With the launch of a new campaign, Barwon Water is inviting the local community to help shape a sustainable and resilient water future for the Apollo Bay region.
The community-driven Apollo Bay: Water, Your Say program aims to create a long-term plan for the area’s water supply options by gathering public feedback and input via a mix of consultations, workshops, and surveys. A short survey is now open, with community pop-ups being held to allow people to drop in, gather information and share their thoughts.
Barwon Water said it is continuing to deliver initiatives that maximise resources and save drinking water, such as a recycled water pipeline to Apollo Bay golf course and water efficiency upgrades to the local treatment plant.
This long-term action plan will build on these initiatives to maintain sustainable and reliable supplies into the future, amid climate variability and rising demand.
Barwon Water General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment, Seamus Butcher, said the Apollo Bay: Water, Your Say program is part of Barwon Water’s urban water strategy and would initially focus on better understanding local insights and priorities across Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek.
“We’re encouraging people who wish to contribute to Apollo Bay’s water future to come and talk to us at one of our community pop-ups or to fill out our survey,” Mr Butcher said.
“The feedback will help us address key values that the community shares, and plan for long-term water security, affordability, climate resilience and a healthy environment.”
Barwon Water said that summer 2024–25 is an example of the need for climate resilience into the future, with Apollo Bay experiencing its third driest October to January period in 50 years.
This has reduced storage levels to below 55 per cent capacity, when at the same time in 2024, they were almost full.
Barwon Water is closely monitoring storage levels and long-range weather forecasts, to see if the extreme dry conditions will continue and if there is a need to respond with water restrictions.
Across a series of community pop-ups, Barwon Water has been active this summer in spreading the word on sustainable water use and encouraging residents to use water wisely.
Throughout 2025 and into 2026, Barwon Water will explore community priorities, concerns and ideas on a sustainable water future – and flesh out what a thriving Apollo Bay looks like.
“We’re committed to working with key stakeholders and community to plan a sustainable and resilient future by sharing knowledge and local insights, priorities and values,” Mr Butcher said.
A similar program is already underway in Lorne, with a Community Working Group established in 2023 to inform the development of Lorne: Water, Your Say.
These initiatives are in line with Barwon Water’s 2022 Urban Water Strategy: Water for our Future strategy.
The Apollo Bay survey is open until Friday 21 March 2025. To access the survey and view more information on the project, please visit www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/apollo-bay-hub
