Water and Wastewater Pricing Model 2025/26

• Why have my water and sewage charges increased?

• AlburyCity is upgrading its water and sewer infrastructure to keep up with rapid growth with an extra 50,000 people expected by 2060 in the Thurgoona-Wirlinga growth corridor. Our systems will be reaching capacity within 15 years, so major works need to begin now. These include upgrades to the Wodonga Place pump station and Waterview treatment plant, large water tanks and pipes in Thurgoona-Wirlinga and a second treatment plant in the city’s north.

  These are the biggest essential infrastructure projects in our city’s history. To deliver them, we’re increasing charges over the short term. Fees are paid into dedicated funds used only for water and sewer services and infrastructure. Albury has some of the lowest annual water and sewer bills among similar-sized councils in NSW and future increases will align with CPI as key upgrades are complete.

• Why is my water and sewer bill more or less than other households?

• In regional NSW, councils supply water and sewer services. Charges include a fixed fee based on your water meter size and a usage fee under a two-tier system.

  In Albury, the first 225kl/year is charged at a lower rate and usage above that is charged at a higher rate,

  Sewer charges are fixed. Your bill depends on how much water your household uses annually.

Proposed Cemetery Crematorium and Memorial Garden Fees

• Why are fees increasing?

• Our proposed increases reflect a move towards sustainable full cost recovery, as current fees have been below market rate.

  This helps ensure the long-term trouble-free maintenance of AlburyCity cemeteries.

• Several cemetery goods and services are set to change, including:
• • Memorial plaque additions – increasing by $25
  • Plaque reconditioning – increasing by $40
  • Ash memorial sites – increasing by $40
  • Applications for Permission for monumental work – increasing by $90
• There are two (2) new funeral options being introduced:
• • Weekday Cremation – No service/no attendant before 09:30am (adult): $880
  • Twilight Cremation Service (summer months): $1,400
• What is a Twilight Cremation Service?

• The Twilight Cremation Service offers more flexible and personalised farewell options on-site at Glenmorus during the summer months.

  We recognise the diverse needs of our regional families and extending funeral booking times allows for more meaningful ceremonies.

• How will these changes benefit our community?

• The changes better reflect the actual cost of delivering these services and support AlburyCity’s ability to maintain its cemetery, crematorium, and memorial garden obligations in perpetuity.

  Our cemeteries and memorial gardens are important regional places of remembrance, and these updates help grow and maintain these special places for current and future generations.

Food Business Administration Fee 2025/26

• How much is the administration fee?

• The fee varies depending on the type of food business:

  • Franchises and Supermarkets: $650.00 (including GST)
  • High-Risk Food Premises: $450.00 (including GST)
  • Low-Risk Food Premises: $230.00 (including GST)
• What is the difference between a high-risk and a low-risk food business?
• • High-risk food businesses prepare and sell food that is:
    • Ready-to-eat
    • Potentially hazardous (requires temperature control)
    • Not sold in the manufacturer’s original package
    • Examples include restaurants, cafes, hotels (with attached restaurants), sushi bars, bakery’s, sandwich shops, takeaway food shops, corner shops doing take away cooked foods, and catering operators
  • Low-risk food businesses sell food that is:
    • Not ready-to-eat, or
    • Not potentially hazardous, or
    • Sold and served in its original packaging
    • Examples include service stations (without restaurants attached), cafes not cooking food (e.g. cake/coffee type cafes), bed and breakfast premises, and motels serving packaged breakfasts only.
• How are supermarkets and franchises defined?

• This category includes food premises that meet the criteria of fast choices (franchises of more than 20 stores in NSW, or 50 stores nationally) and any other premises that handles Potentially Hazardous Food. A supermarket is a type of franchise that retails a range of staple grocery items such as bread, milk, fruit, vegetables, meat, and packaged foods.

• How will I be charged this fee?

• Food businesses will be issued an invoice from AlburyCity.

• How do I pay the fee?

• Payment options will be outlined on your invoice and are expected to include:

  • Online payment
  • Credit or debit card
  • Cash
  • BPAY^®
• When will I receive the invoice?

• Invoices will be issued to food businesses in September each year.

• Is this a one-off fee?

• No. This is an annual administration fee.

• Are there any other fees I should be aware of?

• Yes. Inspection fees apply for visits by Authorised Officers, including re-inspections or complaint-related visits:

  • High-Risk Premises: $244 (including GST)
  • Low-Risk Premises: $70 (including GST)
• What if I have sold or closed my food business?

• You must notify Council of any changes to ownership or business details. Contact Council directly to update your records.

• Do charities have to pay this fee?

• No. Food businesses operated solely for raising funds for community or charitable purposes are exempt from the administration fee.

• Why is Council introducing these administration fees?

• The fee helps AlburyCity recover some of the costs involved in administering and enforcing the Food Act 2003. These activities include:

  • Distributing food safety newsletters and information
  • Advertising and promoting food safety initiatives
  • Managing a food premises database
  • Delivering training and educational materials
  • Participating in food recall activities
  • Liaising with solicitors, builders, shopfitters, and contractors on behalf of food operators
  • Reviewing and advising on new or altered food business plans
  • Improving online services for food businesses