17 August 2026
From priorities and projects to services and future investment, Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) is asking customers to help shape what comes next.
Every five years, GVW prepares a pricing submission for Victoria’s independent water regulator, the Essential Services Commission. The submission outlines the services GVW proposes to deliver, the infrastructure it needs to invest in, and what customers may pay.
Customer values will be at the centre of the development of the pricing submission, which will help inform GVW on balancing service reliability, affordability, water security, growth, climate pressures and the need to renew ageing infrastructure.
A major customer engagement program is now underway, giving people across the region the chance to have their say through GVW’s online Water Matters engagement hub or in person at local water café pop-ups.
Goulburn Valley Water General Manager – Customers and Growth Jonno Bellette said hearing from customers early was essential to making sure the pricing submission reflects what communities value most.
“We’re planning for the services, infrastructure and investment our region will need, while also considering the cost-of-living pressures affecting many households and businesses,” Mr Bellette said.
“Our operating environment has changed significantly over the past five years, and we know we will need to respond to challenges including a changing climate, population growth and an ageing infrastructure network.
“We need to understand how we fund essential services and long-term infrastructure after sustained period of stable prices, and how we make this fair for current and future customers.
“That means making choices about how we balance service levels, affordability and long-term reliability — and we want customers to help inform those choices.”
Mr Bellette said reaching as many people as possible through engagement opportunities during the year was key in ensuring all customer voices are heard.
“What we hear now will influence the next stages of our engagement and planning, ensuring it is meaningful, inclusive and reflects the realities of our customers and communities.”
How you can share your thoughts:
- Visit the Water Matters website and take our quick survey
- Visit us at one of our town pop ups (locations are at our Water Matters website)
- Drop in to our mini pop-up at our Fryers Street Shepparton office
- Invite us to come and chat to your community group/organisation
Pop up water café locations:
- Tatura pop up outside Ritchies IGA – Thursday 20 August, 11am – 1pm
- Kyabram pop up outside Kyabram Newsagency – Friday 21 August, 11am – 1pm
- Mansfield Farmers Market – Saturday 22 August, 8.30am – 1pm
- Rushworth pop up on High Street opposite IGA Rushworth – Thursday 27 August, 11am – 1pm
- Shepparton Winter City Market – Friday 28 August, 10am – 6pm
- Cobram Lions Market – Saturday 29 August, 8am – 1pm
- Mooroopna Market – Sunday 30 August, 9am – 1pm
- Euroa pop up outside IGA – Wednesday 2 September, 11am - 1pm
- Seymour pop up outside Woolworths, Friday 4 September, 11am – 1pm
- Go Nagambie Market – Saturday 5 September, 9am – 1pm
- Alexandra Grant Street Market – Sunday 6 September, 9am – 1pm
- Eildon pop up outside Eildon Grocery, Thursday 10 September, 11am – 1pm
- Nathalia pop up on Blake St opposite IGA – Friday 11 September, 11am – 1pm
- Violet Town Market – Saturday 12 September, 8.30am – 1pm
- Girgarre Markets – Sunday 13 September, 8am – 12pm
Find more information, see the full list of pop-up locations and have your say at our Water Matters online engagement hub at watermatters.gvwater.vic.gov.au