---
title: "TCCI welcomes TasWater price cut – but 4.4% rise still too high"
date: 2026-02-03T00:00:00+11:00
author: Walker Designs
canonical_url: "https://tcci.com.au/news/tcci-welcomes-taswater-price-cut-but-4-4-rise-still-too-high"
section: News
---
NEWS#  TCCI welcomes TasWater price cut – but 4.4% rise still too high 

---

  Date 03 February 2026 Category  [Media Releases](https://tcci.com.au/category/media-releases)   

 ![Media Release Tiles 9](https://tcci.com.au/volumes/images/News/2026/_1280x720_fit_center-center_70_none/11142/Media-Release-Tiles-9.webp) 

 

 

 

 

 

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3. TCCI welcomes TasWater price cut – but 4.4% rise still too high
 
 

 

 

  The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the Tasmanian Economic Regulator’s draft decision to slash TasWater’s proposed water and sewerage price increases, but says the revised 4.4 per cent annual rise from 2026 is still too high for Tasmanian businesses and the community.

TCCI CEO Michael Bailey said the Regulator’s decision to halve TasWater’s proposed increase from 8.8 per cent to 4.4 per cent is a step in the right direction, but remains significantly above CPI and out of step with the cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business pressures facing the state.

> “Business and households will be relieved that the Regulator has rejected TasWater’s  
> original plan for steep, compounding hikes, but a 4.4 per cent annual increase is still well above CPI and will flow straight through to rents, accommodation prices, and the cost of goods and services,” Mr Bailey said.

“Tasmania already struggles with energy, water and regulatory costs that are too often higher and more volatile than on the mainland.”

Mr Bailey said water and sewerage are essential services, but as a state-owned monopoly provider, TasWater must be held to the highest standards of efficiency and transparency.

“We acknowledge the need to invest in ageing infrastructure, but TasWater must demonstrate that every dollar of spend is prudent, staged sensibly over time, and aimed to reduce bills over time,” he said.  
  
  
**Media Contact:**

Madie Underwood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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