We’re engaging with the community in Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek to better understand local insights, priorities and values when it comes to a sustainable and resilient water future.

As you may remember, earlier this year, we invited the community to be part of a community working group (CWG), to help us plan for Apollo Bay’s future water security.

We now have a CWG, comprising of knowledgeable and passionate individuals. We've met four times to be fully briefed on the project. We've also developed a set of values and guiding principles to inform the assessment criteria for future water security options.

But we didn’t start development of these values and principles from scratch. We reviewed your feedback from earlier engagement and developed themes and ideas, that responded to what you were already saying to us.

We want your input on the draft values and principles

We’d now like to check that these values and guiding principles resonate with you, and would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete our short online survey.

Testing these values and principles with you will help us to evaluate future water security options, ensuring they reflect your views and aspirations.

You can complete the short survey here

The values and principles

Values are the shared core beliefs, ideals, or standards that matter most to community. They indicate what we hold as important.

Principles are the statements that translate these values into actions. The values and principles will guide and influence how we make decisions.

Working together with the CWG, we've developed these values and principles:

Climate resilience
Strengthen the region’s ability to adapt to climate changes by planning ahead using science-based and innovative approaches.

Cultural Heritage
Listen, respect and maintain First Nations and local cultural heritage – sense of place and connection to Country.

Sustainability
Act responsibly and support a sustainable future by making decisions that protects our environment, safeguards water resources while supporting a circular economy for current and future generations.

Environmental care
Act today to reduce harm, conserve resources, protecting it from overuse and decline, supporting our community’s quality of life now and for future generations.

Community connection
Support a strong sense of place and identity by involving local people in decisions that affect their environment and resources.

Sustainable tourism
Support tourism and local industries that benefit local people, businesses, and the economy, while reducing harm to the environment and respecting the region’s unique character.

Fair and reliable services
Deliver water and infrastructure services that are fair, affordable and reliable, ensuring everyone shares the benefits, costs and responsibilities.

Build knowledge, participation and self-reliance
Build understanding of water management and environmental issues to help communities feel informed and confident, supporting practical, everyday activities that foster self-reliance, meaningful change and care for the environment, our communities, and the things we love.

Thank you

Your participation is crucial to shaping a sustainable and resilient water future for the Apollo Bay region.

If you need more information or have any questions, please reach out to our friendly project team via projects@barwonwater.vic.gov.au or 1300 656 007.