IPART is reviewing the maximum prices that Central Coast Council can charge for its water and wastewater services from 1 July 2026.
Today IPART has released an Issues Paper seeking community feedback on the council’s pricing proposal, which is published on IPART’s website.
Tribunal Chair Carmel Donnelly said, “We are keen to hear what residents, businesses and stakeholders think about the proposed prices, including feedback on affordability, value for money, quality of services and how well customers have been consulted by Central Coast Council on its pricing proposal.”
Central Coast Council has proposed prices that would increase the annual bill for a typical household by 8.0% in the first year (plus inflation), followed by annual increases for inflation only in each of the following 4 years. IPART will assess whether the proposed prices are justified so that customers pay only what the council needs to efficiently deliver its services to customers.
“We will carefully consider the impacts of the pricing proposal on household budgets, service standards, the environment, and the economy more broadly, as well as what an efficient water business would need to deliver safe, reliable, quality water services. Our review will include examining how Central Coast Council proposes to invest in and maintain critical infrastructure, so customer and community expectations are met efficiently,” said Ms Donnelly.
Ms Donnelly encouraged customers and the community to provide feedback on the pricing proposal by making a submission to our Issues Paper or completing our Have Your Say survey by 28 November 2025. Stakeholders can also register on our website to attend the online public hearing on 20 November 2025.
IPART will consider all comments made through submissions, survey responses, and at the public hearing before releasing a Draft Report seeking further community feedback in early March 2026.
The maximum prices IPART sets will apply from 1 July 2026.
Media Contact: Mark O’Brien
0427 105 865