Community Engagement

Goulburn Valley Water is committed to community engagement.  It is an integral part of its business activities and is vital to building stronger relationships between the Corporation and the communities it operates in.

Goulburn Valley Water has adopted the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) approach to community engagement.  The Corporation has integrated the principles of IAP2 into its systems and processes, involving all its employees, and working in partnerships with its customers and the wider community to ensure that its water and sewerage services meets all regulatory requirements.

Goulburn Valley Water’s commitment to community engagement is driven by the Board of Directors and Executive Management Team and extends to all functions and all levels across the Corporation.

Through adopting the IAP2 principles Goulburn Valley Water will develop and maintain a culture which encourages open and transparent engagement that ensures its community and stakeholders are informed and contribute to the decision making process.  The responsibility for community engagement is assigned to all Goulburn Valley Water employees.

The result will provide:

• more robust and sound decision making process;

• build relationships with key stakeholders and the community;

• facilitate mutual understanding

• builds trust

To enhance the Corporation’s commitment to better understand its customers and the community Goulburn Valley Water established a Corporate Community Reference Committee in August 2008.  The members of this committee bring a diverse range of skills and experience in business and community involvement.  For more information on the Corporate Community Reference Committee click here.

In addition to working with the Corporate Community Reference Committee the Corporation will establish Community Reference Committee for specific projects. 

Currently Goulburn Valley Water is working with two project based Community Reference Committees (CRC).

1.      The Upper Goulburn Regional Water Supply CRC

2.      Longwood Water Supply CRC
 

Since early 2007 the Corporation has been working closely with the communities of Alexandra, Eildon and Thornton on the Upper Goulburn Regional Water Supply project.  A Community Reference Committee was established in May 2007 for this project with the purpose being to review and provide input into the pipeline route selection.

In May 2009 a Community Reference Committee was established for the upgrade of the Longwood Water Supply.  The purpose of the committee is to provide feedback and drivers to help determine the most appropriate source of water for the Longwood Community.  The committee consists of 12 people and has been established for the life of the project which includes the planning phase and construction phase.

About the Community Reference Committees

A Community Reference Committee (CRC) is an advisory body that is convened to examine a specific issue or proposal that is of interest to a community.  These committees are usually established to contribute to the decision making process for Goulburn Valley Water.

A CRC is comprised of a range of people who represent a cross section of a community and the issue to be examined.  Most particularly, the views of people who are both supportive and opposed to a proposal or issue are to be represented on the Committee.

A Community Reference Committee is expected to uphold the highest standing of democratic governance.   In performing their role, the community expects that committee Members will:-

• Respect the democratic decision making process, which is based on a decision of the majority;

• Comply with the practice of committee governance;

• Act honestly and with integrity;

• Exercise reasonable care and due diligence;

• Be consistent in decision-making but treat all matters on individual merits;

• Be careful that information is not used in a way that can cause detriment to the Committee.