Urban Water Strategy 2027

What is the 2027 Urban Water Strategy?

Our 2027 Urban Water Strategy will set out our 50-year plan to have enough water to meet the needs of our communities, businesses, agriculture and industry, for cultural values and to improve the health of our waterways.   

Don’t be concerned about the “urban” label. The rural, coastal and agricultural municipality of Bass Coast is included, along with its permanent and holiday populations across distinct serviced areas. 

Our region is growing, and our climate is becoming hotter and drier, increasing demand for water. At the same time, less water is flowing into our storages.  

To respond, we are exploring a mix of water savings, water smarts and alternative water sources, but good planning takes time, which is why we need to start preparing.

Actions in the 2027 Urban Water Strategy will be costed into our 2028 Price Submission. 

And that’s where you come in. 

We want to understand what matters to you and our community as we shape our water future, together. 

What does this mean for you? 

Water plays a vital role in our everyday lives. From the inherent rights and connection Traditional Owners hold, to supporting our health, the environment, communities and our economy here in the Bass Coast Region. 

We want to know what ideas you have about water savings, water smarts and potential new water sources. 

Your feedback will play an important role in understanding customers’ expectations for water security and drought preparedness. Feedback will help shape future infrastructure and investment actions to be costed into our 2028 Price Submission.   

Ultimately, helping us make decisions about where to invest and what to prioritise in the short and long-term, to deliver water security for our customers, the community, Traditional Owners and the environment. 

What are your ideas to help increase our water security, through water savings, water smarts or new water sources? 

There are many ways we can all contribute. 

Recent feedback shows that most customers place a higher priority on keeping bills as low as possible than on paying more for improved water security, such as fewer restrictions and increased drought resilience.  

But making every drop count through water savings such as having shorter showers or fixing leaks around the house won’t be enough to meet our future water needs.  

There is a need to think bigger and explore solutions on a regional scale. This could be purchasing more water or adopting new technologies (smarts) to improve our network. 

We also know rainfall can no longer be relied on to fall when or where we need it most. That means we must continue considering climate independent water sources for the future – sources such as continuing access to desalinated seawater, (part of the Victorian Water Grid), or using more recycled water for irrigation, industry, or even polished recycled water suitable for drinking water (in the longer-term).