Proposed changes to water and sewer pricing

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Armidale Regional Council is proposing a change to the way it charges for access to treated water and sewer. In summary, water access charges are proposed to increase while sewer access charges will decrease for businesses and large water users next financial year.

As part of the 2026-2027 budget process, a revision has been put in place to bring the water access charge in alignment with best practice pricing. Best practice water pricing is recommended by the regulatory body Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) via the NSW Strategic Planning and Pricing Guidelines for Water Utilities. It is seen as a fairer and more equitable way of providing access to the variety of water users in our region.


What’s changing?

Water charges are split into two components; access charges and user charges. The access charge represents a fixed portion of what a property will pay, and the variable component is represented by how much water is used.

Historically, all properties in our LGA have paid the same amount to connect (access) to the water and sewer services. The new access charge is proposed to change in line with the size of the service (the pipe) to which users are connected. This means that properties that require larger volume of water will pay more for access to that water than those that do not. Usage charges still apply and aim to reward efficient water use. The access charge simply covers the availability of the service delivery, not the volume used. Both components are needed to fund the system fairly and sustainably.


Designed to be fair and equitable

The changes to water and sewer access charges will occur over several financial years, with the first phase focusing on water access in the 2026-2027 financial year. The increases to water access fees will largely be offset by a reduction in sewer access fees, in this the first phase. The net effect of the increase in water access and decrease in sewer access fees will appear on your annual general rates notice in July 2026.

All water service connections range between 20mm up to 150mm in pipe size diameter. Residential connections are smaller and typically only having a single connection. All residents will have a flat fee at $400 per connection for 2026/2027 financial year. Alternatively, businesses may have multiple connections, and these may range from 20mm up to 150mm for some larger organisations in the LGA.


Submissions must be received by 11.59pm 16 June 2026

Should you wish to provide feedback on the policy and associated water charges, you can make a submission via the QR code below, by sending an email to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au with subject Changes to Water and Sewer Pricing, by mail to PO Box 75A, Armidale NSW 2350 or drop off your submission in person to either the Armidale or Guyra Council offices before 11.59pm on 16 June 2026.

Armidale Regional Council is proposing a change to the way it charges for access to treated water and sewer. In summary, water access charges are proposed to increase while sewer access charges will decrease for businesses and large water users next financial year.

As part of the 2026-2027 budget process, a revision has been put in place to bring the water access charge in alignment with best practice pricing. Best practice water pricing is recommended by the regulatory body Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) via the NSW Strategic Planning and Pricing Guidelines for Water Utilities. It is seen as a fairer and more equitable way of providing access to the variety of water users in our region.


What’s changing?

Water charges are split into two components; access charges and user charges. The access charge represents a fixed portion of what a property will pay, and the variable component is represented by how much water is used.

Historically, all properties in our LGA have paid the same amount to connect (access) to the water and sewer services. The new access charge is proposed to change in line with the size of the service (the pipe) to which users are connected. This means that properties that require larger volume of water will pay more for access to that water than those that do not. Usage charges still apply and aim to reward efficient water use. The access charge simply covers the availability of the service delivery, not the volume used. Both components are needed to fund the system fairly and sustainably.


Designed to be fair and equitable

The changes to water and sewer access charges will occur over several financial years, with the first phase focusing on water access in the 2026-2027 financial year. The increases to water access fees will largely be offset by a reduction in sewer access fees, in this the first phase. The net effect of the increase in water access and decrease in sewer access fees will appear on your annual general rates notice in July 2026.

All water service connections range between 20mm up to 150mm in pipe size diameter. Residential connections are smaller and typically only having a single connection. All residents will have a flat fee at $400 per connection for 2026/2027 financial year. Alternatively, businesses may have multiple connections, and these may range from 20mm up to 150mm for some larger organisations in the LGA.


Submissions must be received by 11.59pm 16 June 2026

Should you wish to provide feedback on the policy and associated water charges, you can make a submission via the QR code below, by sending an email to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au with subject Changes to Water and Sewer Pricing, by mail to PO Box 75A, Armidale NSW 2350 or drop off your submission in person to either the Armidale or Guyra Council offices before 11.59pm on 16 June 2026.

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Page last updated: 03 Jun 2026, 12:11 PM