GOULBURN-Murray Water has announced the inaugural members of its new customer committees, including in the western region and pumped irrigation districts of Nyah, Tresco and Woorinen.
The customer committees will provide insight and feedback on the strategic issues GMW customers and communities face, and the services GMW provides.
Six committees have been appointed, including three Goulburn Murray Irrigation District customer committees, and committees for diversions, pumped districts and
water districts.
GMW managing director Charmaine Quick thanked those who applied to be on the committees.
“We greatly appreciate everyone who expressed an interest in joining one of the committees,” she said.
“The quality of the applications was very high.”
The customer committees replace former water service committees, with water service committees consulted regarding the new customer committees and how members would be selected.
Due to the number of applications received, elections were held for the Central and West GMID customer committees, covering the Central Goulburn region, and the Loddon Valley and Torrumbarry areas of the GMID respectively.
Applicants for the diversions, pumped districts and water districts customer committees were assessed by a panel using a selection matrix, to ensure a balance of skills and experience.
Selected members for all committees were then appointed by the GMW board at the end of April.
GMW chair Diane James congratulated the successful applicants on their appointment.
“Customer committee members will provide a valuable link between GMW and its customers,” she said.
“We appreciate the skills and insights the new members bring and look forward to working with them to help our region thrive.”
The new customer committees will focus on a range of initiatives such as scenario planning for GMW’s drought and climate action responses; asset management profiling; advising on GMW’s price submission for 2028-2032; considering research into the future of water availability, and improvements to GMW’s services and customer experience.
Tresco West wine grape grower Colin Free has been appointed onto the pumped districts committee for the Tresco area. He joins Kevin Grivell and Nathan Free.
“I am keen to find out the ins and outs of a viability inquiry which is being conducted into our ageing pipeline district,” he said.
“One of my irrigation pumps was found to have a heap of black plastic stuck in it.
“The plastic had somehow gotten into the district water supply system.
“The salt, mud – and plastic – that’s in our expensive water, along with a neglected drainage system and the overall viability of the local pipeline districts, are important issues for the committee to address.
“That’s what I will be focusing on.”
GMID customer committee – west (Torrumbarry): Andrew Leahy, Hamish Toll, Calum Peace, Gregory Quinn and Dianne Bowles.
Pumped districts:
(Nyah): Jarrod Tonkin, Michael Boulton and Sean Croft.
(Tresco): Kevin Grivell, Colin Free and Nathan Free.
(Woorinen): Peta Thornton and Mick Tempini.
