During February and early March, 2017, 27 randomly selected customers came together online and face-to-face to consider the questions ‘what do you value most about your water and sewerage services' and 'what do you expect in the future?’

The panel had the opportunity to influence Barwon Water services and charges. They developed a report which outlined five outcomes and 15 agreed preferences on what Barwon Water should do more, less or the same in order to achieve these outcomes over the next five years. These outcomes included:

• Use of innovation and technology

Working in partnership with customers to use innovation to encourage water efficiency, and staying at the forefront of technological advances to maintain and improve existing

• Affordability of services

Implement a fair and equitable pricing structure that takes into account different circumstances i.e. smaller households, lower socioeconomic groups and future developments.

• Environmentally sustainable services

Deliver services of water supply and all water treatment in an environmentally and financially sustainable manner, meeting the community needs towards 2025 and over the next 50 years.

• Community resources, knowledge and education

Whole community is more informed and educated on: the complexities of harvesting and processing water, different ways to save and use water efficiently and effectively, and new water technologies that are available to them.

• Reliable supply of water for the future

Provide technologically up-to-date water and sewerage services, and ensure reliability - both now and into the long-term future (e.g. 50 years).

The panel handed the report to Barwon Water on March 4, 2017 and will present their outcomes and preferences to the Barwon Water Board on March 16, 2017.

Barwon Water will respond to these outcomes and preferences when it releases its draft 2018 Price Submission in mid-2017.

Read the 2018 Price Submissions Community Panel report.