Successful community engagements
While each community has specific water needs and opportunities to diversify their supply, each water utility will contribute to the state-wide dialogue about how alternative water sources are part of providing a sustainable and resilient water supply.
Some water utilities have already held successful community engagements about the role of alternative water sources in securing their region’s ongoing water supply. Read below about how 2 water utilities guided their communities in the conversation about their communities’ water security and resilience.
Hunter Water’s Lower Hunter Water Security Plan
The Lower Hunter Water Security Plan is a long-term response to the impacts of drought, climate change, population growth, and supply/demand balance. Hunter Water worked with the NSW Government, key stakeholders, and the community to review the earlier Lower Hunter Water Plan. It was a comprehensive undertaking with a goal of ensuring a sustainable and resilient water supply to support future growth. Community views underpinned the review, and the water security plan reflects community values and preferences.
Hunter Water sought new ways to reduce water use and to consider different water sources to supplement supply. Held over 4 years, a 3-phased engagement program was a key part of this long-term water planning.
Phase | Focus of phase | Engagement tools/ methods used |
Phase 1 (2018) | Build water literacy in the community Understand community water values and aspirations Explore the community’s position on water restrictions and expected levels of service | Surveys – online and at events Deliberative forums Website and social media |
Phase 2 (2019-2020) | Explore customer and community perceptions and preferences for water supply and demand options – themes included long-term risk in water planning, water supply investment considerations, various water supply and demand options, and ranking of preferred options | Surveys – online and at events Deliberative forums Established community liaison group Community drop-in sessions Website and social media |
Phase 3 (2020-2021) | Collate community preferences across potential portfolios of options Evaluate and trade-off objectives Assess community views on expected levels of service | Surveys – online and at events Ongoing meetings with community liaison group Focus groups Video presentations for high schools Face to face focus group discussions with stakeholder groups Website and social media |
The engagement program undertaken to help shape the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan provided Hunter Water’s customers and community with the opportunity to have their voices heard and views taken into consideration, and learn more about Hunter Water’s services and the urban water supply.
During the water security plan’s public exhibition, feedback indicated there was broad community and stakeholder support for the plan and the proposed actions. The plan was adopted in 2022 and will support Hunter Water to achieve water security through diverse source water options.
Find out more about the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan community engagement campaign PDF, 551.43 KB, including detailed summaries of each phase of the consultation, diagrams and sample survey questions.
Rous County Council’s Future Water Project 2060
Rous County Council is the regional bulk water supply authority serving areas of the NSW Northern Rivers region including Lismore, Ballina, Richmond Valley, and Byron. The water supply system services about 100,000 people in a 3,000 km2 area. The region experiences extended periods of dry weather, which can lead to water restrictions. With a view to improving water security, the County Council completed extensive investigations to evaluate all future water supply options for the region.
Community consultation held as part of the council’s 2014 Future Water Strategy identified the need for further investigations into sourcing water from groundwater, water reuse and water efficiency options. Technical studies and stakeholder engagement were used to thoroughly review all water supply options. The council then drafted the Future Water Project 2060 and held 2 rounds of community consultation before the strategy was adopted in 2021.
During both consultation periods, the council used these tools to inform the community:
- all project documentation (including the initial draft FWP2060, Three-Stage Future Water Project 2020 diagram, summaries and technical documents for download) available on the dedicated “Future water for our region” webpage
- 3D virtual water supply catchment tool
- council’s Facebook social media account
- 3 YouTube videos
- media releases and public advertisements
- direct mail to key stakeholders
- community summary brochure
- frequently asked questions media and advertising campaigns.
Community feedback was captured through:
- surveys
- written submissions
- petitions.
Find out more about Rous County Council’s Future Water Project 2060 community engagement campaign PDF, 1308.58 KB, including detailed summaries of each phase of the consultation, diagrams and sample survey questions.