The group will provide its recommendations and advice through a series of workshops in the coming months.
At its first meeting, the group discussed priorities for the review. It also discussed how data on G-MW’s diversions services would be collected and was given a presentation on the history of the diversions tariffs and how they have evolved over time.
Reference group member Brian Reid said the first meeting had been a productive one.
“It was a very positive experience,” he said.
“I learned a lot at the meeting. It’s a good cross-section of diversions customers within the group, so I think it’s a very encouraging start to the process.”
The reference group includes all types of diversions customers, including large, medium and small customers from the regulated, unregulated and groundwater services.
G-MW diversions groundwater and streams manager Peter Clydesdale said he was pleased to have the review under way.
“It was good to be able to meet the group and hear their different thoughts on diversions services costs and where potential improvements can be made,” he said.
“The discussions were very constructive and I’m confident the people in this group will serve as excellent representatives for the broader diversions customer base.”
G-MW will now begin new data collection methods to gain a greater insight into the diversions services’ underlying costs.
The findings from this data will be reported back to the group in November.
Further information about the review and a summary of the meeting minutes is available at: https://yoursay.gmwater.com.au/diversions-cost-review