Icon Water supports ACT Government legislation for Unit Metering in new Class B developments
In 2024, the ACT Government announced legislative changes relating to individual unit metering of Class A and Class B developments. Class B individual metering changes are the first to become mandatory for all new development applications submitted from 1 July 2025 onwards.
Class B developments are described as a group of individual units where each unit has their own footprint on the ground, like townhouses. Class A developments are generally flats or apartments in multi-storey developments.
These changes will see new Class B developments provided with the same individual water metering services as a stand-alone house, meaning Icon Water will issue individual bills with consumption charges to these property owners. This supports a more equitable system where each owner pays for the water they use in their unit.
“Providing these owners with individual billing will give customers the means to monitor their own water use through the water meter and their water bill” said Davina McCormick, Icon Water’s General Manager Customer Engagement.
Icon Water’s Class B Unit Metering standards and guidelines have been updated to enable compliance for developers, builders and plumbers.
“Icon Water has been engaging with developers, builders and plumbers to help ensure as smooth a transition as possible. As more Canberrans are living in units, big and small, these changes will help households understand their individual water usage, which will in turn bolster water conservation and water security efforts,” said Ms McCormick.
Under ACT Government legislation, Class A developments with individual unit metering come into effect via an ‘opt in’ period from 1 July 2027, moving to a mandatory requirement from 1 July 2028. These changes are being rolled out later as they will require more complex metering solutions.
*The legislative changes do not include retrospective fittings to existing properties, only new unit developments with development applications submitted after 1 July 2025.
Icon Water Unit Metering standards
STD-SPE-M-006 Property Service Connections and Water Meters
Icon Water guidelines
Guide to water metering in Class B developments | Icon Water
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