Barwon Water is engaging with the Lorne community to better understand local insights, priorities and values when it comes to a sustainable and resilient water future for Lorne.

We are eager to understand and support the values and priorities of residents, businesses, community groups and regular visitors and work together to plan for long-term water security, climate change mitigation, affordability, environmental preservation and any other key values that the community shares.

You can always ask a question below, send our friendly team a direct message at projects@barwonwater.vic.gov.au or call us on 1300 656 007.

More about Lorne: Water, Your Say

As a popular destination on the Great Ocean Road, Lorne attracts large numbers of visitors every year, creating a variety of challenges and opportunities for the town. Lorne’s drinking water is sourced exclusively from the Allen Reservoir.

Barwon Water has an entitlement to use up to 510 ML/year from the St George and Erskine Rivers but we only take water from the Allen Reservoir on the St George River. In summer, naturally low flows in the St George River mean we rely on water stored in Allen Reservoir harvested over the winter and spring to keep Lorne supplied.

The Erskine River has no storage facility, so the low flows in summer - which is when we need water the most to service Lorne's bustling tourist season - prevents us from sourcing water.

While Lorne’s water supply is secure for the immediate future, the purpose of the Lorne: Water, Your Say program is to plan and implement actions to create a sustainable and resilient water future for Lorne. We are keen to work together on challenges and opportunities.

We're planning for Lorne’s long-term water future - and we’d love your input.

We’ve been working with the our Lorne: Water, Your Say Community Working Group, the Lorne community and key stakeholders to develop a number of alternative ways to meet the long-term water supply needs of the town. This includes a range of options to promote smarter water use and finding more water to increase supply.

We’re now inviting you to provide feedback on which options you’d like to see recommended to Barwon Water’s Board.

See the details for opportunities below.