Australian Capital Territory

Utilities (Variation of Terms – ACTEW Corporation Standard Customer Contract) Approval Notice 2011

Notifiable Instrument NI2011- 304

made under the

Utilities Act 2000, s 91 (Notification and application of terms etc) and 
s 93 (Variation of terms)

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Utilities (Variation of Terms – ACTEW Corporation Standard Customer Contract) Approval Notice 2011.
2	Commencement 
This instrument commences on the day after it is notified. 
3	Approval of variation of standard customer contract for water and sewerage services
The Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission approves the variation at Schedule 1 to ACTEW Corporation’s schedule of charges in the standard customer contract for water and sewerage services. 

Malcolm R Gray
Acting Senior Commissioner
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission

16 June 2011

ACTEW Corporation Ltd
Schedule of water and sewerage charges
2011-12

The following charges are payable from 1 July 2011 for, or in connection with, the provision of water services and sewerage services. This schedule includes miscellaneous fees and charges associated with these services.

Annual charges for water services and sewerage services are billed quarterly.

GST does not apply to water services and sewerage services unless otherwise stated.

		2010-11 charge	2011-12 charge	
1.	Sewerage charges			
1.1	For the supply of sewerage services to a Class 1 parcel of land
	$516.11 pa	$555.39 pa	
1.2	For the supply of sewerage services to:
1. each residential unit contained in a building or buildings erected on a Class 2 parcel of land
2. common property that is classified as a Class 2 parcel of land
	$516.11 pa	$555.39 pa	
1.3	For the supply of sewerage services to each residential unit contained in a building erected on a Class 3 parcel of land which is, on the first day of a financial year, held under a weekly or fortnightly tenancy from the Territory
	$516.11 pa	$555.39 pa	
1.4	For the supply of sewerage services to a Class 4 parcel of land	$516.11 pa	$555.39 pa	
	together with,			
	for each flushing cistern or flush valve situated on the parcel of land in excess of two flushing cisterns or flush valves
	$252.37pa	$271.58 pa	
1.5	For the supply of sewerage services to a Class 5 parcel of land	$516.11 pa	$555.39 pa	
	together with,			
	for each flushing cistern or flush valve situated on the parcel of land in excess of two flushing cisterns or flush valves
	$504.74 pa	$543.15 pa	
1.6	Unconnected charge
Where sewerage services are available but not connected to a parcel of land
	$516.11 pa	$555.39 pa	

2.	Sewerage services charging categories
Classes of parcels of land for the provision of sewerage services
For the purpose of this section, a “subsidiary building” is a building that is only used for purposes connected with the use of the main building.

2.1.	Class 1 (single residential)
This category applies to a parcel of land where sewerage services are supplied to:
a single residential dwelling, and no other building is erected on the land; or
a single residential dwelling containing only a house and a flat, and no other building is erected on the land; or
land where more than one building is erected, and one is a single residential dwelling and any other buildings are subsidiary buildings; or
land where more than one building is erected, and one is a single residential dwelling containing only a house and a flat, and any other buildings are subsidiary buildings.
This category does not apply to Class 3 land.

2.2	Class 2 (multiple residential)
This category applies to a parcel of land where:
(a)	the parcel is held under a Crown lease from the Commonwealth; and
(b)	sewerage services are supplied to:
•	a building containing more than one residential dwelling, but no other building is erected on the land; or
•	two or more buildings, each of which contains a residential dwelling or dwellings, and no other buildings are erected on the land; or
•	a building containing more than one residential dwelling, or two or more buildings each of which contains a residential dwelling or dwellings; and another building or buildings that are subsidiary buildings.
This category does not apply to Class 3 land.

2.3	Class 3 (Commonwealth-owned residential)
This category applies to a parcel of land where sewerage services are supplied to a building containing residential dwellings owned by the Commonwealth on Territory land.

2.4	Class 4 (special category)
This category applies to a parcel of land where sewerage services are supplied to:
(a)	a church, hospital, benevolent institution or charitable institution, and no other building is erected on the land
(b)	any of two or more buildings erected on a parcel of land, one of which comes within Class 3, and any others are subsidiary buildings
(c)	land leased from the Commonwealth that is occupied by, or used in connection with, a school that is registered (or provisionally registered) under the Education Act 2004, including grounds belonging to, or used in connection with, such a school.

2.5	Class 5 (general)
This category applies to the supply of sewerage services to all other parcels of land (including to the Australian National University and the University of Canberra).

2.6	Unit titles
(a)	A unit is a Class 1 parcel of land if the Crown lease provides that the unit shall be used for residential purposes only.
(b)	The common property, where it comprises a separate parcel of land, is a Class 2 parcel of land if the Crown lease of each of the units provides that they are to be used for residential purposes only.
(c)	A unit is a Class 5 parcel of land if the Crown lease provides that the unit is to be used for a purpose other than residential purposes.
(d)	The common property, where it comprises a separate parcel of land, is a Class 5 parcel of land if the Crown lease of any of the units provides that they are to be used for a purpose other than residential purposes.
Where a parcel of land is sub-divided into units and common property rights under the Unit Titles Act 2001 or the Community Title Act 2001:
(i)	each unit comprises a separate parcel of land; and
(ii)	each common property comprises a separate parcel of land, but only while sewerage services are supplied to it.

		2010-11 charge	2011-12 charge	
3.	Water charges
references to supply include “or availability of supply”			
3.1	Where water services are provided to any class of chargeable land in a meter reading period that ends after 30 June, the supply charge will be at the rate applicable at the time the meter is read. Consumption on and from 1 July 2011 will be charged at the 2011-12 rates. Consumption prior to 1 July 2011 will be charged at the 2010-11 rates.			
3.2	•	Standard			
	The standard charge shall be:			
	a supply charge to each parcel of land 	$92.08 pa	$95.63 pa	
	and for the first 0.548 kilolitres supplied on average per day of the billing period	$2.00 per kL	$2.33 per kL	
	plus, for all water supplied in excess of 0.548 kilolitres on average per day of the billing period	$4.01 per kL	$4.66 per kL	
	or in a case of water supplied to a school or church or ecclesiastical establishment, for all water supplied in excess of 0.548 kilolitres on average per day of the billing period                                                                                      
	$2.00 per kL	$2.33 per kL	
3.3	•	Multiple domestic			
	The multiple domestic charge shall be:			
	a supply charge to each residential unit 	$92.08 pa	$95.63 pa	
	Plus, in respect of each residential unit:			
	for the first 0.548 kilolitres of water supplied on average per day of the billing period 	$2.00 per kL	$2.33 per kL	
	and for all water supplied in excess of 0.548 kilolitres on average per day of the billing period 	$4.01 per kL	$4.66 per kL	
3.4	•	Units and common property			
	The units and common property charge shall be:			
	a supply charge to each unit 	$92.08 pa	$95.63 pa	
	Plus, for each unit and the common property			
	for the first 0.548 kilolitres of water supplied on average per day of the billing period	$2.00 per kL	$2.33 per kL	
	and for all water supplied in excess of 0.548 kilolitres on average per day of the billing period
	$4.01 per kL	$4.66 per kL	
3.5	•	Unmetered charge			
	The unmetered charge for each parcel of land shall be
	$442.96 pa	$503.38 pa	
3.6	•	Unconnected charge			
	The unconnected charge for each parcel of land shall be
	$92.08 pa	$95.63 pa	
3.7	The charge for the sale of water from an ACTEW Corporation main other than through a meter or to a parcel of land shall be
	$4.01 per kL	$4.66 per kL	
3.8	Supply of water through a metered hydrant standpipe
	$4.01 per kL	$4.66 per kL	

4.	Water charging categories
The charging categories under 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 are for land that is both connected to the water supply network and metered.

4.1	Standard charge
This charge applies to a parcel of land with a single residential dwelling, business premises, a school, church, ecclesiastical establishment, the Australian National University, the University of Canberra and any other parcels of land not covered by the other categories. 

4.2	Multiple domestic charge
This charge applies to a parcel of land with more than one residential unit (for example, flats, dual occupancy or multiple residential buildings), other than unit title and community title developments. For billing purposes, water consumption is averaged across the number of residential units.

4.3	Units and common property charge
This charge applies to each unit and common property in a unit title or community title development.

4.4	Unmetered charge
This charge applies to a parcel of land that is connected to the water supply network, but which is not metered.

4.5	Unconnected charge
This charge applies to a parcel of land that is not connected to the water supply network, but where water supply infrastructure has been installed and is available to supply water to the land.

4.6	Short tenancy charge
Where a parcel of land is held under a monthly or quarterly tenancy from the Territory, the relevant charge shall be apportioned on a pro-rata basis according to the proportion of the year for which the customer has held the tenancy.

Miscellaneous fees and charges

		2010-11 charge	2011-12 charge	
5.	Fees			
5.1	Fee for a special reading of a water meter	$34.00	$35.00	
5.2	Fee for testing a standard 20 mm water meter.  
Notes:  
1.  Testing fees for meters larger than 20mm are by individual quote.
2.  Meter testing fees are refundable where a test shows a meter to be defective as defined in the Water Metering Code.
	$228.00	$234.00	
5.3	Fee payable upon request for a certificate showing the amount of charges payable in respect of a quantity of water or of a parcel of land
	$30.00	$31.00	
5.4	Attendance (debt collection or disconnection/restriction):
first visit in a twelve-month period (in office hours)	$54.00	$56.00	
	within a year of a previous visit (in office hours)
	$74.00	$76.00	
5.5	Reconnection fee (following disconnection/restriction for non payment)
	$52.00	$53.00	
6.	Work as executed drawings			
6.1	Work as executed drawings resubmission fee (for the third and any subsequent submission of drawings that have already been rejected twice as incorrect or not compliant with standards)	$544.00	$560.00	
6.2	Work as executed drawings non-compliance fee (for drawings that are submitted and do not comply with ActewAGL electronic file standards)	$272.00	$280.00	

		2010-11 GST-exclusive rate	2011-12 GST-exclusive rate	2011-12 GST-inclusive rate	
7	Charges				
7.1	Dishonoured cheque and credit card reversal (admin charge). The greater of	$13.64 per account or
$30.91 per cheque or reversal	$13.64 per account or
$31.82 per cheque or reversal	$15.00 per account or
$35.00 per cheque or reversal	
7.2	Direct debit reject	$8.18 per reject	$8.18 per reject	$9.00 per reject	

Account payments
The due date for payments of water and sewerage service charges shall be the date shown as the due date for payment on the notice issued to the person liable to pay the charges.

Interest
Where the person liable for charges fails to pay by the due date, and the amount remains unpaid for a further 14 days, ACTEW Corporation may levy interest at the prescribed rate on the amount outstanding for each month or part of a month that the amount remains unpaid, computed from the day on which the charges became due for payment.

The amount of interest computed and levied will be included on the next account issued to the person liable to pay the charges.

Payment assistance
ActewAGL offers a range of flexible payment options. If you would like information on these or if you need payment assistance, call us on 13 14 93. If you are having difficulty paying your account and ActewAGL is unable to assist, you may also apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT), telephone 6207 7740, for assistance.

		2010-11 charge	2011-12 charge	
	Water main connections			
8	Tapping into water main			
8.1	100mm diameter main	20mm main cock
	25mm main cock
	32mm main cock
	40mm main cock
	50mm main cock	$653.00
$744.00
$784.00
$799.00
$837.00	$672.00
$765.00
$806.00
$822.00
$861.00	
8.2	150mm diameter main	20mm main cock
	25mm main cock
	32mm main cock
	40mm main cock
	50mm main cock	$668.00
$761.00
$809.00
$827.00
$858.00	$687.00
$783.00
$832.00
$851.00
$882.00	
8.3	225mm diameter main	20mm main cock
	25mm main cock
	32mm main cock
	40mm main cock
	50mm main cock	$723.00
$773.00
$815.00
$827.00
$871.00	$744.00
$795.00
$838.00
$851.00
$896.00	
8.4	300mm diameter main	20mm main cock
	25mm main cock
	32mm main cock
	40mm main cock
	50mm main cock	$783.00
$793.00
$837.00
$853.00
$886.00	$805.00
$816.00
$861.00
$877.00
$911.00	
	Note: These prices do not include excavation works which are commonly carried out by the project contractor (or by ActewAGL at a negotiated price)
			
9	Temporary Water Connection
The price for a temporary water connection will include connection, disconnection and surveillance costs. (Excavation works may be included by request)
	by quotation	by quotation	
10	Installation of fire hydrant			
10.1	Where insertion of hydrant tee is required (“standard” main depth)
100mm diameter tee
150mm diameter tee
225mm diameter tee
300mm diameter tee	

$2,229.00
$2,392.00
$2,718.00
$3,414.00	

$2,293.00
$2,460.00
$2,795.00
$3,511.00	
10.2	Note 1: Where the main exceeds the “standard” depth, additional risers are to be supplied by the contractor
Note 2: Hydrant covers and indicators etc, are to be supplied and fixed by the contractor			
10.3	Installation of a hydrant from an existing tee connection
	$1,283.00	$1,320.00	
11	Raise or lower hydrant
	$1,130.00	$1,162.00	
12	Remove hydrant / endcap and connect main			
	100mm main
150mm main
225mm main
300mm main
	$1,304.00
$1,664.00
$2,338.00
$2,935.00	$1,341.00
$1,711.00
$2,405.00
$3,019.00	
13	Cut in stop valve			
	100mm main
150mm main
225mm main
300mm main
	$1,718.00
$1,793.00
$2,686.00
By quote	$1,767.00
$1,844.00
$2,763.00
By quote	
14	Supply and fix stop valve locking cover			
	This charge includes the installation and removal at a later date
	$555.00	$571.00	
15	Disconnection of water service			
15.1	Service 20mm to 32mm diameter (cap main cock)	$588.00	$605.00	
15.2	Service 32mm to 150mm diameter (cap main cock/flanged tee)
	$773.00	$795.00	
16	Relocation of 20mm and 25mm stop cock and meter			
16.1	Where no additional excavation or shutdown is required	$609.00	$626.00	
16.2	Where additional excavation is required	$858.00	$882.00	
16.3	Where shutdown of main is required
	$1,457.00	$1,499.00	

		2010-11 GST-exclusive rate	2011-12 GST-exclusive rate	2011-12 GST-inclusive rate	
17.	Hydrants (metered standpipes)				
17.1	25mm hydrant (metered standpipe)				
	annual hire	$270.91	$278.18	$306.00	
	quarterly hire	$109.09	$111.82	$123.00	
	short-term hire (14 days maximum)	$60.00	$61.82	$68.00	
17.2	32mm hydrant (metered standpipe)				
	annual hire	$337.27	$347.27	$382.00	
	quarterly hire	$119.09	$122.73	$135.00	
	short-term hire (14 days maximum)	$65.45	$67.27	$74.00	
17.3	65mm hydrant (metered standpipe)				
	annual hire	$457.27	$470.00	$517.00	
	quarterly hire	$152.73	$173.00	$157.27	
	short-term hire (14 days maximum)	$65.45	$67.27	$74.00	
17.4	65mm hydrant (metered standpipe) – hire for filling pools etc.				
	hire of hose and fittings (fixed fee, seven days maximum)	$60.91	$62.73	$69.00	
	daily hire (per day, seven days maximum)	$10.00	$10.00	$11.00	

		2010-11 charge	2011-12 charge	
18.	Sewer main connections			
18.1	100mm diameter junction into 150mm diameter main	$1,467.00	$1,509.00	
18.2	100mm diameter junction into 225mm diameter main	$1,587.00	$1,632.00	
18.3	100mm diameter junction into 300mm diameter main	$1,708.00	$1,757.00	
18.4	Break out existing 150mm, 225mm or 300mm diameter main to a new manhole	$1,228.00	$1,263.00	
18.5	Connection to existing standard manhole without drop, 100mm, 150mm or 225mm diameter	$2,458.00	$2,528.00	
18.6	150mm connection to existing standard manhole including external drop of up to 2 meters	$6,470.00	$6,654.00	
	Rate for each additional metre of drop	$234.00	$241.00	
18.7	225mm connection to existing standard manhole including external drop of up to 2 meters	$6,470.00	$6,654.00	
	Rate for each additional metre of drop	$234.00	$241.00	
18.8	Provide 100mm or 150mm diameter collar out of existing standard sewer manhole for house connection without drop	$2,674.00	$2,750.00	
18.9	Connecting main to end of existing main or collar out of existing manhole, 150mm or 225mm	$2,011.00	$2,068.00	
18.10	100mm diameter PVC temporary connection to standard sewer manhole including removal of PVC pipe from manhole at completion of project	$2,011.00	$2,068.00	
18.11	Alterations to height of manhole. Raise or lower manhole up to 300mm where the only alteration is to the neck of the manhole and the total length of neck and ring does not exceed 450mm	$897.00	$923.00	
18.12	Supply and fit “gatic” type cover to an existing manhole	$1,141.00	$1,174.00	
18.13	Disconnection (temporary cap off) of sewer tie for non-compliance	$799.00	$822.00	
18.14	Permanent disconnection of sewer connection to a main 150 or 225 mm
Note: This price does not include excavation works which are commonly carried out by the project contractor (or by ActewAGL at a negotiated price)	$799.00 plus excavation	$822.00 plus excavation	
18.15	Rebuild sewer manhole 	$5,926.00	$6,095.00	
	Gatic (if required)	$451.00	$464.00	

Please note the following.
•	The above charges relating to (non-contestable) water main connections, hydrants and sewer main connections apply to basic installations only. Additional charges will apply to non-standard components, work of unusual complexity or work that is necessary outside of normal business hours. Estimates can be supplied on request.
•	Only property owners or their authorised agents are entitled to apply to ActewAGL for the (non-contestable) works listed in this schedule.
•	A connection/disconnection design plan, approved by ActewAGL, must accompany requests for quotations (except in the case of raising/lowering manholes, raising/lowering meters or raising/lowering stopcocks if they remain in their current location).
•	It is the responsibility of the lease owner (or authorised agent) to meet the costs of ActewAGL charges together with all internal and external works which may be necessary to carry out a connection or disconnection to ACTEW Corporation’s water and sewerage network.
•	Where a customer causes damage to ACTEW Corporation’s water or sewerage system, including actions that lead to a blockage in the sewerage system, the customer will be required to reimburse ActewAGL for the costs it incurred in rectifying that damage.
•	Officers of ActewAGL are the only persons permitted to work on, cut or tap into ACTEW Corporation’s mains or remove meters unless authorised by ActewAGL. All other work is contestable and, when approved by ActewAGL, can be carried out by licensed trades persons. ActewAGL will, however, prepare a quotation for contestable works if requested.
•	Quotations cover work that must be undertaken by ActewAGL on mains owned by ACTEW Corporation. Quotations include preparatory tasks such as notification of customers and shut down of the network. Unless stated above, the contractor is responsible for all other work including road opening, traffic permits, preparation of the site, excavation, backfilling and restoration.

Where the site is not ready at the nominated time to allow ActewAGL crews to commence work, additional charges will apply for rescheduled works.