The community is invited to help shape a sustainable and resilient water future for the Apollo Bay region.

Barwon Water has launched Apollo Bay: Water, Your Say, which will create a long-term plan for the area’s water supply options.

The community-driven program will gather public feedback and input via mix of consultations, workshops, and surveys. A short survey is now open, with community pop-ups being held to allow people to drop in, gather information and share their thoughts.

Barwon Water continues to deliver initiatives that maximise resources and save drinking water, such as a recycled water pipeline to Apollo Bay golf course and water efficiency upgrades to the local treatment plant.

This long-term action plan will build on these initiatives to maintain sustainable and reliable supplies into the future, amid climate variability and rising demand.

General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher said the Apollo Bay: Water, Your Say program is part of Barwon Water’s urban water strategy and would initially focus on better understanding local insights and priorities across Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek.

“We’re encouraging people who wish to contribute to Apollo Bay’s water future to come and talk to us at one of our community pop-ups or to fill out our survey,” Mr Butcher said.

“The feedback will help us address key values that the community shares, and plan for long-term water security, affordability, climate resilience and a healthy environment.”

This summer is an example of the need for climate resilience into the future, with Apollo Bay experiencing its third driest October to January period in 50 years.

This has reduced storage levels to below 55 per cent capacity, when at the same time last year, they were almost full.

Barwon Water is closely monitoring storage levels and long-range weather forecasts, to see if the extreme dry conditions will continue and if there is a need to respond with water restrictions.

Across a series of community pop-ups, Barwon Water has been active this summer in spreading the word on sustainable water use and encouraging residents to use water wisely.

Water saving tips: https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/saving-water

Throughout this year and into 2026, Barwon Water will explore community priorities, concerns and ideas on a sustainable water future – and flesh out what a thriving Apollo Bay looks like.

“We’re committed to working with key stakeholders and community to plan a sustainable and resilient future by sharing knowledge and local insights, priorities and values,” Mr Butcher said.

A similar program is already underway in Lorne, with a Community Working Group established in 2023 to inform the development of Lorne: Water, Your Say.

These initiatives are in line with Barwon Water’s 2022 Urban Water Strategy: Water for our Future strategy.

Community survey:

The survey is open until Friday 21 March 2025. It can be completed online or via a hard copy, which is available upon request.

To access the survey and view more information on the project, please visit www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/apollo-bay-hub

Customers who complete the Apollo Bay: Water, Your Say survey will be entered into a draw to win a $50 discount off their next water bill.

Community pop up (no bookings required):

• Saturday 15 March, from 10am to 3pm at Apollo Bay & Otway District Agricultural Show.

Background:

The water supply is vulnerable to very dry conditions during summer and autumn. Water is harvested from the Barham River and is stored in two storage basins.

Over the summer and autumn period, when there is less water available in the river, stored water is drawn down to meet customer water demand.

Our community recognises water is a precious resource and shouldn’t be wasted. The permanent water saving rules (PWSR) are a set of simple, common-sense rules to reduce demand and make sure we all use water wisely. Learn more: www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/permanent-water-saving-rules