New concession for low income earners in South Australia

Cost-of-living relief is on the way for thousands of low income earners across South Australia struggling to pay their water bills.

However, for other residents, both their water and power bills are set to rise in just five days.

The measure comes as Premier Peter Malinauskas scours for the infrastructure needed to solve the state's housing crisis.

Cost of living relief is on the way for thousands of low income earners across South Australia struggling to pay their water bills.

"We've just got to build more homes, but we can't build more homes unless we get critical water infrastructure to those allotments to unlock the growth," he said.

While ratepayers are expected to help with some of the costs, the state government will lend a hand by increasing concessions for water and sewer bills by $52 a year.

From July 1, the average home can expect to pay $21 more on their water bill, while concession card holders will face an $8 rise.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said he has been scouring for the infrastructure he needs to solve the state's housing crisis.

"The state government is stepping in and we are picking up the majority of that increase by increasing the concession for every pensioner across the state," Malinauskas said.

"If you're someone on a very low income in our community today who's trying to piece their life together, it's going to be really important," South Australian Council of Social Service CEO Ross Womersley said.

Despite the relief for low income earners, the opposition said water bills should never have been increased.

"South Australian households and businesses are going to be gouged like they haven't been since last time Labor were in power with unfair water bills," Opposition Leader David Speirs said.

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