GWMWater has completed its Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Urban and Rural Water Strategy 2022-2027, for submission to the Minister for Water in July 2022. The Strategy has assessed long-term water security for urban and rural users under a range of water supply and future climate scenarios.

Observations that the Grampians catchments have experienced a greater decline in rainfall and runoff compared with other catchments in Victoria were a key consideration when developing the Strategy. A significant 63 percent reduction in the average annual inflow to the Grampians reservoirs has persisted over the period since 1997.

While the future impacts of climate change continue to pose a risk to water supplies, it is evident our fully pipelined systems have significantly improved water security for our region.

Our Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Drought Preparedness Plan focusses on contingencies and strategies to manage future short-term water security and water quality issues for each of GWMWater’s supply areas. This Plan forms a supplementary document to the Urban and Rural Water Strategy, and was updated alongside the development of our 2022-2027 Urban and Rural Water Strategy. 

Our Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Drought Preparedness Plan Overview outlines our approach to drought management and how the Plan aligns with Urban and Rural water strategies.

Supporting information...

Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy

The Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy maps out our region's water resources and the challenges and opportunities facing water users over the next 50 years.

Annual Water Outlook

Our Annual Water Outlook is released in December each year. It builds on our Urban and Rural Water Strategy to provide information about water security for our towns and rural users for the year ahead.

All offers of gifts (above exceptions excluded) will be published here, whether the gift was accepted or not.  Feel free to contact us if you'd like to obtain information from our Gift Register prior to 1 July 2016.

Gift Register since 1 July 2016

 Item No Date Gift Offered  Offeror  Description of Gift Offered  Cultural, Historic or
Other Significance
Estimated Value   Gift Accepted /
Declined 
How Accepted Gift Was Used
1 19/07/2016 Technology Provider AFL Corporate Box No $200 Declined NA
2 03/08/2016 Engineering Firm Networking Drinks No $30 Accepted NA
3 12/08/2016 Engineering Consultants Networking Drinks No $100 Declined NA
4 19/09/2016 Technology Provider Conference No $3000 Declined NA
5 20/09/2016 Technology Provider AFL Grand Final No $400 Declined NA
6 05/10/2016 Registered Aboriginal Party Thank You Gift No $120 Accepted Transferred to Corporation
7 14/10/2016 Underground Services Agency Tickets to Horse Races No $1250 Declined NA
8 26/10/2016 Debt Collectors Tickets to Horse Races No $600 Declined NA
9 12/12/2016 Technology Provider Dinner and Drinks No $60 Accepted NA
10 14/12/2016 Engineering Consultants Meal and Drinks No $60 Accepted NA
11 20/12/2016 Communications Consultants Wine No $25 Accepted NA
12 21/12/2016 OHS Consultant Christmas Hamper No $20 Accepted NA
13 21/12/2016 Valuers Christmas Hamper No $40 Accepted NA
14 22/12/2016 Communications Consultants Wine No $20 Accepted NA
15 11/01/2017 Telco Tickets To Tennis No $260 Accepted NA
16 06/03/2017 Cleaning Company Cleaning Products No $25 Accepted NA
17 20/03/2017 Engineering Contractors Dinner Drinks No $150 Declined NA
18 26/04/2017 Engineering Contractors Dinner Drinks No $85 Declined NA
19  04/05/2017 Engineering Contractors Dinner Drinks  No $85 Declined NA
20 04/05/2017 Technology Provider Conference No $250 Declined NA
21  23/05/2017 Magazine Publisher Wine No  $25 Declined  Transferred to Corporation
22 25/09/2017 Motor Vehicle Company Portrait Voucher No $750 Declined N/A
23 24/11/2017 IT Conference Door Prize PS3 No $350 Declined N/A
24  02/02/2018 Technology Provider Executive Dinner - Celebrating 30 Years No  $150  Declined  N/A
25 20/03/2018 Water Utility Service Provider Networking Dinner No $80 Declined N/A
26 03/04/2018 Water Network Association President's Dinner No $100 Accepted N/A
27 04/04/2018 Victorian State Government Department Cocktail Function No $50 Accepted N/A
28 12/06/2018 Landowner/Customer Powerball Ticket Draw 1152 No $30 Declined N/A
29 20/08/2018 Peak Body Water Sector Networking Dinner No $100 Accepted N/A
30 02/10/2018 Regional Development Awards Ceremony No $85 Accepted N/A
31 17/11/2018 A&P Society A&P Show Entry Tickets No $20 Accepted Not used
32 21/12/2018 Construction Company Christmas Gift No $40 Accepted Transferred to Corporate
33 13/02/2019 Water Utility Company Dinner No $100 Declined N/A
34 24/04/2019 Telco Dinner No $50 Accepted N/A
35 29/04/2019 Water Utility Company Function No $100 Declined N/A
36 30/04/2019 Leadership Consultant Community Breakfast No $25 Accepted N/A
37 13/05/2019 Consultant Luncheon No $30 Declined N/A
38 14/05/2019 Water Sector Award No $30 Declined N/A
39 20/05/2019 Company Event and Dinner No $100 Accepted N/A

 


To view current Gifts and Hospitality Register, click here

For more information, see our Gifts Hospitality and Benefits Policy.

 

To ensure impartial relationships, GWMWater employees and Board members aren't allowed to accept offers of gifts and hospitality from suppliers, contractors or other parties.

The only exceptions are:

  • 'Token' gifts under a total value of $50 from the same source in one year, which are considered inconsequential.
  • Hospitality under $50 that's regarded as common courtesy and doesn't raise a conflict of interest, such as a working lunch or coffee.

Gift register

All offers of gifts (above exceptions excluded) will be published here, whether the gift was accepted or not.  Feel free to contact us if you'd like to obtain information from our Gift Register prior to 1 July 2016.

Gift Register since 1 July 2016

 Item No Date Gift Offered  Offeror  Description of Gift Offered  Cultural, Historic or
Other Significance
Estimated Value   Gift Accepted /
Declined 
How Accepted Gift Was Used
29 01/08/2019 Aboriginal Co-Operative Artwork Yes $220 Accepted Displayed in GWM Corporate Office
30 26/08/2019 Institution Tablet No $300 Accepted Governance
31 05/09/2019 Company Event and Dinner No $150 Declined N/A
32 13/09/2019 Finance Company Dinner and Drinks No $80 Accepted N/A
33 24/09/2019 Digital Consultant Event and Drinks  No $50 Declined N/A
34 26/09/2019 Procurement Agency Awards Event No $100 Declined N/A
35 22/10/2019 Events Company Launch Event No $550 Declined N/A
36 24/10/2019 Company Drinks No $100 Accepted Donated to social club
37 20/11/2019 Tech Company Christmas Drinks No $30 Declined N/A
38 10/12/2019 Individual Christmas Hamper No $50 Accepted Donated to Christian Emergency Food Centre
39 17/12/2019 Print Supplier Christmas Hamper No $20 Accepted Donated to Christian Emergency Food Centre
40 10/02/2020 Individual Tech Device No $15 Accepted Passed on to IT
41 13/02/2020 Company Event No $60 Declined N/A
42 18/02/2020 Individual Book No $20 Accepted In HR library
43 05/03/2020 Landholder Wine No $35 Accepted N/A
44 14/04/2021 Individual Wine No $20 Declined N/A
45 19/04/2021 Company Light Lunch No $20 Accepted N/A
46 23/04/2021 Company Gift Voucher No $100 Declined N/A
47 11/03/2022 Company CEO Forum No $60 Accepted N/A
48 20/03/2022 Company Breakfast No $40 Declined N/A
49 24/06/2022 Company Free Training No $850 Declined N/A
50 08/07/2022 Company Webber BBQ No $550 Declined N/A
51 05/10/2022 Company Award Ceremony No $250 Accepted Attended
52 05/10/2022 Company Award Ceremony No $251 Accepted Attended
53 15/02/2024 Company Dinner No $60 Declined N/A
54 23/02/2024 Company Lunch No $30 Declined N/A
55 01/05/2024 Company Award Ceremony
(GWMWater an Award Finalist)
No $290 Accepted Attended
56 09/05/2024 Law Firm Professional Development Event and Lunch No $40 Accepted N/A
57 19/06/2024 Company Conference Tickets No $3180 Accepted Attended
58 25/06/2024 Government Agency Dinner No $80 Accepted N/A
59 02/07/2024 Company Lunch No $60 Accepted N/A
60 Mid July Company Resin-Decorated Kitchen Knife No $120 Accepted Used in Corporate Office staff kitchen
61 02/09/2024 Company Event No $60 Declined N/A

 To view previous Gifts and Hospitality Register, click here

For more information read our Gifts Benefits and Hospitality Policy.

You have a legal right to access certain documents that GWMWater holds that contain personal information, under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982 (the Act).

Under the Act some documents are exempt from release. Examples of documents that may not be accessed include:

  • cabinet documents
  • some internal working documents
  • law enforcement documents
  • documents covered by legal professional privilege, such as legal advice
  • personal information about other persons
  • information provided to GWMWater in confidence.

 

How to make a request

  1. Submit your request by mail or in person, with fee, to:
    Freedom of Information Officer
    GWMWater
    PO Box 481
    Horsham VIC 3402
  2. Once we get your request and payment, we'll review the information and get back to you in writing if we need more detail.
  3. We'll then do a thorough search to identity the information you've asked for, and respond in writing within 30 days. In some cases this time may be extended with a decision to either:
  • release all the documents
  • release part of the documents
  • release none of the documents.

If you're not satisfied by a decision made by GWMWater under Section 49A of the Act, you have the right to seek a review by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within 28 days of receiving a decision letter.

 

Fees

There's an application fee of $32.70 (two charge units) payable when you make your request. Requests can't be processed without this payment.

You can pay by cheque or money order, made to GWMWater. 

Once your request is approved, we'll let you know whether you need to pay additional fees to process your request, such as:

  • photocopying: 20 cents per page
  • search fees: $24.50 per hour (1.5 charge units)
  • written transcripts of a recorded document: $24.50 per hour, calculated by per quarter hour
  • supervising document inspection: $24.50 per hour, calculated by per quarter hour.

If access charges are estimated to be more than $100, we ask that you pay a deposit of $25.

If the charge exceeds $100, a deposit of 50% of the charge is required. In this case we will let you know in writing.

Financial hardship

We provide an equitable service to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for the service. If the fees may cause you hardship, provide a statement explaining why with your application.

 

Privacy

See our Privacy Policy.

 

Water in our region is an incredibly precious resource, and we all have to make an effort to use it responsibly.

That's why we're part of a state-wide water efficiency program that educates and encourages regional Victorians to use their water wisely. The program is a partner to the successful ‘Target 155’ program operating across metropolitan Melbourne.

Working in collaboration, regional water corporations across Victoria are providing practical products and services that regional Victorians can use to make informed decisions about their water use.

These include:

Permanent Water Saving Rules

'Permanent Water Saving Rules' are common sense rules that help us all conserve water now and for the future. All Victorian towns are subject to the rules at all times.

 

Schools Water Efficiency Program

The Schools Water Efficiency Program provides data loggers to Victorian schools so that they can monitor their water use, detect and fix leaks, and demonstrate water efficiency in practice to their students.

 

Teacher resources

Across Victoria, local water corporations are providing resources to teachers to help them educate primary, secondary and tertiary students on the water cycle and how to use water wisely. See our teacher resources.

 

National Water Week

Each year, National Water Week makes a splash across Australia, inspiring individuals, education providers, communities and organisations to work together to build community awareness and understanding of water-related issues.

 

Comparative water use on bills

All regional water customers can see how much water they've used compared to previous months and years simply by looking at their bill. Armed with this information, they can make more informed choices about when and how to use water more efficiently.

 

Urban Water Strategies

All Victorian water corporations are currently engaging with their customers and local communities to develop Urban Water Strategies. These strategies will outline how water businesses will manage demand for, and ensure sufficient supplies of, drinking water across their service regions.

 

Learn more about the 'Target Your Water Use' program.

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