IPART has today announced the maximum prices that Central Coast Council can charge for water and wastewater services from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
A typical household’s yearly bill for water and wastewater services will increase by 5.5%.
This will be about $82 for an average bill, based on 170 kilolitres of water usage per year.
The average bill will increase to $1,565 in 2026-27.
The 1-year determination will remove the current stormwater drainage charge from the water rates but it will now be charged with the residential rates bill.
IPART will begin its next review of maximum prices for Central Coast Council’s water and wastewater services immediately to inform a new determination to take effect from July 1, 2027.
The one year ruling comes after ratepayer Kevin Brooks raised issues about IPART using consultants who had worked as contractors for council
Today, after hearing the news, Mr Brooks called on council to withdraw its 2027 application.
“A 5.5% increase in water prices, combined with the transfer out of drainage charge, means total water bills should fall from 1st July,” he said.
“Given that Council’s original application for an 11.9% hike is now discredited, I call on all Councillors to withdraw this application altogether rather than seeking to re-pursue it in 2027.
“Water rates have already increased 58% in four years, without any improvement in service as measured by customer satisfaction ratings, so there can be no justification for further price hikes in the near future.”
He said it was disappointing that, despite acknowledging conflicts of interest in their previous pricing process, IPART refused repeated requests from ratepayers to discuss in advance the methodology they intended to use for this determination.
“There needs to be greater transparency and proper engagement with ratepayers both in the upcoming independent investigation into IPART’s process, and in the process to be used from 2027,” Mr Brooks said.
“There are still too many unanswered questions.”
Council said it accepts IPART’s determination, although it is disappointed with just a single year determination.
“As previously advised, following more than 18 months of detailed work, IPART advised it would not proceed with a multi year determination in June 2026. Instead, it would issue a 1 year pricing determination for the period 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, with a further review to determine prices from 2027 onwards,” Council said.
Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said while IPART’s determination will mean less revenue for Council’s Water and Sewer business over the next year, Council’s financial robustness means that any deficit can be managed through funding reserves.
“Council has a multi-million dollar planned works program focused on both upgrading and building new water and sewer infrastructure on the Central Coast to ensure reliability and sustainability for the community.
“We intend to continue with this commitment to community and are confident that through the sound financial management of Council, it can be delivered,” Mr Farmer said.
Council had applied for an increase that would have seen prices increase by about 12% when inflation was included.
The process was disrupted when resident Kevin Brooks raised questions about IPART’s use of contractors who had worked for Council.
IPART said it will hold an inquiry into the issues raised after questions were raised in State Parliament.
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