Water Rates
Water Connection Charges
Water connection is a fixed charge which funds having treated water to your property.
You will be charged per meter connected to your property.
| 2026/27 | |
|---|---|
| The annual water connection charge per metered connection | $267.70 |
Water Consumption Charges
Water consumption is charged on a user pays basis i.e. you pay for the amount of water you use. It is a stepped charge for each cubic metre of water used.
The step charges for water consumption per cubic meter for water consumption for 2025/2026 (including GST) are:
| 2026/27 | |
|---|---|
Step One - Consumption up to 200 cubic metres | $4.70 |
Step Two - Consumption 200 - 400 cubic metres | $3.38 |
Step Three - All consumption over 400 cubic metres | $2.88 |
Rates instalment dates and annual charges
Extraordinary Water Use
An Extraordinary Water Use rate is charged for purposes other than permanent metered connections, such as tankered water and contractor use of hydrants. The rate is $9.40/m³ (incl. GST), 2 times the current urban treated water rate.
A permit must be applied for:
Wastewater Treatment Charges
Wastewater rates cover the cost to process everything that goes down your sinks, showers and toilets into water that can be safely discharged back into the environment.
You will be charged for wastewater if your property is within 30 metres of a wastewater main belonging to a council wastewater scheme. The annual charges vary as follows:
| 2026/27 | |
|---|---|
| Unconnected rating units annual charge per rating unit | $565.33 |
| Connected rating units annual charge per wastewater pan | $1,130.66 |
- Unconnected: The Council sets an annual charge on each separately used or inhabited part of all rating units not connected to a council wastewater scheme but with part of a boundary within 30 metres of a wastewater main belonging to a council wastewater scheme.
- Connected: The Council sets an annual charge per wastewater pan on each separately used or inhabited part of all rating units connected to a council wastewater scheme. Rating units used primarily as a residence for one household will be treated as having one pan.
Keeping Water Bill Costs Down
The water connection charge is fixed, but you can help to bring your water consumption costs down by using less water. Smart Water has lots of suggestions for using water wisely in the home, the garden and on the farm.
View our useful information on: Smart Water Use
If your water consumption charges are high, check for water leaks.
Water Rates and Rental Properties
Responsibilities of the Ratepayer
The property owner is responsible for paying water rates accounts, as per the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. Therefore in the case of a rental property it is the landlord's responsibility to ensure payment of the account is received by Council.
Final Water Bill Reading
Special water invoices for landlords and property managers with a change of tenancy or lease are no longer available. You will need to take a final meter reading, then, based on the reading from the previous bill and the consumption rates listed above, calculate what is owing.
