Waterways and Drainage Charge
The retail water companies collect a ‘waterways and drainage charge’ on behalf of Melbourne Water from all rateable properties in our boundary area. The charge provides funding for such things as river health improvements, flood warning systems, and drainage maintenance works.
The charge is collected according to the retailers’ billing schedule and is based on the Net Annual Value (NAV) or Site Value of your property, subject to a minimum. Fees vary depending on whether a property is in an urban or rural area and whether the property is residential or non-residential (commercial).
Extended urban growth boundary
In 2005 our waterways and drainage boundary was extended by more than 5,000 square kilometres to cover the Port Phillip and Westernport region. The region now extends from high up in the Yarra Ranges across to Ballan in the west, right across to Tarago in the east and encapsulates Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula in the south.
Special drainage area charges
Special drainage area charges are applied to property owners in the Patterson Lakes and Koo Wee Rup area for works and services that relate specifically to their waterside properties.
Charges from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
| Urban areas: Part A - General fees (based on property Net Annual Value) |
Rate in $ NAV |
Minimum Fee |
|---|---|---|
| All properties located within the area designated as the Urban Growth Boundary, except those specified in Part B | ||
| Residential properties | 0.8988˘ | $79.36 |
| Non-residential (commercial) properties | 1.0044˘ | $94.32 |
| Extended urban growth boundary: Part B - Special area fees (based on property Net Annual Value) |
Rate in $ NAV |
Minimum Fee |
| 1. All properties included in the waterway management district as a result of extending Melbourne Water's operating area in November 2005 (including all properties within the Shire of Mornington Peninsula), except those specified in 2. | ||
| Residential properties | N/A | $79.36* |
| Non-residential (commercial) properties | N/A | $94.32* |
| 2. All properties located outside the area designated as the Urban Growth Boundary (rural areas), except those specified in 3 | N/A | $45.08* |
| 3. All properties in the following parts of the area of the former Dandenong Valley and Western Port Authority as at 5 November 1991, which up to 1997, were subject to a special drainage and river improvement rate: | ||
| Koo Wee Rup - Longwarry Flood Protection District | ||
| Division A | 3.6490˘ | $56.40 |
| Division B | 2.0270˘ | $56.40 |
| Patterson Lakes: Part C - Extra fees at Patterson Lakes (based on property Site Value) |
Rate in $ SV |
Minimum Fee |
| Tidal Waterways properties | 0.7058˘ | N/A |
| Quiet Lakes properties | 0.5590˘ | N/A |
* Fixed Fee
The waterways and drainage charge was reviewed through a public process, where the Essential Services Commission:
- Completed extensive analysis of Melbourne Water’s proposed 2008 Waterways Water Plan. The Waterways Water Plan outlines our long-term goals and targets including specific programs to improve our rivers and creeks and provide a safe level of flood protection for communities.
- Reviewed capital expenditure, operating expenditure and forecast demand.
- Consulted with stakeholders, including a review of submissions made by interested parties.
The 2008 Water Price Review covers a five year regulatory period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2013. Prices will increase annually during this period.
Related information: