Have your say on changes to our Permanent Water Saving Plan
We are proposing some changes to our Permanent Water Saving Plan, and would like your feedback.
The proposed changes are in line with a statewide review of the current permanent water saving rules in place across Victoria.
Our community are excellent water savers. Thanks to their efforts, solid winter rain and new infrastructure, Geelong's storages are in excellent shape.
The proposed changes are designed to lock in water saving behaviour adopted during the drought and to establish more consistency across Victoria.
The draft Permanent Water Saving Plan can be downloaded using the link below. You can also contact us for a printed copy.
Summary of the main proposed changes
Under the proposed Permanent Water Saving Plan:
- Hand held hoses must now be leak free.
- Watering systems can be used 6 pm — 10 am. This is an extension to the previous watering times of 8 pm — 10 am. Different rules for manual and automatic watering systems have been removed.
- An application is no longer required to fill new pools or spas.
- Some other minor changes are proposed to simplifying the plan and make it easier to understand.
Have your say
We welcome your feedback on the proposed changes.
Feedback must be in writing to Barwon Water, PO Box 659 Geelong VIC 3220, or by email.
Submissions close Thursday 17 November 2011.
Please note: We will share your feedback with the Department of Sustainability and Environment for the purpose of analysing broader community views. We may contact you if we need to clarify your input or seek more information from you.
Water restrictions in our region
The Permanent Water Saving Plan currently applies across Barwon Water's entire service region.
More on the Permanent Water Saving Plan
Given Geelong's healthy water storage levels and new water sources, staged water restrictions are not expected in the greater Geelong region in the near future.
However, water restrictions may be required in Colac, Apollo Bay, Aireys Inlet and/or Lorne when storage is limited, or during times of drought. For instance, Apollo Bay will be subject to seasonal (summer) restrictions until a new water storage is completed in 2014.
More information
Media release from the Minister for Water: New water restrictions released for public comment