Barwon Water’s Lorne Community Working Group met on 22 April for the third time as part of the Lorne: Water, Your Say program.

Barwon Water General Manager of Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher said the group is both knowledgeable and passionate about Lorne’s water future.

“The group is providing a robust forum for Barwon Water and Lorne locals to collaborate on future water security options. We’re extremely grateful for the insights that can only be provided by people on the ground with local knowledge,” Mr Butcher said.

Community Working Group member Anne Mason is continuing to see the benefits of the forum.

“There are some really highly qualified and experienced people from diverse disciplines across the group, which is very impressive. I think it was a really fruitful meeting, there was a lot of passionate discussion. It has been really valuable,” Ms Mason said.

Mr Butcher said the main objective for the third meeting was to define principles and values, and the group agreed that equity, affordability, environmental sustainability, and open-mindedness were core themes.

“These values, and subsequent principles will guide the consideration of options to address the long-term water challenges at Lorne.”

While Lorne’s water supply is secure for the immediate future, the purpose of the Lorne: Water, Your Say project is to plan and implement actions to create a sustainable and resilient water future for Lorne.

The next Community Working Group will be held in June 2024. Additional members are welcome. If you’re interested in joining and contributing to this important project, please contact the Barwon Water team at projects@barwonwater.vic.gov.au or 1300 656 007.

For more information about the Lorne: Water, Your Say project visit: www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/lorne-hub.