Help shape the future of East Gippsland Water services and get paid for your time

3rd March 2022

East Gippsland Water is seeking customers to help shape the future of its services – with participants to be paid for their time.

The corporation will be running a special forum where its customers will help make some big decisions about key areas of the business, as East Gippsland Water looks to spend $200 million to upgrade and replace infrastructure in the next ten years.

East Gippsland Water’s Managing Director, Steve McKenzie, said, “This is a great opportunity for customers to collaborate with us on some very important decision-making. Their recommendations will be put forward to our Board, which will influence how East Gippsland Water proceeds with prices and services for the five year period 2023 to 2028.

“Customers from all walks of life are encouraged to register their interest to participate. Participants will receive payment to recognise their time and commitment to the forum. No forum experience is necessary, or prior knowledge about water or wastewater. All we ask is enthusiasm to represent a diverse community.”

Two questions to be considered at the forum are:

1. East Gippsland Water has to spend more replacing ageing infrastructure in the next 10 years than the previous 10 years. What is the fairest way of sharing the cost of these projects between current and future customers?

2. Over the last few years, East Gippsland customers have been impacted by drought, bushfires and the pandemic. East Gippsland Water currently distributes $150,000 per year to customers who have fallen on hard times. In the next five years, how much money should be distributed to customers and how should this be used?

The special forum will take place over three weekend days in late April and early May and will be conducted over Zoom video conference. If you are not familiar with Zoom, the facilitators will hold a practice session to introduce you to the technology.

By registering your interest, you will also go into a free prize draw to win $100 credit to your East Gippsland Water account.

To register go to the website egwater.vic.gov.au and click on ‘Your voice matters’ on the home page.

If you have any questions, or need assistance registering, please contact the Community Engagement team on 1800 671 841.

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