A welcome rise in water storage levels has allowed Stage 3 water restrictions to be eased in Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek.

Stage 2 restrictions will take effect in the Apollo Bay region from 1 July, which provides the ability for customers to:

• efficiently water residential or commercial gardens using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle
• wash their car, boat or other vehicle at home; and
• fill pools or spas with a capacity up to 2000 litres.

Restrictions remain around hosing down hard surfaces, and residential and commercial lawns cannot be watered at any time.

Residents can water gardens using a watering system on alternate days between 6am and 8am and 6pm to 8pm.

A full overview of Stage 2 restrictions will be made available at www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/Water-restrictions

The community is encouraged to continue using water wisely, and to maintain its commitment to water-saving measures such as taking shorter showers and only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.

General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher said restrictions were still required to help safeguard storages levels through our filling season and ahead of the peak summer demand period.

“We really appreciate the efforts of customers and community members in being efficient with water and making changes to help us safeguard supplies,” Mr Butcher said.

“The easing of restrictions reflects an encouraging increase in our water reserves, which has been helped by the community’s collective effort.

“We’ll continue to closely monitor weather forecasts and the longer-term recovery of our supplies, before determining any further changes to restrictions.”

Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek first entered Stage 2 restrictions in early April, following an extended period of dry conditions.

Between May 2024 and April 2025, the area experienced its driest 12 months in 86 years, and its second driest 12 months on record.

A continuing decline in storages required Stage 3 water restrictions to be introduced on 10 May.

Much-needed rainfall in June – including more than 50mm of rain over the King’s Birthday long weekend – has seen flows return to the Barham River and allowed water harvesting to resume.

Having fallen as low as 20.4 per cent earlier this month, storages have since increased to 36.2 per cent on 23 June.

A range of Barwon Water initiatives and the efforts of customers have helped safeguard supplies during these extremely dry conditions.

“We’re working closely with business, organisations and residents to find savings and efficiencies where we can and have augmented supplies to conserve local storages,” Mr Butcher said.

These initiatives have included:

• Transporting water into Apollo Bay from treated water storages in Forrest (note: this has now ceased)
• Delivering recycled water to the Apollo Bay Golf Club, to alleviate the use of drinking water for irrigation
• Identifying water efficiency opportunities and delivering upgrades at the Apollo Bay Leisure Centre, Apollo Bay P-12 College, and Bowls Club
• Providing opportunities for customers to replace shower heads, upgrade toilets and access washing machine rebates and businesses to take advantage of rebates and grants; and
• Working closely with tourism and hosted accommodation providers to help educate and drive behaviour change among visitors.

These initiatives are supported by longer-term planning to help create a sustainable and resilient long-term water future for the region.

Our “Apollo Bay: Water Your Say” project is exploring Apollo Bay’s water security, with a Community Working Group providing valuable local insights and knowledge. For more information visit www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/apollo-bay-hub