THE typical household water and sewerage bill in Ipswich will increase by 5.2 per cent from July 1 adding just over $19 to a typical residential quarterly bill.
Urban Utilities CEO Paul Arnold recognised ongoing cost of living pressures were impacting many in the community and said they had kept their 2023/24 prices as low as possible.
“We know cost of living is on everyone’s minds and we’ve continued to work hard to keep bills as low as we can, but with high inflation many of our costs have increased,” he said. “Our commitment to our customers remains as strong as ever – clean, safe water every day, 24/7 crews, our local contact centre, supporting vulnerable customers and protecting our environment.
“The price change is needed to make sure we can continue to deliver reliable services to our customers, while also renewing our vast network and investing in essential infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing communities both now and into the future.” Mr Arnold said Urban Utilities would invest around $52 million in essential water and wastewater infrastructure in the Ipswich region in 2023/24.
“This will include $3 million for renewing water pipes in Ipswich,” he said.
“We will also be continuing our major multi-year $65 million project to upgrade the sewerage pump stations in Tantivy Street, Tivoli and Hanlon Street, Bundamba to cater for growth.”
Mr Arnold said support was also available for any customers who might be experiencing difficulty in paying their bill.
“We encourage anyone having difficulty to get in touch with us, as we have a range of assistance options available including interest-free payment extensions and flexible payment plans,” he said. Customers can contact Urban Utilities online or by phoning 13 26 57 (8am to 5pm weekdays).
