What are the seven Customer Committees?

Our Customer Committees align with our services in the region.

These new committees are:

• GMW GMID Customer Committee – East
• GMW GMID Customer Committee – Central
• GMW GMID Customer Committee – West
• GMW Diversions Customer Committee
• GMW Pumped Districts Committee
• GMW Water Districts Committee
• GMW Loch Garry Flood Protection Committee (to be established after the Loch Garry Future Service Strategy is completed).

Why is GMW appointing new committees?

The seven new Customer Committees will be a voice for GMW customers across northern Victoria.

They will replace the Water Service Committees (WSCs). The decision follows a year-long review in consultation with WSC members.

The new model is an opportunity for customers to be involved with the water issues that impact their communities.

What is the purpose of the committees?

The objectives of the committees are to assist GMW to:

• better understand the strategic issues facing customers and their communities
• articulate customers’ current and future service expectations
• improve key aspects of GMW’s relationships with customers, including communication and assistance with problem solving
• provide a solutions-based perspective on key business issues identified by the Customer Committees or referred to it by GMW
• distribute information between GMW and its customers, particularly through local organisations and informal networks
• contribute a solutions-based perspective to the preparation of Service Plans including those associated with Price Submissions and other projects
• provide a solutions-based perspective on issues raised by other agencies who have approached GMW (eg DEECA).

How will members of the new committees be selected?

The Customer Committees will be selected following a call for expressions of interest, which will open Monday 27 January 2025 and run for three weeks.

For the three GMID committees, there will be an election process if there is more interest than vacancies.

For the Diversions, Pumped Districts, Water Districts and Loch Garry committees, members will be assessed by a panel using a selection matrix considering geographic regions, customer types, sizes, skills, networks and demographics.

When will the new Customer Committees be appointed?

New committee members will be formally appointed by the GMW Board in mid-2025.

An induction session and the first annual summit day will be held in June 2025.

What skills do I need to be a committee member?

Committee members will be expected to provide advice, sector-specific knowledge, regional awareness, and a customer perspective.

Committee members should be well connected in their communities and be able to represent customer views.

Will committee members be paid?

Customer Committee members will be renumerated in line with the Victorian Government’s Appointment and Renumeration Guidelines for their participation. This includes a meeting sitting fee and travel expenses.

To ensure equitable access and participation from members with diverse backgrounds, GMW has also made the following financial allowances available to committee members:

• Travel allowance if required, in line with ATO rates
• Childcare allowance, if required, of $250 flat rate per meeting.

What is the time commitment for committee members?

GMW aims to make our new Customer Committees a manageable commitment.

The GMID East, West and Central Customer Committees will meet at least three times a year, the Diversions Customer Committee will meet at least twice a year, and the Pumped Districts Customer Committee, Water Districts Customer Committee and Loch Garry Customer Committee will meet at least once a year.

An annual summit will be held to network across the committees, meet with the GMW Board and contribute to GMW’s strategic planning process.

The Customer Committees may be convened for additional meetings when specific issues or projects arise.

Meeting times and formats will be codesigned with committee members. Meetings may be held in person or virtually, depending on the preferences of the group.

Considerations and reasonable adjustments will be made to support attendance for people with access requirements to participate in all meetings.

How many members will be on each committee?

• GMW GMID Customer Committee East: Nine members comprising four representatives from Shepparton district and five from Murray Valley district.
• GMW GMID Customer Committee West: Nine members comprising of four representatives from Loddon Valley district and five from Torrumbarry district.
• GMW GMID Customer Committee Central: Nine members comprising four representatives from Rochester district and five from Central Goulburn district.
• GMW Diversions Customer Committee: 12 members comprising three representatives each from the regions of Kiewa/Mitta Mitta/Upper Murray, Ovens/King/Mid Murray, Goulburn Broken, and Loddon Campaspe (each region to have a Regulated, Unregulated, and Groundwater representative).
• GMW Pumped Districts Customer Committee: Nine members comprising of three representative each from the regions of Nyah, Tresco and Woorinen.
• GMW Water Districts Customer Committee: Six members comprising of one representative each from the regions of Tungamah, Normanville, East Loddon, Mitiamo, East Loddon (North) and West Loddon.
• GMW Loch Garry Customer Committee: Eight members from the Loch Garry customer group.

How long can a member be on a committee?

Committee members will be appointed for 3-year terms. Committee members can then apply via an expression of interest process to serve additional 3-year terms, up to a maximum tenure of 9 consecutive years.

How can I find out more about the committees and the process to apply?

If you would like more information on our Customer Committees, or would like to discuss how to apply, please phone GMW on 1800 013 357.

More resources, including the Customer Committee Terms of Reference, can be found in the Document Library on this page.

The form to express an interest for the committees will be available on this website from Monday 27 January 2025.