Barwon Water is inviting the Lorne community to be part of a conversation on a sustainable and resilient future as part of its Lorne: Water, Your Say program.

With a keen interest in the popular tourism destination’s future water security, Barwon Water is eager to understand and support the values and priorities of residents, businesses, community groups and regular visitors.

Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter said that as a popular destination on the Great Ocean Road, Lorne attracted large numbers of visitors every year, creating a variety of challenges and opportunities for the town.

“Our role is to ensure the continuation of high quality, reliable water and sewerage services for these influxes, while also supporting key opportunities for Lorne’s permanent residents.

"We’re excited to spend time in Lorne as part of the ‘Lorne: Water, Your Say’ program, to learn from the Lorne community about their hopes, values and concerns, and to share information about our current projects.

“Our aim is to work together with the community to plan for water security, climate change mitigation, affordability, environmental preservation and any other key values that community members highlight to us."

As part of its Urban Water Strategy 2022: Water for our Future, Barwon Water committed to ongoing consultations, workshops, and surveys (over the next two years) to gather feedback and input from the community about Lorne’s future water supply options.

"We invite all residents and visitors to participate in the community consultations and provide their input on what a thriving Lorne looks like and how we can support them to achieve that vision."

Surf Coast Shire Councillor Gary Allen welcomed the news of Barwon Water’s presence in Lorne.

“We’re pleased that Barwon Water is committed to understanding the needs, hopes and priorities of our local coastal community,” Cr Allen said.

“Water is a crucial element in everything we do – to keep hydrated and healthy, to cook, to clean, to grow food, to irrigate sports fields. I encourage everyone to get behind this opportunity to have a chat with the Barwon Water team. I’m so pleased that the Surf Coast Shire Council, our community and Barwon Water are working closely together on ensuring a thriving future for Lorne.”

A series of pop-up stalls and information sessions will be held throughout June, with the first pop-ups to be held at the Mobile Library on Mountjoy Parade (June 6, 9.30am-12.30pm) and Foodworks (June 8, 1pm-3pm) followed by the first information session at Lorne Community House on (Tuesday 13 June, 4pm-6.30pm). Residents and visitors can also join the chat online and are encouraged to visit www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/lorne-hub for more information and the full engagement schedule.

Ms Slatter encouraged community members to keep an eye out for all the opportunities to join Barwon Water over June.

“We’re really trying to cater to everyone’s preferences when it comes to having a say. We might even be facilitating some emoji-only feedback channels for the young and young at heart!” Ms Slatter said.