South Gippsland Water is inviting passionate local residents to help shape the future of water services by joining its Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The Committee plays a vital role in providing community perspectives on South Gippsland Water’s projects, policies and long-term planning, ensuring local voices are reflected in decision-making. South Gippsland Water Managing Director, Robert […]
South Gippsland Water is inviting passionate local residents to help shape the future of water services by joining its Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
The Committee plays a vital role in providing community perspectives on South Gippsland Water’s projects, policies and long-term planning, ensuring local voices are reflected in decision-making.
South Gippsland Water Managing Director, Robert Murphy, said the organisation valued the diverse insights and lived experiences community members brought to the table.
“Our Community Advisory Committee helps us understand what matters most to the people we serve,” Mr Murphy said.
“Members don’t need technical expertise — they need curiosity, a willingness to ask questions, and a desire to represent their community. Their input strengthens our decisions and helps us deliver better outcomes for South Gippsland.”
The Committee meets four times a year and members are supported with an allowance to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel to meetings. Members provide advice on a wide range of issues, from customer experience and affordability to sustainability, climate resilience and future infrastructure planning.
Current Committee member Maggie Gruen, who has served for three years, said joining the CAC had been both eye-opening and rewarding.
“I joined because of my environmental interests and because I realised how little I actually knew about water management,” Ms Gruen said. “Since then, I’ve been involved in everything from touring water and sewerage treatment plants to helping allocate community grants — including projects like the Yarram water tank mural, public water stations, beach access mats, and hardship support initiatives.”
Ms Gruen said the Committee also contributed to complex and forward-looking discussions.
“We’ve looked at sustainability, climate resilience strategies and long-term planning, as well as everyday issues like billing and customer support,” she said. “It’s about promoting community awareness and understanding the full picture of how water services support our region.”
For anyone considering joining, Ms Gruen encouraged people from all backgrounds to apply.
“There are no prerequisites. Your value isn’t in being an engineer — it’s in being a resident with a unique perspective,” she said. “Be curious, ask questions. You’ll learn the ‘how’, but you’ll bring the ‘why’. The meetings are interactive, engaging and friendly, and you’ll discover the hidden side of our towns — from the massive infrastructure beneath our feet to the innovative technology that treats our most precious resource.”
South Gippsland Water encourages applications from people of all ages, backgrounds and locations across the region. Expressions of Interest to join the Community Advisory Committee are now open and can be emailed to Tracy Vanderzalm at tvanderzalm@sgwater.com.au.