Price Submission and Urban Water Strategy East Gippsland Water has nine water supply systems to deliver water to approximately 30,000 customers in 25 towns.Maintenance of existing infrastructure, upgrades to ageing assets, and new infrastructure for our growing region is funded by customers through their water bills.At East Gippsland Water, we are preparing our next Urban Water Strategy 2027. The strategy takes a long-term look at East Gippsland's water supply and water demand needs for the next 50 years. The strategy will make recommendations about how we plan to meet these demands over this time period.We are also working on our Price Submission, setting our budget and capital works program from 2028-33. Your responses to this survey will help us understand your values and priorities, to create strategies that address the priorities of our community. Question Title * 1. What town do you live in or near? Bairnsdale, Wy Yung, Lucknow Bemm River Bruthen Buchan Cann River Dinner Plain Lakes Entrance, Kalimna, Lake Tyers, Nowa Nowa Lindenow, Lindenow South Mallacoota Metung Nicholson, Johnsonville, Swan Reach Orbost, Marlo, Newmerella Paynesville, Eagle Point, Newlands Arm, Raymond Island Swifts Creek, Omeo Other Question Title * 2. What is your gender? Female Male Gender diverse person Prefer not to say Other (specify) Question Title * 3. When were you born? Before 1946 Between 1946 and 1965 Between 1966 and 1980 Between 1981 and 1996 After 1996 Prefer not to say Question Title * 4. Do you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person? Yes No One lever EGW has to manage shortfalls in water supply or quality during extended dry periods, drought, or severe water quality incidents, is water restrictions. Water restrictions reduce demand so that we have longer to respond to the incident or drought.To help manage water restrictions better EGW invests in water infrastructure to improve water security. EGW customers (you) pay for this through your water bills.There are four stages of water restrictions, in addition to the Permanent Water Saving Rules. The stages increase in severity and are designed to be implemented as drought or climate conditions continue and water storage levels decline. Water restrictions do not restrict the use of water for indoor purposes such as drinking, washing, cleaning or sanitation. A full list of water restrictions can be found on our website – www.egwater.vic.gov.au/water-restrictionsWe are considering four different options for Water Restrictions in the future and we need your input to agree these. The options are: Current Level of Service: Frequency of Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions – 1 in every 10 years. Frequency of Stage 3 and Stage 4 restrictions – 1 in every 15 years Lower Level of Service (More frequent restrictions): Frequency of Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions – 1 in every 5 years. Frequency of Stage 3 and Stage 4 restrictions – 1 in every 10 years Lowest Level of Service (Most frequent restrictions): Frequency of Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions – 1 in every 2 years. Frequency of Stage 3 and Stage 4 restrictions – 1 in every 4 years Higher Level of Service (Less frequent restrictions): Frequency of Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions – 1 in every 20 years. Frequency of Stage 3 and Stage 4 restrictions – 1 in every 30 years Question Title * 5. Would you like East Gippsland Water to... (select your top answer) Keep the Current Agreed Level of Service Adopt a Lower Level of Service (More frequent restrictions) Adopt the Lowest Level of Service (Much more frequent restrictions) Adopt a Higher Level of Service (Possibly less frequent restrictions) We manage water assets and infrastructure valued at more than $701 million. This includes water storage facilities, water treatment and recycling plants, a vast network of water and sewer mains, pumps stations, tanks and pipelines. Understanding your water values and community assets is important to help us to with our planning for the future and drought preparedness. Question Title * 6. What do you most value having water for? (number 1 to 7 with 1 being most important and 7 being least important) Question Title * 7. If Stage 4 water restrictions were needed to address a severe water shortage, which of the following community facilities should be the priority for water? (order from 1 -6 with 1 being the most important and 6 being the least important) It is likely we will need to secure more water to supplement our water supply to meet future demand in our region.Options include the use of additional river water, groundwater, long distance pipelines to neighbouring water corporations, and the use of purified recycled water.Please let us know whether you agree or disagree with the following statements: Question Title * 8. I don't mind where my water comes from as long as it's safe to drink and fit-for-purpose Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. Question Title * 9. We should always use the cheapest water source Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. Question Title * 10. We should be using the most reliable water source Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. Question Title * 11. We should be using the most environmentally sustainable water source Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. Question Title * 12. We should only use water from dams and rivers Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. Question Title * 13. We should explore using more groundwater bores Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. Question Title * 14. We should build desalination plants in coastal towns Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. Question Title * 15. We should be using treated stormwater Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. Question Title * 16. We should be using purified recycled water Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. During extended dry periods or drought, water restrictions can be introduced to reduce demand and help us manage our water resources.Alternatively, we can improve water security by investing in water infrastructure and reduce the likelihood of restrictions. However, customers would pay for this through higher water bills.We are seeking your feedback on the balance between water security and what you are prepared to pay for your water. Question Title * 17. How much extra would you be willing to pay on top of your current annual water bill to reduce the likelihood of water restrictions? Between $1 - $100 a year extra Between $101 - $200 a year extra Between $201 and $300 a year extra Between $301 and $500 a year extra Over $501 a year extra I am not willing to pay extra to reduce the likelihood of water restrictions Other (please specify) Question Title * 18. If Stage 4 water restrictions were needed to address a severe water shortage, which of the following community facilities should be the priority for water? (order from 1-7 with 1 being the most important and 7 being the least important) 7 - least important 6 5 4 3 2 1 - most important Public parks and gardens Public parks and gardens 7 - least important Public parks and gardens 6 Public parks and gardens 5 Public parks and gardens 4 Public parks and gardens 3 Public parks and gardens 2 Public parks and gardens 1 - most important Sporting grounds / reserves Sporting grounds / reserves 7 - least important Sporting grounds / reserves 6 Sporting grounds / reserves 5 Sporting grounds / reserves 4 Sporting grounds / reserves 3 Sporting grounds / reserves 2 Sporting grounds / reserves 1 - most important Splash parks (children's water play areas) Splash parks (children's water play areas) 7 - least important Splash parks (children's water play areas) 6 Splash parks (children's water play areas) 5 Splash parks (children's water play areas) 4 Splash parks (children's water play areas) 3 Splash parks (children's water play areas) 2 Splash parks (children's water play areas) 1 - most important Street trees or significant trees Street trees or significant trees 7 - least important Street trees or significant trees 6 Street trees or significant trees 5 Street trees or significant trees 4 Street trees or significant trees 3 Street trees or significant trees 2 Street trees or significant trees 1 - most important Lawn bowling greens and tennis courts Lawn bowling greens and tennis courts 7 - least important Lawn bowling greens and tennis courts 6 Lawn bowling greens and tennis courts 5 Lawn bowling greens and tennis courts 4 Lawn bowling greens and tennis courts 3 Lawn bowling greens and tennis courts 2 Lawn bowling greens and tennis courts 1 - most important Urban lakes and ponds Urban lakes and ponds 7 - least important Urban lakes and ponds 6 Urban lakes and ponds 5 Urban lakes and ponds 4 Urban lakes and ponds 3 Urban lakes and ponds 2 Urban lakes and ponds 1 - most important East Gippsland Water has nine water supply systems to deliver water to approximately 30,000 customers in 25 towns.We manage water assets and infrastructure valued at more than $701 million. This includes water storage facilities, water treatment and recycling plants, a vast network of water and sewer mains, pumps stations, tanks and pipelines.Maintenance of existing infrastructure, upgrades to ageing assets, and new infrastructure for our growing region is funded by customers through their water bills. Question Title * 19. When replacing or upgrading water infrastructure, East Gippsland Water should: Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly agree Replace current assets like-for-like, maintaining current service levels and performance Replace current assets like-for-like, maintaining current service levels and performance Strongly disagree Replace current assets like-for-like, maintaining current service levels and performance Disagree Replace current assets like-for-like, maintaining current service levels and performance Neither agree nor disagree Replace current assets like-for-like, maintaining current service levels and performance Agree Replace current assets like-for-like, maintaining current service levels and performance Strongly agree Improve the network to meet the needs of a growing population Improve the network to meet the needs of a growing population Strongly disagree Improve the network to meet the needs of a growing population Disagree Improve the network to meet the needs of a growing population Neither agree nor disagree Improve the network to meet the needs of a growing population Agree Improve the network to meet the needs of a growing population Strongly agree Improve the network to withstand extreme weather events (for example, drought and floods) Improve the network to withstand extreme weather events (for example, drought and floods) Strongly disagree Improve the network to withstand extreme weather events (for example, drought and floods) Disagree Improve the network to withstand extreme weather events (for example, drought and floods) Neither agree nor disagree Improve the network to withstand extreme weather events (for example, drought and floods) Agree Improve the network to withstand extreme weather events (for example, drought and floods) Strongly agree Improve connectivity between different parts of the water supply network to improve long-term resilience Improve connectivity between different parts of the water supply network to improve long-term resilience Strongly disagree Improve connectivity between different parts of the water supply network to improve long-term resilience Disagree Improve connectivity between different parts of the water supply network to improve long-term resilience Neither agree nor disagree Improve connectivity between different parts of the water supply network to improve long-term resilience Agree Improve connectivity between different parts of the water supply network to improve long-term resilience Strongly agree Question Title * 20. Which of the below are most important for us to discuss with the community? Keep bills low and affordable, offer flexible pricing options, transparent breakdown of costs Ensure a sustainable, secure water supply for growing population Provide education and incentives to conserve and re-use water Maintain high levels of water quality Protect the natural environment, rivers and waterways Other (please specify) Question Title * 21. Please describe a time when East Gippsland Water has exceeded your expectations, or been better than other utilities at something: No issues, East Gippsland Water has met all my expectations Quick and efficient response to leaks, spills, complaints, etc Responsive, friendly and knowledgable customer service Reliable supply of water and wastewater services Financial hardship support, payment extensions Involvement at community events, water drinking fountains, informative newsletter High quality drinking water Low costs Other (please specify) Question Title * 22. Please describe a time when East Gippsland Water has not met your expectations, or has disappointed you: East Gippsland Water has not failed to meet my expectations High service charges, billing errors Poor water quality and taste Lack of communication (no notification of disruption) Slow and inefficient response to water leaks, complaints, emergency works Management of water restrictions Lack of drinking water taps Other (please specify) Question Title * 23. What do you think East Gippsland Water needs to be doing differently in 5-10 years’ time? Question Title * 24. What is the most important water security outcome you want East Gippsland Water to deliver in the next 20 to 30 years? Question Title * 25. Do you have any thoughts or feedback about how East Gippsland Water could engage more effectively with you on top of what we have done today? This survey is part of a series of community and stakeholder engagement activities for our Urban Water Strategy 2027 and Price Submission 2028-33.We intend to have meetings to collect community feedback on water supply and demand options for our region. Question Title * 26. Are you interested in taking part in a meeting for your water supply district? If so, please provide the following details:First nameLast nameEmail address or Phone number Next
