25 February 2022
Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) is calling for customers to help make decisions on future services, prices and plans by registering an expression of interest for a customer panel.
The panel will be one of the final engagement stages for GVW’s pricing submission to the Essential Services Commission, which will set prices for the next five years and include projects that are a priority for customers and the community.
GVW Managing Director Steve Capewell said GVW has been working with customers over the past 12 months to inform the submission through our “Think Beyond Water” campaign.
“Think Beyond Water is all about understanding our what our customers and communities value.”
“We're asking people to help shape our services and pricing by telling us what they think about our future services.”
Dr Capewell said GVW has interviewed people, sent out surveys, visited community groups and run online panels and focus groups to understand what customers want and are willing to pay for during our first stages of engagement. Now GVW is moving into the next stage, holding a deliberative forum with a customer panel. The forum will be run over six sessions facilitated by an independent consultant.
“At the sessions customers will learn about three ideas proposed for the submission and will make decisions on how much to invest and what action we should take.”
“They will deliberate on topics of regional leadership, carbon abatement and support for customers in need.”
A selection process will take place over coming weeks to ensure the 40 members of the panel represent GVW customers. Members on the panel will come from across the GVW service area, and will include home owners, tenants, businesses and future customers.”
“We are planning for our future so it’s customers of our future that we need to ask for their thoughts – registrations are open to those who are 17 years and older.”
“We genuinely want to engage broadly and deeply and so we ask any customers, or future customers, with an interest in our water future to register their interest for selection on the panel.”
The six sessions will be held over March, April and May 2022 and will be run in-person and online during evenings and on weekends. Customers will be paid for their involvement and also given the opportunity to contribute their ideas at future forums.
Customers with questions about the panel or GVW’s Think Beyond Water campaign can email engage@gvwater.vic.gov.au, or to register interest visit our website at www.gvwater.vic.gov.au/thinkbeyondwater.
The expression of interest deadline is 11:59pm, Friday 4 March.