The number of water service committees will be reduced and renamed in a move by Goulburn-Murray Water to update the groups which provide feedback and consultation on water delivery issues.
The three new Goulburn Murray Irrigation District customer committees will be selected following an expressions-of-interest process and then, if there is more interest than vacancies, there will be an election process.
For the remaining four new committees, there will be an expressions-of-interest process and members will be selected by a panel consisting of a G-MW board member, a general manager, an existing customer committee member, and an independent community member.
G-MW Managing Director Charmaine Quick said the new engagement model was designed to attract busy customers who wanted to make an impact on rural water management and support G-MW’s vision: Water for a thriving northern Victoria.
“The water service committees (WSCs) have provided an invaluable connection to our customers over many years,” she said.
“However, in recent years, it has been harder to attract and keep committee members.
“There have been significant changes to our irrigation network, our customer demographics and the services we provide.
“It is important G-MW adapts how it engages with its customers to reflect these changes.”
Since late 2023, G-MW has been in discussions with water service committee members about a new model.
The new model was endorsed by G-MW’s board on Wednesday, October 23.
“I greatly appreciate the contributions of the members across our WSCs,” Ms Quick said.
“We are thankful for the time they have committed to representing our customers, and for the sound feedback they have provided.
“We look forward to working with our customers through the new committees in the future.”
The new model will see the following customer committees established:
• G-MW GMID Customer Committee – East
• G-MW GMID Customer Committee – Central
• G-MW GMID Customer Committee – West
• G-MW Diversions Customer Committee
• G-MW Pumped Districts Customer Committee
• G-MW Water Districts Customer Committee
• G-MW Loch Garry Customer Committee (to be established after Loch Garry Future Service Strategy is completed)
Expressions of interest for the customer committees will open in January 2025.