12. Cash and Cash Equivalents - Available for Company Use

Cash and cash equivalents, presented as available for company use, primarily comprise cash balances and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of less than three months and there are no contractual restrictions on the use of these funds. The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value. Refer to note 22 for treasury credit risk disclosures.

Cash and cash equivalents include contributions received in advance from customers for new connections (see note 18). These contributions are retained in cash and cash equivalents to fund the associated new connection activities. There are no contractual restrictions on the use of these funds.