26 September 2006

WATER PRICES FOR MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION CUSTOMERS

NSW government charges
Murrumbidgee valley irrigators have been ordered by IPART to pick up extra bulk water charges of $2 million per year on behalf of Murray valley irrigators. The Company has no alternative but to pass that directly on to its customers.

This is incorporated in an increase of at least 17% in bulk water charges in the 2006-2007 year, for company customers, depending on usage. The NSW government has not yet approved the maximum rates, and we continue to seek fairness and recognition of the current state of the irrigation industry.

All company prices which incorporate these government charges will increase because of this rise.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation charges
Company water service charges for the 2006-2007 water year have been adjusted by minimum amounts, mindful of the current difficult conditions for customers.

Mirrool Creek Pumpers
Charges for annual allocation and carryover taken by customers who pump from Mirrool Creek will rise to $6.10 following the extra State government charges for bulk water for this year. These remain subject to agreed phase in arrangements.

Town water
Company charges will increase by 3%.

Horticultural user group
Company charges will now include group recovery of extra costs involved in maintaining a facility for winter watering, in line with customer requests. Based on last year's usage that will mean a rise in the usage charge of between 45 and 50 cents per megalitre used.

Large Area user group
Charges for large area usage will be impacted by modification of the upper and lower limits to the charging matrix. Based on last year sales, increases will be of the order of 10 or 11 cents per megalitre used.

Benerembah customers will have drainage channel operation & maintenance incorporated in their charges.