South Australian homeowners will be slugged with an average $85 annual increase on their water bills as the state government looks to fund new water infrastructure needed for new housing.
The increase will be offset with a relief payment for concession holders applied directly to bills.
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Premier Peter Malinauskas said water bills will rise by 3.5 per cent above inflation next financial year as he looks to invest $1.5 billion into unlocking 40,000 home allotments.
That will mean from July 1, households will pay an extra $21 a quarter for water.
About 190,000 concession cardholders will receive $412 off their annual bill, which is an increase of $50 on the existing relief for which they are currently eligible.
From July 1, concession cardholders water bills will increase by about $8 a quarter.
Malinauskas said if taxpayers were to cover the total infrastructure cost, their bills would have gone up by $440.
Instead, the water infrastructure cost is being split between SA Water customers, the SA Government and developers.
Malinauskas blamed the previous governments for a lack of investment in water infrastructure to keep up with housing demand.
“My government isn’t going to kick the can down the road anymore,” he said.
The $1.5 billion dollar infrastructure spend will be used on main water and sewage connections necessary for new homes, particularly in Adelaide’s north.
Currently, more than 100,000 litres of sewage is being trucked from Angle Vale, Riverlea, Roseworthy and Virginia because homes were not connected to mains.