Barwon Water’s 2022-23 Annual Report highlights progress on net zero, circular economy and critical infrastructure investments

Achieving 100 per cent renewable electricity generation, investing in critical infrastructure, leading local progress towards a circular economy, prioritising affordability for customers and enhancing relationships with local Traditional Owner groups were all highlights of Barwon Water’s 2022-23 Annual Report, which was recently tabled in Parliament.

The report highlights Barwon Water’s work to meet its Strategy 2030 aim of enabling regional prosperity through the provision of essential water and sewerage services, delivered in a way that customers value.

Barwon Water Chair Jo Plummer said she was proud of the organisation’s performance and achievements over the past financial year.

“We’re delivering on our vision to enable regional prosperity in everything we do, and our Annual Report demonstrates our progress in responding to climate change and population growth, while protecting the environment and keeping prices affordable for customers.”

“We’re very mindful of cost of living pressures, and maintain a clear focus on caring for our customers through affordability and tailored support measures.

“Our $109.6m investment in critical infrastructure, innovation and continued proactive planning aims to ensure future water needs are met for all of our community.

“We’re on track for our operations to be powered 100 per cent by renewable electricity by 2025 and to achieve zero net emissions by 2030.”

Ms Plummer said continuing to work with and learn from Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar Traditional Owners was a key highlight.

“Building relationships with local Traditional owners is critical to Barwon Water. Their insights help guide us in how we source, move and return water to rivers as part of our future water planning, and underpins our 2022 Urban Water Strategy: Water for our Future, which we began implementing early in the financial year.

“We also worked with Reconciliation Australia, local Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal groups towards finalising our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan.”

Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming said he was thrilled with progress to achieve environmental targets.

“When the Barwon Renewable Energy Partnership power purchase agreement with GeelongPort and Barwon Health went live in December last year, we took a big step toward using 100 per cent renewable electricity to power our operations. This helped to reduce our emissions by 16 per cent from the previous year.”

Mr Cumming said the Renewable Organics Networks are good examples of purposeful innovation, creating a local circular economy, value for customers and helping the region prosper sustainably.

“By leveraging waste treatment processes and partnering with businesses and councils we are converting organic waste into products that capture carbon for high value use in agriculture and advanced sustainable materials. While at the same time producing renewable energy.

“We’ll continue to save and secure water, and look after the environment through partnerships and use of new technologies.”

Highlights from the Annual Report include:

• $109.6 million capital investment in infrastructure to maintain and improve service quality while supporting regional growth.
• $50 million sewer upgrade and repairs program underway in June 2023 to improve reliability, and protect the local environment.
• Close working relationships with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and the local community to transform two of our disused sites – Porronggitj Karrong in Breakwater and Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk (former Bellarine Basin) – into more than 95 hectares of environmental and public open space.
• Rated number one by our customers against the Essential Service Commission’s metrics of value for money, reputation, trust and overall satisfaction (for the periods January 2023 to September 2023, June 2022 to May 2023 and June 2022 to March 2023).
• Delivered one of the lowest average residential bills in Australia (as compared to other water businesses with more than 100,000 customers).
• Supported 38,678 customers to access government concessions to help pay their bill.
• Engaged with our customers and community to inform the 2023–28 Price Submission, which was approved by the Essential Services Commission in June.

To read Barwon Water’s 2022-23 Annual Report, visit our website