Water Services (Water Corporations Charges) Regulations 2014.

The Water Services (Water Corporations Charges) Regulations 2014 establishes the framework for calculating and applying water service charges within Western Australia. These regulations, published under the Water Services Act 2012, became effective on July 1, 2014, with certain parts commencing immediately upon their publication in the Gazette. The regulations are structured into several parts, each focusing on different aspects of water service charges. They address general provisions, specifying annual charges, pro rata calculations, and scenarios involving amendments to charges within a specified period. Separate parts are dedicated to the charges applied by Bunbury Water Corporation, Busselton Water Corporation, and the Water Corporation, each detailing terms used, water supply charges, concessions, and protocols for overdue payments. Key terms are defined within the regulations, providing clarity on expressions such as residential and non-residential lots, concessional land, charge periods, and consumption years. The regulations also outline circumstances where changes to water service charges might occur, including adjustments due to land reclassification or changes in major fixtures. Additionally, provisions regarding permissible surcharges for payments made via credit or debit cards, alongside interest rates applied to overdue payments, are included. Specific schedules appended to the regulations elaborate on the actual charges for different types of land and services provided. These schedules detail charges based on consumption levels, water supply services, sewerage services, drainage services, irrigation services, and miscellaneous scenarios. Concessions for registered pensioners, seniors, and certain residential categories are systematically described, ensuring clarity on eligibility criteria and the extent of discounts. Separate provisions are made for trade waste and effluent discharge calculations, specifying factors such as discharge volume and applicable percentages. The document also incorporates transitional provisions related to the repeal of earlier regulations and adjustments to charges pre-dating its introduction. It specifies how pre-existing liabilities and concessions are to be managed during transitional periods.