Fees & Charges

All service costs are listed in our annual Schedule of Fees and Charges 2025/26.

Or read our Rural Fees and Charges for 2025/26 here.

Don't have time to read all the details? Read a summary of our new fees and charges here. 

Determining what you pay for your water and sewerage services requires careful planning.

Our five-year Price Submission 2023-2028 explains our charges, service levels and works programs. Our customers helped to shape our plans and prices for the current five year period through an 18-month community engagement program.

Our Price Submission was then reviewed and approved by the Essential Services Commission, the independent Victorian water sector regulator.

As a 100% customer-funded business, it's an important process to get right. It ensures our customers are actively involved in shaping our plans for the future, and that our service standards and proposed prices are fair for everyone.

Learn more about the extensive PS23 process and read our submission at Connect Coliban.
 

Water and sewer prices will increase by an average 4.5% this year. This figure consists of a price adjustment of 2.5% endorsed by the Essential Services Commission, plus inflation. 

For the average owner-occupier, bills will increase by approximately $1.34 per week (including inflation) to $1,631.80 per year. This time last year, the average owner-occupier household received a bill increase of approximately $1.74 per week. 

The average bill for a renter will increase by approximately $0.38 per week to $517.98 per year, as renters only pay for usage, not water or sewer access charges.

Prices will increase in a phased approach between now and 2028, to ensure the ongoing delivery of our core business.

Why is my bill increasing?

Our core business is to provide safe drinking water, recycled water, rural water and sewage services for public health and the environment, so that our communities can sustain themselves. 

Our prices have been steady or declining over recent years, and as we enter the second year of our current pricing period, significant intergenerational investment is required to prepare now for our changing future – particularly our growing population and the impacts of climate change.

Our region remains at a critical point in its water supply and demand. 

We continue to navigate a rapidly changing environment, whilst planning for the future. A continued modest increase to our fees and charges for the 2025/26 financial year will help us meet these challenges.

We have a range of tools and examples to help you understand your bills here.

As a 100% customer-funded organisation, it’s important that our customers understand how we are putting their bills to work. 

Of every $100, about $45 is spent on water and sewer services – this relates to the 19 water treatment and 16 water reclamation plants that we operate. These deliver top-quality drinking water and ensure that recycled water and trade waste is made safe for reuse on parks and gardens, to provide flows to inland rivers, and as biosolids in farming, in accordance with our EPA Licence. 

We have started our largest ever capital works program, which consists of time-critical infrastructure upgrades and renewals to underpin our region’s prosperity and help us address the challenges we face.

Almost $30 is spent on maintaining our ‘hidden network’ of water and sewer mains, whilst the remainder is split between environmental protection, maintenance of our three major reservoirs near Kyneton, customer service functions and corporate costs associated with running an office.

Visit here for a visual representation of what your bill pays for. 

Please phone our Customer Support Team during business hours on 1300 363 200. 

We have heard from customers that protecting the most vulnerable members of our community is important, in an environment of high interest rates, high inflation and a high cost of living. 

Our Coliban Assist program is the cornerstone of our customer support function.

From 1 July, and each year thereafter of the current pricing period, we will provide $570,000 to fund Coliban Assist.

Our Customer Support Team is trained to provide confidential advice, support or referral to other services.

If you are experiencing short or long-term payment concerns, or family violence, we encourage you to speak with our team to discuss your options. Contact us here. 

The Department of Health and other agencies offer a variety of concessions and benefits to eligible cardholders to assist low-income Victorians with water and sewerage bills. 

Customers with an eligible card can apply for a concession by completing our Apply for a Concession online form or by contacting us directly for assistance.

For more information visit our Coliban Assist page.
 

What allows Coliban Water to change customer prices?

Every five years, the Victorian water industry regulator, the Essential Services Commission (ESC), reviews fees and charges for Coliban Water to ensure pricing, service levels and work programs are justified, and costs and charges are fair. 

This year, 2025, we enter the third year of our approved pricing pathway, which runs until 2028. The prices that will apply from 1 July 2025 have been endorsed by the ESC.

The new Schedule of Fees and Charges is available here. 

Customers can also find a residential pricing estimator via the link above, or can phone our Customer Support Team on 1300 363 200.

Have fees and charges changed in 2025/26?

Yes. Most water and sewer prices will increase by an average of 4.5% this year for the average household. 
Water volume charges will increase by 4% and water and sewer access charges will increase by 4.7%. 

The net change for a household consuming 190 kilolitres will be an average increase of 4.5%. These figures consist of a price adjustment of 2.5% endorsed by the Essential Services Commission, plus inflation. 

For the average owner-occupier, bills will increase by approximately $1.34 per week (including inflation) to $1,631.80 per year. This time last year, the average owner-occupier household received a bill increase of approximately $1.74 per week.
 
Prices will increase in a phased approach between now and 2028 to ensure the ongoing delivery of our core business, providing safe drinking water, recycled water, rural water, and sewage services for public health and the environment so our communities can sustain themselves. 

Is there a change to pricing for renters?     

Yes. The average bill for a renter will increase by approximately $0.38 per week to $517.98 per year, as renters only pay for usage, not water or sewer access charges.

What if I am having difficulty paying my account?

We have allocated $570,000 per year to our Coliban Assist program to support the most vulnerable is our community. 
We also recognise the impact of high interest rates, inflation, and cost of living pressure, and offer a range of support measures for customers.

If you are experiencing short or long-term payment concerns or family violence, you can contact us during business hours on 1300 363 200. Our team can help you explore your options and are trained to provide confidential advice, support, or referral to other services.

The Department of Health and other agencies offer a variety of concessions and benefits to eligible cardholders to assist low-income Victorians with water and sewage bills. 
 

What is Coliban Assist?

Coliban Assist aims to support any customers experiencing vulnerability.

The program encompasses a range of support measures, including Plumber Assist, leak detection, utility relief grants, concessions, bill smoothing, and payment matching. 

Are customers with a concession card eligible for a discount?

The Department of Health and other agencies offer a variety of concessions and benefits to eligible cardholders. These can assist customers on low incomes with water and sewerage bills. 

Customers with a concession card may be eligible for a concession and can apply by completing our Apply for a Concession online form or contact us for assistance.

What is my money spent on?

As a 100% customer-funded organisation, it’s important that our customers understand how we are putting their bills to work. 

Of every $100, about $45 is spent on water and sewer services – this relates to the 19 water treatment and 16 water reclamation plants that we operate. 

We have started a large capital works program, which are time-critical infrastructure upgrades and renewals to underpin our region’s prosperity and help us address the challenges we face.

Almost $30 is spent on maintaining our ‘hidden network’ of water and sewer mains whilst the remainder is split between environmental protection, maintenance of our three major reservoirs near Kyneton, customer service functions and corporate costs associated with running an office.

Why are infrastructure upgrades and renewals needed in our region?

Our built structures, some dating back to the goldrush, are ageing and a major program of upgrades and renewal must be funded and delivered in a way that allows us to prepare for tomorrow, while being fair to customers today.

Just like the other things we own (our homes or cars, our water infrastructure requires regular investment. It’s our responsibility to maintain and upgrade these vital community water and sewer assets for the future.

Why is so much of the bill made up of fixed charges?

There are three components to your residential bill, fixed water charges, variable water charge (based on usage), and fixed sewer charges.

The variable water charge is a single price per kilolitre of water used. This component of your bill will vary depending on the amount of water you use.

Fixed water and sewer charges are the costs we associate with operating and maintaining water and sewer treatment and delivery infrastructure.

The cost of maintaining our treatment plants, pipes, and reservoirs is high and we recover this cost through the fixed component of customer bills. These costs are incurred across our entire network. That is why all customers contribute the same amount, regardless of usage.

I hardly send anything down the drain – what is the sewer price for?    

Fixed sewer charges are the costs associated with operating and maintaining water and sewer treatment and delivery infrastructure. These charges are calculated daily. 

What is a New Customer Contribution?

A New Customer Contribution (NCC) is a fee paid by those looking to develop property. The fee is charged when a new property applies to have services available. 

As significant development continues in all parts of our service region we incur capital costs to upsize our networks and upgrade storage and treatment facilities to meet demand. Last financial year, the NCC cost increased for developers. 
The sewer and water NCC will increase in 2025/26 (20% plus inflation). The recycled water NCC will increase by 14.5% plus inflation.

If we fail to deliver the promised investment in sewer infrastructure, we will apply a rebate of 20% to the sewer NCCs we charge in the following year. An independent audit in August 2025 will confirm the level of investment and whether this rebate will apply. 

I am a rural customer, what do these price changes mean for me? 

Rural charges in 2025/26 will increase by less than inflation, with most charges increasing by 2.1%. This increase is less than the previous year when rural charges increased by 2.3%.  

These charges help fund a variety of water security projects and maintain operations within the rural network. We will continue with the development of a detailed business case to make the rural system more efficient, and we will provide an update on this in coming months.

A list of our rural fees can be found at coliban.com.au/rural from Monday 1 July. We mailed a copy of the updated fees and charges to our rural customers on Friday 20 June. 

Which pricing district is my town in?

Treated District
Axedale, Barkers Creek, Bealiba, Bendigo, Boort, Bridgewater, Campbells Creek, Castlemaine, Chewton, Cohuna, Dunolly, Echuca, Elmore, Elphinstone, Fryerstown, Gannawarra, Goornong, Guildford, Gunbower, Harcourt, Heathcote, Huntly, Inglewood, Korong Vale, Kyneton, Laanecoorie, Leitchville, Lockington, Maiden Gully, Maldon, Maldon-Newstead Pipeline, Malmsbury, Mandurang, Marong, Mead, Newstead, Pyramid Hill, Raywood, Rochester, Sebastian, Serpentine, Strathfieldsaye, Taradale, Tarnagulla, Tooborac, Trentham, Tylden, Wedderburn, Yapeen.

Untreated District    
Borung, Dingee, Elmore*, Goornong*, Jarklin, Kyneton*, Marcorna, Mitiamo, Mysia, Wychitella.
*These towns receive part treated supply, part untreated supply. 

During the 2024/25 financial year we invested money in the following ways: 

• $5 million for the Laanecoorie Water Treatment Plant. Installation of two water pumps and construction of two water storage tanks with a capacity of over two megalitres.
• Restoration of the Eppalock Pump Station after damage in the 2022 flood waters. 
• Planning for the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant upgrade, including a new Water Reclamation Facility and Biosolids Handling Treatment Facility. 
• Large scale cleanout of the Coliban Main Channel. Removal of 15 tonne of silt and rock from three water dissipators along the Leanganook Track. 
• Replacement of the liner at the Specimen Hill water storage. 
• Commenced a 10-year-plus, $100 million water and sewer program to renew and upgrade the critical pipes and pumps.
• Closer to 100% renewable with the completion of a new 302-kilowatt solar array at the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant. 
• $925,000 refurbishment of the Malmsbury Outlet Walkway Bridge Refurbishment, including replacement of the bridge’s foundations and repair and refurbishment of the steel structure, cast iron supports, and bluestone abutments. 
• $850,000 investment in a Powdered Activated Carbon system at the Echuca Water Treatment Plant. 
• $1.2 million for a Pressure Booster Pump Station to improve water pressure and service for customers in Lockwood. 
   

In the 2025/26 financial year we are working on:

• A new 15-kilometre water main to bring drinking water from Huntly to Goornong, improving water quality, water pressure, and reliability for customers in the Goornong community.
• Stage One of the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant upgrade, which includes a new Solids Handling Facility.
• $570,000 for the Coliban Assist program to support vulnerable members of the community.
• $450,000 to refurbish the Echuca Water Tower.
• Construction of two new clear water storage tanks and a booster pump station at the Bridgewater Water Treatment Plant.
• Construction on the Maiden Gully to Marong Pipeline to serve these major growth areas.
• Sewer network upgrades for Marong, including a new sewer main between Maiden Gully and Marong (to be installed at the same time as the water pipeline) and a sewer pump station at the corner of Allies Road and Hermitage Road.
• In Marong, we will upgrade three sewer pump stations and six kilometres of rising sewer mains. This project is supported by $11.3 million of Housing Support and Community Infrastructure Program funding awarded to the City of Greater Bendigo.
• The Rural Water Efficiency Project received a $3.7M Commonwealth grant to prepare a detailed business case for the project. 
• $8.5 million for water and sewer main renewals, with a further $12 million planned for renewal works between now and 2028. 
• $3.5 million to renew sections of the Coliban Main Channel. 
• Completion of a $1.4 million refurbishment of the Cohuna Water Treatment Plant Clarifier.
• $1.3 million to rehabilitate the Kalimna Basin, Castlemaine. 
• $1.2m to recommission the Guildford Tank and upgrade Fryers Street Booster Pump Station.
• $23 million to upgrade the Bendigo, Castlemaine and Kyneton Water Treatment Plants’ Health Based Target (HBT). Stage One was completed in February 2025 with the supply, installation, and commissioning of UV systems at the Castlemaine and Kyneton plants while Bendigo works will be complete in late 2025.