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Homeowners in South Australia will be hit with an average $85 a year increase in their water bills as government seeks to fund new water infrastructure needed for new housing.
The increase will be offset by concession holder relief applied directly to bills.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: SA homeowners hit by rising water bills.
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Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas said water bills would rise 3.5 percent above inflation in the next financial year as he plans to invest $1.5 billion in unlocking 40,000 homes.
This means that from July 1 households will pay an extra $21 per quarter for water.
About 190,000 concession card holders will receive $412 off their annual bill, a $50 increase on the existing relief they are currently entitled to.
Starting July 1, concession card holders’ water bills will increase by about $8 per quarter.
Malinauskas said if taxpayers were to cover the total infrastructure costs, their bills would increase by $440.
Instead, water infrastructure costs are split between SA Water customers, the SA Government and developers.
Malinauskas blamed previous governments for a lack of investment in water infrastructure to cope with housing demand.
“My government will no longer be kicking the can down the road,” he said.
The $1.5 billion spent on infrastructure will be used for mains water and sewer connections needed for new homes, particularly in Adelaide’s north.
More than 100,000 liters of sewage is currently being trucked in from Angle Vale, Riverley, Roseworthy and Virginia as homes have not been connected to the mains.
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