Annual report

Barwon Water has rolled out its largest capital works program in more than a decade, while delivering a net surplus and increasing its support for vulnerable customers.

The $136 million worth of capital and related infrastructure works delivered last financial year was the biggest for 12 years, our 2023/24 Annual Report shows.

The program is helping to meet our promise to provide safe and sustainable water services and meet future demands from the growing regional population.

Over the next five years, we have committed $950.6 million to further improving and maintaining our rising $3.8 billion asset base.

In a challenging financial environment, we balanced our capital investment with a $9.4 million net surplus.

Annual Report 2023–2024 (PDF 7.2 MB)

Support for our customers

We increased direct financial support for customers experiencing vulnerability, with $12.5 million provided in customer rebates, grants and concessions.

Our commitment to our customers continues to be reflected in the Essential Services Commission’s customer perception surveys.

Across the year we ranked either first or second for Victorian water authorities in each survey metric (value for money, level of trust, reputation in the community and overall satisfaction).

This is a performance benchmark we have maintained since August 2022.

Transition to 100 per cent renewable energy

We realised a long-held aim, securing 100 per cent of our electricity supply from renewable sources.

The transition to renewable electricity helped deliver our lowest carbon emissions on record.

Emissions associated with sewage collection, treatment and recycling were down 20 per cent on last year.

While emissions associated with water treatment and supply fell 17 per cent from 2022-23.

Other highlights in 2023/24:

  • We supplied 37,229 million litres of water in 2023-24, fully complying with drinking quality standards and EPA guidelines
  • We invested more than $2.6 million to protect and improve catchment and waterway health
  • We launched our first Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and established the First Nations Values Department
  • We completed construction of the Colac Renewable Organics Network, transforming organic trade waste into renewable energy
  • We completed the business case for a Regional Renewable Organics Network at the Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant

Our unwavering commitment to excellence saw us reach 100 per cent in the following:

  • Compliance with drinking water quality standards and EPA guidelines
  • Renewable electricity use at our facilities
  • Conversion of biosolids into nutrient-rich farm fertiliser
  • Compliance with passing flow requirements
  • Compliance for the daily extraction limits across our surface water bulk entitlements

Our $136 million Work program delivered a range of water supply, sewerage system and recycled water initiatives across the region in 2023/24, including:

  • Colac Water Reclamation Plant upgrade - $11.9 million
    • Constructed the Colac Renewable Organics Network, to help the local water reclamation plant run on clean, green and low-cost energy.
  • Colac-Birregurra Pipeline - $9.3 million
    • Constructed a 19-kilometre underground pipeline and new water-treatment facility to connect Birregurra to Colac’s water supply, replacing Birregurra’s ageing local plant.
  • Forrest Water Treatment Plant - $4.7 million
    • Built a new treatment plant, to drive improvements in water quality and water security in the area.
  • Austin Lara Sewer Pump Station - $3.7 million
    • Installed a new sewer pump station in the Austin estate, in Lara, to extend the network and cater to growth in the area
  • Northern Water Plant - $2 million
    • Progressed the creation of a circular economy at the Northern Water Plant in Geelong, which sees us partner with Viva Energy on an innovative wastewater treatment process.
  • Winchelsea Water Reclamation Plant - $1.6 million
    • Built a new underground pipeline, to allow Barwon Park to access recycled water from the Winchelsea Water Reclamation Plant.
  • Recycled Water on the Bellarine - $1.1 million
    • Progressed the upgrade of the Portarlington Water Reclamation Plant, to help supply 450 million litres of recycled water per year to agricultural and horticultural customers

Consultancy expenditure

In 2023/24 we engaged 85 consultancies where the total fees payable to the consultants were greater than $10,000, with a total expenditure of $10,297,356  (excl. GST). For the full list see page 78 in the Annual Report 2023/2024.