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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationHIA welcomes TasWater charge backdown
HIA welcomes TasWater charge backdown
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HIA Tasmania Executive Director Benjamin Price said the Regulator had clearly listened to concerns about housing affordability and construction costs.
“This is a much better result than TasWater’s original proposal, which would have driven up the cost of new homes across Tasmania,” Mr Price said.
“The Regulator has stepped in, narrowed the increase and rejected key elements that would have unfairly loaded costs onto new housing.”
Under the final determination, headworks charges for a standard 20mm connection will rise to around $3,025 for water and $1,797 for sewerage from July 2026 — well below what would have occurred under TasWater’s initial model.
“HIA has always said infrastructure needs investment, but it can’t come at the expense of housing affordability,” Mr Price said.
“This decision avoids a major cost shock for the building industry at a time when Tasmania desperately needs more homes.”
Mr Price said the Regulator’s decision sent a clear message that developer charges must be justified, targeted and properly consulted on.
“Headworks charges shouldn’t be used as a blunt revenue tool,” he said.
“The final outcome draws a clearer line between genuine infrastructure investment and cost hikes that would have been passed straight on to home buyers.”
While welcoming the decision, HIA cautioned that any increase still adds pressure to housing delivery.
“Even moderated increases flow into the price of a new home,” Mr Price said.
“That’s why decisions like this matter so much for first home buyers and growing families.”
HIA said it would continue to advocate for infrastructure pricing that supports new housing supply rather than holding it back.
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