Barwon Water’s Lorne Community Working Group met in late November for the second time as part of the Lorne: Water, Your Say program.

The group’s local and historical knowledge is helping to inform a sustainable and resilient water future for Lorne by undertaking focused discussions to share insights, values and viewpoints.

Barwon Water General Manager of Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher attended the meeting and said he was grateful for the time and energy members were investing in the process.

“The Community Working Group is a crucial piece of the puzzle, bringing together local knowledge and varied experiences to help us inform the next steps of creating a secure water future for Lorne.”

Friends of Lorne Community Working Group representative Colin Leitch appreciated the opportunity to be part of the program.

“We've got some interesting challenges ahead and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a working group who are keen to contribute to the secure water future for Lorne.”

While Lorne’s water supply is secure in the immediate term, the purpose of the Lorne: Water, Your Say project is to plan and implement actions for long-term water security.

Barwon Water’s 2022 Urban Water Strategy identified a range of options for finding more water and using water smarter, but no preferred options have yet been selected to increase water security.

The Community Working Group will spend time throughout 2024 setting values and principles to guide future water supply options, and provide input into Barwon Water’s assessment of these options.

At the latest meeting, Barwon Water shared an update on the projects and actions underway to save water, including improving the efficiency at the Lorne water treatment plant to save 25 million litres of water each year; and rolling out digital water meters in Lorne in the next few years to identify and reduce leaks and bursts both in the water supply network and on customer properties.

The working group contributed their thoughts on the flow study of the St George River, with some members joining the key experts – including hydrologists, botanists and ecologists – on site at the St George River estuary earlier in November.

Supporting Lorne customers to be waterwise this summer was also a key topic. Bushfire resilience of the Lorne water supply system and water storages was also discussed.

Over summer, the Barwon Water team will be out and about in Lorne, raising awareness about water security challenges and tips for being waterwise.

The next Community Working Group will be held in April 2024. If you are interested in joining, please contact the Barwon Water team at projects@barwonwater.vic.gov.au or 1300 656 007.