Today's announcement from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has marked the start of a review that could hit families across Greater Sydney with a 50% increase in water bills. The review will assess Sydney Water's request for a steep rate hike to fund at least $26 billion in essential infrastructure and operational upgrades by 2030.
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said if approved by IPART and the Minns Labor Government, households would see water bills soar by over 50% within five years. This includes an 18% rise next year alone, followed by annual hikes of 6.8%.
"With families already struggling under the weight of rising costs for energy, groceries, and other essentials, they shouldn't be forced to shoulder the additional burden of funding infrastructure driven by the Albanese Labor Government's failed immigration policies," Mr Tudehope said.
"Chris Minns should be on the phone to the Prime Minister, demanding a real solution instead of passing the bill onto Sydney households."
Sydney Water's submission highlights the need for $16.6 billion in new infrastructure, primarily in Sydney's west, to support the surge in population growth driven by these very immigration policies.
Shadow Water Minister Steph Cooke said the Premier, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, and Water Minister Rose Jackson need to devise a solution that doesn't involve skyrocketing water bills for everyday families.
"This is not a small rise—under Sydney Water's proposal, the average household could see water bills increase by hundreds of dollars each year," Ms Cooke said.
"Sydney's infrastructure needs to keep up, but that's not a job for struggling households. Chris Minns must ask Canberra to cover these costs, not pass them on to Sydney families."
With the IPART decision expected in March 2025, the clock is ticking. Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, and Water Minister Rose Jackson have just five months to secure federal support for families, instead of squeezing more out of Sydney households in an attempt to balance the budget and meet federal housing targets.
