Initial steps in rural irrigation price review


The Queensland Government has directed the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to review irrigation prices for water supply schemes operated by Sunwater and Seqwater. The review will recommend irrigation prices for the four-year period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029.

Sunwater and Seqwater are due to submit their pricing proposals to the QCA by 30 November 2023.  

The QCA has released a guidance paper for the businesses to assist them in preparing their pricing proposals.

QCA Chair Professor Flavio Menezes said that it was important that the businesses take greater ownership of their pricing proposals.

“We encourage the businesses to undertake meaningful engagement with customers and other affected stakeholders in developing their pricing proposals,” he said.

“We advise stakeholders to contact the water businesses to find out how they can get involved early on, while the pricing proposals are being developed.”

The QCA’s formal consultation process will begin after the QCA receives the businesses’ pricing proposals.

“We understand how important this review is to stakeholders, and we plan to hold initial stakeholder workshops in early 2024,” Professor Menezes said.

The QCA will provide stakeholders with further information about the workshops closer to the time.

Stakeholders will also have opportunities to comment on the businesses’ pricing proposals and the QCA’s draft report, which is due by 30 June 2024.

The QCA has published a stakeholder notice and a stakeholder guidance paper with more information about the review. These are available on the QCA’s website.

Media enquiries: Cole Lawson Communications, 07 3221 2220.

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