Pumped irrigation capital can be categorised into the following areas:

• Pump station, rising mains, storage tanks
• Pipelines
• Service points

Our asset management practices ensure that we make efficient decisions around the replacement of our assets based on sound data, information, risk and customer insights.

Changes from current capital program

Modernised Woorinen system

Many of the original meters installed on the Woorinen system in 2001/02, are approaching end of life simultaneously and require replacement. This first generation replacement will see additional investment of approximately $4 million over the next eight years (beyond this, replacements are expected to be more spread out as the failure rates become more evenly distributed over time).

Capital for Nyah and Tresco are forecast to remain stable for the next pricing period however future capital forecast are expected to increase significantly and we will undertake a future service strategy and tariff review.

Both the Nyah and Tresco districts have seen significant land and water use changes since they were established in the 1960s and 70s.

Investigations undertaken in 2015 highlighted that ageing infrastructure and therefore the associated viability of the systems in to the future needed to be reviewed. Infrastructure failure leaving customers without water was highlighted as a significant risk.

With the potential need for significant cost within these districts to update infrastructure in the future, GMW plans to develop a future service strategy that will guide Nyah’s and Tresco’s service offering, the future of key infrastructure, and associated tariffs, in line with customers’ future needs.

Over the next four years, GMW plans to engage with customers and other stakeholders to develop the future service strategy.

Our operating costs are proposed to be largely unchanged over the next four years.

Minor variability could occur due to future energy price increases, and Nyah and Tresco may experience some small increases as these aged pipe systems experience increased leaks or bursts.

On average, Nyah customers can expect bill stability within 1%, plus CPI over the four year price period from 2024 to 2028.

Small customers

Small Nyah customers can expect a slight increase in the Customer Fee, however offsetting this there will be a decrease in the Service Point Fee (D&S), resulting in a slight reduction in their average bill.

Medium and large customers

Medium Nyah customers can expect an increase in the Local Operate Service Point Fee, and a decrease in the High Reliability Entitlement Storage Fee and Service Point Fee (D&S), offsetting any increases, resulting in price stability in their average bill.

On average, Tresco customers can expect an average bill increase of up to 3%, plus CPI each year, for the four year price period from 2024 to 2028.

Small customers

Small Tresco customers can expect an increase in the Infrastructure Access Fee and Customer Fee offset slightly by a reduction in the Entitlement Storage Fees and Service Point Fee (D&S).

Medium and large customers

Medium and large Tresco customers can expect an increase in the Infrastructure Access Fee and Local Operate Service Point Fee (large customers only). While there will be a small offset through a decrease in the Entitlement Storage Fees, it will not be enough to offset the full increase.

Small customers

Small Woorinen customers can expect a slight reduction in their average bill, plus CPI, for the four year period from 2024-2028. This is due to a decrease in the Infrastructure Access Fee and Service Point Fee (D&S), offset by a slight increase in the Customer Fee.

Medium and large customers

Medium and large Woorinen customers can expect an average bill increase between 2-6%, plus CPI each year, for the four year price period 2024-28.

These increases are a direct result of planned capital spend on the replacement of the modernised service points installed in 2001/02, resulting in an increase in the Local Operate Service Point Fee (increase varies between medium and large customers).

While Entitlement Storage Fees will decrease for medium and large Woorinen customers, they will only slightly offset price increases, resulting in an overall increase in their average bill.