Goulburn-Murray Water is setting up a customer reference group to look into the fees it charges for diversion customers, following a direction from the Essential Services Commission.
The commission, which has a role in approving water charges, didn’t accept G-MW’s proposed service point fees for unmetered customers and reduced the proposed fees for the 2024-25 year.
A group of unregulated diversion customers in the upper catchment has submitted a challenge to the commission’s determination through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and is now waiting on a response to see if their case has been accepted.
G-MW is now calling for expressions of interest for customers wanting to be part of a reference group.
The water corporation is undertaking a Diversions Cost Review to ensure full transparency and accountability and assess the underlying data that determines the service’s costs.
G-MW diversions groundwater and streams manager Peter Clydesdale said customer feedback would play a key part in the review.
“To support the review, we are looking to establish a customer reference group,” he said.
“This group will be involved in the review at key times and provide feedback on the review’s direction and deliverables.”
In addition to the customer reference group, the review will capture data for the activities associated with G-MW providing its diversions services.
Mr Clydesdale encouraged diversions customers to apply to be part of the reference group.
“The group will represent all types of diversions customers, including large, medium and small customers from the regulated, unregulated and groundwater services.
“It’s a great chance for customers to provide their feedback and have a meaningful impact on how diversions fees and charges are determined.”
The Diversions Cost Review Customer Reference Group is expected to hold about four meetings between August 2024 and February 2025.
Group members are eligible for payment and reimbursement of expenses.
Group members are not permitted to talk to journalists, the media or members of parliament on matters related to the group unless approved by G-MW.
Expressions of interest for the group close on Wednesday, July 31.
The application form can be found at: https://yoursay.gmwater.com.au/diversions-cost-review
To access a hard-copy form, phone G-MW on 1800 013 357.