Our proposed services and charges will be outlined in our 2026 Price Submission. This is under development, and covers the five-year period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031.

How we engaged with you and what we heard

Survey

In November 2024, we mailed all residents a letter and information pack with a link to a survey. This asked you to nominate your preferred prices and service levels from four different options. These ranged from keeping prices and services the same, through to a 50% increase in the precept rate and a corresponding increase in service levels.

We received 354 responses in total, from 297 individuals (some customers hold more than one property).

Community information session

On 12 May 2025, we held a community information session at the Koo Wee Rup Community Centre to further understand what matters most to customers.

Four interactive stations were set up to provide information about:

• maintaining local drains
• the precept rate and what it covers
• proposed pricing and service options to manage the drainage network in the District.

Attendees were asked to consider four pricing and service options, and vote for their preferred option. Of the 40 people who attended, 36 participated in the voting activity and four chose not to vote.

The key reasons customers chose Option 1 related to balancing affordability and improving the current service levels. Reducing flood risks was one of the key reasons customers were willing to pay more. This was also consistent with feedback we received from the November 2024 customer survey.

Next steps

Your feedback has helped us understand what matters most when considering future pricing and service levels for the precept rate.

You told us it is important that:

• Melbourne Water balances affordability with reducing flood risks, particularly for low-income households
• Fairness and equity matter, with some customers calling for a fairer distribution of costs with communities bordering the District
• The right maintenance activities are prioritised to reduce flood risks
• Communication is regular and transparent, and you would like more information about how the precept charge is spent and what it funds.

Your feedback will help finalise our 2026 Price Submission, so prices remain fair and services reflect community expectations.

Keep informed and in touch

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If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact us:

• email [email protected]
• telephone 131 722.