New partnership to boost water-wise action

Barwon Water is partnering with a leading environmental organisation to further encourage the community’s uptake of water‑wise and climate‑resilient actions.

Under a new agreement, Barwon Water and Geelong Sustainability have committed to working together on sustainability initiatives that help save water and cut customers’ bills.

Barwon Water’s sustainable water programs will be incorporated into Geelong Sustainability’s liveability initiatives, helping residents and organisations take informed steps to address water and energy use.

The partnership will enhance the annual Sustainable House Day, delivering an expanded program that showcases water‑wise and climate‑resilient homes.

It will also integrate water‑wise actions into Geelong Sustainability’s successful Electric Homes and Community Power Hub initiatives.

The work will provide practical solutions and information to help households implement water efficiency measures, alongside energy upgrades and other home improvements.

Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming said the agreement aimed to leverage each other’s strengths to deliver positive outcomes for households and not-for-profit organisations.

“The new agreement boosts our existing relationship and builds a collaboration based on shared values, community impact and helping those in need,” Mr Cumming said.

“Geelong Sustainability’s community connections will support our sustainable water programs, helping to inform residents and community groups and to foster meaningful change.

“Together we will highlight the critical importance of water conservation, the impacts of a changing climate on water resources and the role we can all play in making every drop count.”

Geelong Sustainability Co-CEO Karina Donkers welcomed the agreement.

“This partnership will allow us to provide the community with a more holistic approach to home sustainability, through a combination of energy and water efficiency programs.

“We know that when it comes to climate change and climate action, no one issue exists as a silo.

“We are excited to incorporate water efficiency into the work we are already doing around energy efficiency and electrification.

“Water security in a changing climate is an important issue that we need to be considering as a community, by actively supporting our residents to make tangible changes in their behaviour and homes.”

The collaboration aligns with Barwon Water’s Sustainable Water Use Plan (SWUP) 2023‑2028.

The SWUP is on track to save Barwon Water more than 1,000 million litres over the 5-year period, by supporting its customers with tailored efficiency programs, advice and information.

The two organisations also have a shared goal of supporting the region’s transition to a net zero future.

Having reached its target of 100 per cent renewable electricity for its facilities in mid-2024, Barwon Water continues to pursue initiatives that reduce its operational footprint.

Geelong Sustainability is a local not‑for‑profit organisation delivering innovative projects that educate and support the community’s transition to a net zero future.

With more than 20,000 supporters, it has extensive connections across the community, government and business sectors.

Barwon Water Head of Sustainability and Healthy Country, Nicole Sexton and Geelong Sustainability Co-CEOs Emilie Flynn and Karina Donkers mark a new Partnership Agreement between the organisations.