Coliban Water invites customers to help shape the future of water
Coliban Water customers and stakeholders across North Central Victoria are being invited to help shape the region’s water future as planning begins for the organisation’s 2028-2033 Price Submission.
The Price Submission is developed every five years and sets out the services, investments, outcomes, and prices Coliban Water proposes for the next regulatory period. It will be submitted to Victoria’s independent economic regulator, the Essential Services Commission, which reviews water corporation plans to ensure they are justified, fair, and shaped by customer priorities.
Managing Director Damian Wells said customer feedback would be central to the development of Coliban Water’s plans for 2028 to 2033.
“Every day, almost 180,000 customers in 49 communities rely on us to provide safe drinking water, recycled water, rural water, and sewage services that support public health, the environment and regional prosperity,” Mr Wells said.
“The decisions we make through this process will help shape the services our customers rely on every day, the investments we make in essential infrastructure, and the prices customers pay.
“That is why we are asking people to tell us what matters most to them. We want to understand how customers think we should balance reliable services, fair and affordable bills, investment in water security, environmental responsibility and support for a thriving region.”
One of the first opportunities for customers to have their say is through a launch survey, now open on Connect Coliban. The survey invites customers and community members to share their priorities for water and sewerage services, future investment and the outcomes they want Coliban Water to focus on between 2028 and 2033.
Mr Wells said Coliban Water’s PS28 engagement process would build on the extensive feedback gathered for its previous submission for the period 2023–2028, as well as ongoing customer interactions, community forums, workshops, surveys, pop-ups, information sessions, and submissions.
“Our customers have consistently told us they value water services they can trust, being easy to deal with, environmental responsibility, and investment that supports regional prosperity,” Mr Wells said.
“They have also told us they want us to plan for population growth, climate variability and future service reliability, while keeping bills fair and supporting customers who need extra help.
“Our ongoing PS28 engagement will highlight the importance of making careful choices together about how we manage precious water resources, invest customer money and involve the communities we serve.”
Coliban Water will provide a range of opportunities for customers, Traditional Owners, community groups, councils, businesses and other stakeholders to contribute throughout the Price Submission engagement process.
Feedback will help test whether the proposed customer outcomes reflect what customers and communities value most, and identify any important gaps, emerging expectations or trade-offs that need further consideration.
Customers can complete the launch survey and find out more about the 2028–2033 Price Submission engagement process at connect.coliban.com.au/ps28.