Annual performance scorecard 2024-2025 (year 2)
Introduction
Every five years, Barwon Water develops a Price Submission, a five-year plan that outlines our proposed water and sewerage prices, service standards, infrastructure and operational investments.
The plan for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028 was developed in partnership with our customers and community, following five years of community conversations. We’re committed to listening and learning from our customers to deliver the future our region values and expects.
As part of our Price Submission, we committed to:
- continually involve our customers and community in our decision making
- hold ourselves to account and honour what we said we would deliver
- regular ‘check-ins’ with our customers and community to ensure their values are aligned with our service
- ensure our actions align with what our customers want us to do.
Barwon Water is working hard to keep customer bills affordable, while at the same time investing in critical water and sewerage infrastructure and initiatives to use more recycled water, reduce energy costs and help customers pay their bills and save water.
During 2024–2025 (the second year of our 2023–2028 five-year plan) we worked towards delivering four service outcomes our customers told us they most valued and expected from their water and sewerage services:
- Outcome 1 - Safe, secure, sustainable water
- Outcome 2 - Innovative, reliable services
- Outcome 3 - Healthier environment
- Outcome 4 - Trust, value and affordability
Summary of results
The table below summarises our overall performance for our first year delivering the 2023 Price Submission, using a traffic light system for each outcome, with an overall rating for the year.
| Outcome | 2024–2025 |
|---|---|
| 1. Safe, secure, sustainable water | ⬤ |
| 2. Innovative, reliable services | ⬤ |
| 3. Healthier environment | ⬤ |
| 4. Trust, value and affordability | ⬤ |
| Overall performance rating for 2024–2025 | ⬤ |
Each outcome has numerous indicators and our performance for each measure is summarised using the traffic light system similar to the table above.
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) uses the same methodology in tracking our performance and full details are available on the ESC website, which highlight our targets, results and detailed commentary. Please note these results may be updated once the ESC publishes their assessment in October.
Performance Highlights
Outcome 1: Works began on the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline upgrade
Works began earlier this year to increase the pipeline’s annual capacity from 16,000 ML to 22,000 ML. The upgrade is part of our investment in securing our water future and will enable the pipeline to provide more than half of Geelong’s annual supply if needed in future dry periods. Learn more here.
Outcome 2: We took the keys to Victoria's first hydrogen-powered prime mover
In June 2025, we took delivery of our first hydrogen-powered prime mover as part of a wider plan to cut operational emissions, lower our operational costs, and strengthen our region’s circular economy. Learn more here.
Outcome 3: Porronggitj Karrong project honoured with Victorian Water Award
The Porronggitj Karrong project led by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Barwon Water, will rehabilitate the 66-hectare river plain on the banks of the Barwon River, to create “a balanced ecological system incorporating Wadawurrung Cultural values for the whole community to connect, listen and learn from Country”. Learn more here.
Outcome 4: 2025 community grants program
Our Community Grants Program continued with the announcement of our 2025 grants recipients. This year, our grants are backing many initiatives focused on environmental restoration, sustainable water use, and social inclusion and wellbeing. Learn more here.