From priorities and projects to services and future investment, Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) is asking customers to help shape what comes next.
Every five years, GVW prepares a pricing submission for Victoria’s independent water regulator, the Essential Services Commission. The submission outlines the services GVW proposes to deliver, the infrastructure it needs to invest in, and what customers may pay.
Customer values will be at the centre of the development of the pricing submission, which will help inform GVW on balancing service reliability, affordability, water security, growth, climate pressures and the need to renew ageing infrastructure.
A major customer engagement program is now underway, giving people across the region the chance to have their say through GVW’s online Water Matters engagement hub or in person at local water café pop-ups.
Goulburn Valley Water General Manager – Customers and Growth Jonno Bellette said hearing from customers early was essential to making sure the pricing submission reflects what communities value most.
“We’re planning for the services, infrastructure and investment our region will need, while also considering the cost-of-living pressures affecting many households and businesses,” he said.
“Our operating environment has changed significantly over the past five years, and we know we will need to respond to challenges including a changing climate, population growth and an ageing infrastructure network.
“We need to understand how we fund essential services and long-term infrastructure after sustained period of stable prices, and how we make this fair for current and future customers.
“That means making choices about how we balance service levels, affordability and long-term reliability — and we want customers to help inform those choices.”
Mr Bellette said reaching as many people as possible through engagement opportunities during the year was key in ensuring all customer voices are heard.
“What we hear now will influence the next stages of our engagement and planning, ensuring it is meaningful, inclusive and reflects the realities of our customers and communities,” he said.
Pop-ups will be held in Seymour on Friday, September 4, outside Woolworths from 11am to 1pm, while additional locations will be held in Broadford on September 9 from 10am to 12pm outside the Broadford Newsagency, and in Kilmore Village on the same day from 1pm to 3pm.
