Barwon Water ‘Drop’-ins target visitor hot spots

Barwon Water has kicked off its Summer Series in style, sharing high-fives with hundreds of Nippers at Lorne.

In the first of 11 community pop-ups across the region, mascot ‘Drop’ took to the Surf Coast sand with their Barwon Water colleagues to spread the word on sustainable water use.

With a range of activities, giveaways and information, the Summer Series aims to engage with residents and visitors across the length and breadth of the region during this peak period.

Barwon Water’s region – which takes in Geelong and Bellarine, Apollo Bay and Colac – swells from about 380,000 people to 580,000 during January.

Acting General Manager Customers, Community & Strategy Emma Connan said with the rising population placing a great demand on water supplies, it was timely to focus on why ‘Water Matters’.

“We’re meeting people where they like to spend time in summer - at beaches, foreshores and holiday parks – to talk about how we can all use water wisely,” Ms Connan said.

“While our storage levels are secure, they can drop quickly and its vital we all play our part in helping conserve our water supply.

“From providing practical ways to save water while on holidays, to details about Barwon Water projects in the local area, the Summer Series is a great way to engage with the community.”

The inaugural event was held in conjunction with the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club on Monday 30 December.

As well at meeting Drop and getting free calendars and stickers, more than 500 Nippers learnt how water compares to other popular drinks for sugar content; and the need to flush only the Three P’s – pee, poo and (toilet) paper.

There are no water restrictions in place across the region, however the permanent water saving rules across Victoria aim to ensure we all use water wisely.

More information can be found at www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/permanent-water-saving-rules

Barwon Water’s Summer Series continues at the following locations:

Tuesday 7 January – Riverview Family Caravan Park, Ocean Grove

Wednesday 8 January – Torquay Foreshore Reserve

Wednesday 15 January – Portarlington Foreshore

Thursday 16 January – Barwon Heads Foreshore

Friday 17 January – Eastern Beach, Geelong

Saturday 18 January – Eastern Beach, Geelong

Tuesday 21 January – Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Wednesday 22 January – Portarlington Holiday Park

Friday 24 January – Apollo Bay Foreshore Reserve

Barwon Water appreciates the support of land managers and community groups, with the Summer Series backed by the Barwon Coast Committee of Management, Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe and Colac Otway Shire.

Summer Series -  Lorne SLSC.