Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) is reviewing its current activities to identify opportunities to provide support and relief for customers affected by the fires over the past week. G-MW is also working with government agencies and other local authorities to provide help where it can to communities and other organisations across the region.
G-MW Managing Director David Stewart said," The thoughts of our Board, management and staff are with everyone who has been touched by this week's tragic events. We would also like to thank the members and volunteers of the CFA, police, emergency services and other organisations for their heroic and ongoing efforts."
Mr Stewart said G-MW has deferred issuing Fixed Water Charge Instalment notices and any overdue accounts to all customers.
"These notices were scheduled to be posted this week, but we have opted to delay them for a month and we will adjust subsequent payment dates to reflect this as well," said Mr Stewart.
G-MW is also encouraging fire affected customers who may be waiting for written confirmation of trades, licence applications or other processes to contact G-MW on 1800 013357. Fire affected customers can also contact G-MW to assist with obtaining copies of documentation.
"We are conscious there are real challenges with delivering some of our letters at this stage, but we do not want to cause unnecessary delays or difficulties for our customers so we are asking customers to contact us to discuss their situation. We will make every effort to assist customers," said Mr Stewart.
With many customers in the fire-affected areas sourcing their water from unregulated streams and groundwater bores, there have been significant disruptions to their services.
"The local impact has been significant with customers losing bores, pumps and other assets that are critical to accessing and using their water supplies. Based on our experience from previous fires, we would expect future rainfall to wash silt and ash into these streams and this will impact on local water quality at that time. We will continue to work with the local communities to manage these immediate and longer term challenges as best we can," said Mr Stewart.
The fires have burned a small portion of the water catchment areas at Lake Eppalock, but overall there has been limited impact on G-MW storage and delivery assets.
Mr Stewart also confirmed that G-MW was proud of its employees who are involved in fire fighting activities and would continue to make staff and resources available to assist with fire fighting efforts.
"With more than 600 staff and their families across our region, the events have impacted on our G-MW family. Our staff donation system that has been overwhelmed with clothes, children's toys and food products. We are donating the proceeds from our recent G-MW charity golf day to the Premier's bushfire relief appeal. Over the coming weeks and months we will look to where we can further help our customers and their communities recover," said Mr Stewart.
In response to suggestions by staff, G-MW has also put in place arrangements that will enable staff to donate one day's pay from their accrued leave to the Premier's bushfire relief appeal.
G-MW's service region that extends from east of Corryong to west of Bendigo and up to Swan Hill. G-MW provides bulk water supplies to urban water authorities, and manages the sharing and distribution of irrigation supplies to farmers within its region.
- ENDS -
Media Contact: Linda Nieuwenhuizen
Position: Manager Stakeholder Relations
Telephone: 03 5833 5776 or 0412 183 792