Fees & Charges

All service costs are listed in our annual Schedule of Fees and Charges 2026/27.

Or read our Rural Fees and Charges for 2026/27 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 6.4% this year. This figure consists of a price adjustment of between 1.6% to 2.5% endorsed by the Essential Services Commission, plus inflation. 

For the average owner-occupier, bills will increase by approximately $1.99 per week (including inflation) to $1,735.29 per year. This time last year, the average owner-occupier household received a bill increase of approximately $1.34 per week. 

The average bill for a renter will increase by approximately $0.65 per week to $551.53 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. 

As we enter the fourth 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 2026/27 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, 2026, we enter the fourth year of our approved pricing pathway, which runs until 2028. The prices that will apply from 1 July 2026 have been endorsed by the ESC.

The new Schedule of Fees and Charges is available here. 

Customers can also find a residential pricing estimator online, 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 6.3% this year for the average household. 
Water volume charges will increase by 6.5% and water and sewer access charges will increase by 6.3%. 

The net change for a household consuming 190 kilolitres will be an average increase of 6.3%. These figures consist of a price adjustment of between 1.6% to 2.5% endorsed by the Essential Services Commission, plus inflation. 

For the average owner-occupier, bills will increase by approximately $1.99 per week (including inflation) to $1,735.29 per year. This time last year, the average owner-occupier household received a bill increase of approximately $1.34 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 65 cents per week to $551.53 per year, as typically 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 is trained to provide confidential advice, support, or referral to other services, and can help you explore your options.

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 by calling 1300 363 200.

What is my money spent on?

As a 100% customer-funded organisation, it’s important our customers understand how we put 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 are midway through a large capital works program to support time-critical infrastructure upgrades and renewals.

Almost $30 is spent on maintaining our ‘hidden network’ of water and sewer mains. 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 Victoria's goldrush era, are ageing and a major program of upgrades and renewal must be funded and delivered in a way that enables us to prepare for tomorrow, while being fair to customers today.

Just like the other things we each own, such asour 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 water NCC will increase in 2026-27 (21.1% plus inflation). Sewer NCC will also increase (24.9% plus inflation). Recycled water NCC will increase by the inflation rate of 4.1%.

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 2026 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 2026/27 will increase by less than inflation, with most charges increasing by 3.7%. This increase is more than the previous year when rural charges increased by 2.1%.  

These charges help maintain operations within the rural network and fund a wide range of important water security projects including the Rural Water Efficiency Project (RWEP), a multi-year project that will upgrade critical infrastructure, reduce water losses and build a stronger, more reliable rural water system for the future.

You can read more about RWEP at connect.coliban.com.au/rural-water-efficiency

A list of our rural fees can be found at coliban.com.au/rural from Wednesday 1 July. We mailed a copy of the updated fees and charges to our rural customers on Thursday 25 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 2025/26 financial year we invested money in the following ways: 

• $1.3 million to rehabilitate the Kalimna Basin in Castlemaine. Repair works on the basin included concrete, structural and roof repairs, ensuring the basin can continue to serve the Castlemaine community for another 20 years.
• Construction of a new sewer pump station in Allies Road. This upgrade will provide more reliable sewer services to the area, ensure greater capacity for future population growth and support homes and businesses in Marong.
• Stage one of Water Treatment Plants’ Health Based Target (HBT) upgrades. This $23 million project covers the Bendigo, Castlemaine and Kyneton WTPs. Stage one covers Kyneton and Castlemaine.
• Work on stage one of the Bendigo Solids Handling Project began at the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant with the construction of a new electrical switchroom and the start of foundation earthworks at the site of the new solids handling facility.
• Following an Expressions of Interest period for the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant upgrade, we successfully shortlisted two contractors to take to the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase of the project.
• The Rural Water Efficiency Project received $120 million from the Australian Government through the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program, with up to $40 million from Coliban Water, bringing the total project budget to $160 million.
• Continued our 10-year-plus, $100 million water and sewer program to renew and upgrade the critical pipes and pumps.
• Construction of the Maiden Gully Marong Pipeline reached 90% with 10.4km of the 11.7km pipeline installed. Construction is expected to be complete by September with commissioning taking place in October.
• We built a new 2 megalitre recycled water tank at Spring Gully Reservoir. This will improve the reliability of supply to our recycled water customers.  Commissioning of the tank will take place in July.
• Works contract awarded to design and complete the upgrades of our Recycled Water Factory at the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant.
• We built two new clear water storage tanks and a new booster pump station at the Bridgewater Water Treatment Plant. When commissioned, these tanks will replace the current Inglewood Clear Water Storage Basin and make our water delivery to the area more reliable and efficient.
• Installation of $1.4 million refurbishment of the Cohuna Water Treatment Plant Clarifier.
• Secured $11.3 million through the Housing Support and Community Infrastructure Program in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo to enable delivery of the Marong Sewer Upgrades

In the 2026/27 financial year we are working on:

• Commissioning of the new 11-kilometre Maiden Gully to Marong Pipeline to serve these major growth areas.
• 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.
• A $20 million project to build 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.
• Continue upgrades at the Cohuna Water Treatment Plant as part of our $40 million Water Treatment and Storage Upgrade Program.
• Starting at Marong and Guildford, we'll be installing chlorine boosters at sites across our water network, ensuring we continue to provide water of the highest quality to our customers.
• Begin the upgrades of our Recycled Water Factory at Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant.
• $1.2m to recommission the Guildford Tank and upgrade Fryers Street Booster Pump Station.
• Continue stage one upgrades of the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant with construction to start on the new Solids Handling Facility.
• $551,000 for the Coliban Assist program to support vulnerable members of the community.
• Commissioning of two new clear water storage tanks and a booster pump station at the Bridgewater Water Treatment Plant.
• Completing stage two and three of $23 million Water Treatment Plant Health Based target upgrades at Bendigo WTP. This includes the supply, installation, and commissioning of UV systems and Chlorine Contact Tank.
• Further renewing or upgrading ageing water and sewer mains to ensure this critical infrastructure can serve local communities for years to come as part of our Water and Sewer Upgrade Program.
• Completion of a new 6-megalitre clear water storage tank at the Castlemaine Water Treatment Plant in Chewton to increase the treated water storage capacity and water security for Castlemaine customers.
• Continue planning for stage two of the upgrades at the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant.