Barwon Water has completed a community survey seeking feedback on the proposed Forrest wastewater scheme. Thank you to all those who responded.

In March 2025 surveys were issued to households in Forrest that are under consideration to receive reticulated wastewater services. The survey sought to understand local sentiment about the scheme.

We received 43 responses from approximately 160 properties, as follows:

• Strongly support: 31
• Support: 5
• Neutral: 1
• Oppose: 2
• Strongly oppose: 4

This equates to 83% of respondents expressing some level of support, and 14% opposed or strongly opposed. One respondent was neutral.

The overall response rate was 27%, with 117 households not returning a survey. This low level of participation is notable, given the scale of the proposed $30 million investment.

Barwon Water recognises that this may reflect a range of factors, including lack of awareness, uncertainty, or disengagement with the proposal.

Continued engagement with the Forrest community will be critical to ensure future planning and decision-making reflect local perspectives.

The results of ongoing engagement will inform the business case for the proposed wastewater scheme, which will be presented to the Barwon Water Board for consideration.

If you have any questions or would like further information you can contact Barwon Water on 1300 656 007, on email at projects@barwonwater.vic.gov.au or by visiting https://www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/forrest-hub-forrest-wastewater.