We’re preparing two important pieces of work that guide how we deliver water and sewerage services for our region: our Urban Water Strategy (UWS) 2027 and our Price Submission (PS) 2028. These plans set direction for both the long term and the next pricing period. They must be shaped by what matters to you, our customers and communities, and represent sensible, well-planned investments which deliver value for money.

Every five years we develop our long-term plan for safe, secure and resilient water and sewerage services with a 50-year horizon. The 2027 Urban Water Strategy will look at population growth, climate change, and how we balance supply with demand for water and sewerage services across our service area. It will consider recycled and stormwater alternatives where they make sense, and the service levels customers expect from Greater Western Water as our region grows. Your views will help us weigh up these choices.

Our Price Submission sets out the services, investments and prices, and is reviewed and approved by the Essential Services Commission (ESC). It explains what we plan to deliver, how we’ll measure our performance, and the prices customers can expect to pay from 1 July 2028. Engagement is central to this process, and will inform how we balance affordability with reliability in our future planning.

Our region is experiencing hotter, drier conditions that are reducing water storage levels. Meanwhile, total daily water use continues to rise with an increase in population, and long-term forecasts show Melbourne may need twice as much water by 2070.

We’re planning now so we can continue to provide trusted water services, support liveability through green public spaces, and care for Country, while keeping bills fair over time. Your feedback will help ensure our decisions reflect the needs and priorities of the communities we serve.

Over the coming months we’ll invite feedback through online surveys, focus groups, community conversations and targeted panels. We’ll publish updates on our website and YourSay, and share opportunities to participate through our regular channels. We’ll also report back on what we heard and how it influenced our plans.

Ways to participate will include:

• Online surveys
• Community pop‑ups
• Focus groups
• Targeted information sessions and events

Your feedback has shaped our decisions before, including the commitments we made in our last Price Submission. You can see how we report on our performance through our Customer Outcomes Reports, and how the Customer Forum independently assesses our progress, on our website.