Gippsland Water calls for diverse voices to join Customer Reference Group

Gippsland Water is calling for applications for its Customer Reference Group. 

Established in 2021, the group helps to inform the organisation’s decision making at a strategic level.  

It also oversees Gippsland Water’s community engagement programs for authenticity and provides input to annual performance reports. 

Managing director Sarah Cumming said the group gives locals an opportunity to help shape the region’s future. 

“Ensuring our community’s priorities, issues and concerns are reflected in our decisions, services, pricing and plans for the future is vitally important to us,” Ms Cumming said.  

“The group meets at least four times a year and brings people from across our service area together to share their diverse experiences.” 

Customer Reference Group Chair Diane Wilkinson said the important involvement of the community had led to meaningful experiences. 

“I think it’s a really important connection between Gippsland Water and the community. It has proved to be a rewarding experience from my perspective,” Ms Wilkinson said.  

“Gippsland Water has been genuinely interested in the responses that have come from the Customer Reference Group and more importantly, they’ve acted and implemented the information from those discussions.” 

Members are appointed to a three-year term based on their ability to represent broad customer views.  

Membership is voluntary, reasonable expenses are reimbursed, and a nominal fee is paid for meeting attendance. 

The group consists of six to 12 community members who contribute insights based on their lived experiences as customers. 

To apply, participants must be a Gippsland Water customer, aged 16 years or older, and live within the organisation’s service area. Applications close on Monday, 6 April. 

For more information, visit www.gippswater.com.au/crg.