supporting the state’s economic performance. The importance of this role will increase as we face the challenges of climate change and population growth. We will require innovative new approaches to meet these challenges. This will also create new opportunities to export our expertise nationally and internationally. Partnerships between the public sector, including the water corporations and catchment management authorities, and the private sector will be required to realise these opportunities. A better understanding of customer and community needs, together with good governance, will ensure that our water sector continues to provide high quality water services. In the longer-term, a better approach to community engagement and enhanced planning processes will make sure the community is consulted on new infrastructure investment and that there are no price shocks for customers. Affordability Water, wastewater and environmental services must remain affordable for all customers as we meet the challenges of climate change and population growth. Urban and regional water corporation bills in Victoria are generally below the Australian average. The government expects bills to remain stable in the coming years. The efficiencies underpinning the current government water rebate and reductions in water corporation debt will be the starting point for setting prices for July 2018 onwards. Investment in infrastructure to provide services to homes and businesses, to deliver environmental protection and recreational benefits, and to adapt to climate change, will create upward pressure on costs. This will be balanced by downward pressure on cost as the water sector continues to deliver efficiency through shared services and smarter procurement, innovative lower-cost technologies and processes, greater interconnection of water resources and reduced red tape. An improved governance and performance framework will make sure the sector finds further opportunities to control cost.