Water plays a vital role in our everyday lives – from the inherent rights and connection Traditional Owners hold, to supporting our health, the environment, communities and our economy here in the Barwon Region.
We’re developing our Price Submission for 2028–2033. This plan sets out:
- the services we will provide
- the investments we will make
- and how much customers will pay for water services over the next five years.
To help guide these decisions, we’re inviting customers from across the region to join our Community Panel. This is an opportunity to contribute to important decisions affecting our region.
What will the Community Panel consider?
Together, Panel members will explore a big and important question:
How should Barwon Water invest in water and sewerage services between 2028 and 2033 - and what does a valued service and fair price look like for all customers?
The Panel’s recommendations will help shape Barwon Water’s submission to the Essential Services Commission.
When will the Community Panel meet?
The Panel will meet in person on four Saturdays between August and October 2026.
It’s important that participants can attend all four sessions, as each meeting builds on the last.
- Meeting 1: Saturday 22 August 2026 (10 am – 4 pm)
- Meeting 2: Saturday 5 September 2026 (10 am – 4 pm)
- Meeting 3: Saturday 3 October 2026 (10 am – 4 pm)
- Meeting 4: Saturday 24 October 2026 (10 am – 4 pm)
Location: All sessions will be held in person at Geelong Library and Heritage Centre.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
To thank you for your time and commitment, participants will receive an honorarium of $400, paid at the end of the process.
If you live over 50 kilometres from Geelong or need help getting to the venue, you will receive travel assistance. This may include transport and accommodation.
The Community Panel will bring together a diverse group of customers from across our region.
The process will be independently facilitated to ensure discussions are fair, balanced and respectful. You don’t need any prior knowledge about water services.
Panel members will:
- hear from experts
- review clear, objective information
- ask questions
- share different perspectives
- and work together to develop recommendations.
Discussions will focus on:
- Essential infrastructure – maintaining and upgrading our water and sewerage network
- Service reliability and customer experience – now and into the future
- Healthy Country and waterways – caring for and enhancing our environment as we build, renew and operate our infrastructure
- Affordability and support – helping customers experiencing financial hardship
- Prices and fairness – balancing costs for households and businesses
How will the Panel be selected?
The community panel will be randomly selected according to the demographic profile of Barwon Water’s service region and will include residential and business customers. For residential customers, anyone in your household can register. Recruitment is being managed independently by Deliberately Engaging.
Your personal details will not be shared with Barwon Water unless you are selected. Panel members will be chosen to reflect the diversity of the Barwon Water community.
How do I register?
You can register online here.
Registrations close: Sunday 5 July, 2026
