South East Water has begun community consultation for its next five-year regulatory period, asking customers to weigh in on priorities that will shape its Price Submission 2028.
The submission will outline the services to be delivered, the infrastructure to be built or upgraded, and the proposed pricing between 1 July 2028 and 30 June 2033. It will ultimately be assessed by the Essential Services Commission, Victoria’s independent economic regulator for the water sector.
The engagement campaign, branded ‘In The Pipeline’, includes an online Values survey for residential and business customers. South East Water describes it as its largest-ever community consultation effort.
General Manager Strategy and Stakeholder Karen Lau said the organisation wants customer expectations embedded directly into its forward planning.
“We’re asking our customers what they value most about their water services and their views on future priorities,” Lau said. “Their answers will help shape how we balance the needs of our growing region and respond to key challenges and opportunities – from building and maintaining reliable water and sewerage infrastructure, to adapting to climate change, harnessing technological innovation and supporting those experiencing financial hardship.”
“What people tell us will help shape what goes ‘in the pipeline’ and how we set our prices.”
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Balancing growth, resilience and affordability
South East Water services more than 1.8 million people across Melbourne’s south east and the Mornington Peninsula, managing close to $5.5 billion in water and sewerage assets.
As population growth continues in corridors stretching from Port Melbourne to Portsea and east to Pakenham, the utility must balance expanding infrastructure with maintaining affordability and service reliability.
Price Submission 2028 will set the framework for capital investment and operating expenditure during the 2028–33 period, covering water, sewerage and recycled water services.
Key issues flagged for discussion include infrastructure reliability, climate change adaptation, digital innovation and support for customers experiencing financial hardship.
A broader engagement program
In addition to the online survey, South East Water will host in-person and virtual engagement activities in the coming months, including pop-up events, interactive online tools and community panels.
The consultation process reflects the regulatory requirement for Victorian water corporations to submit a price proposal every five years. The Essential Services Commission reviews each submission to determine whether proposed prices are fair, efficient and aligned with customer expectations.
The Values survey remains open until Sunday, 22 March, with community events scheduled between 1 March and 4 April.