In early 2025, we engaged consultants, Capire, to facilitate a community panel which was a condition of the Warrnambool Sewage Treatment Plant’s development licence approved by the Environment Protection Authority.

The panel comprised 12 independently selected members including interested people and representatives from local stakeholders from an environment group, industry and local organisations.

The panel was charged with recommending priority criteria for managing treated effluent from the Warrnambool Sewage Treatment Plant over the next 50 years. They had to balance key environmental, health, social and economic considerations.

Over four sessions, from February to April, the panel participated in a site visit, reviewed detailed background materials, and engaged with expert presentations on the management of treated effluent. Presenters included Wannon Water employees, engineering consultants Jacobs and the Clean Ocean Foundation.

This process allowed members to identify key priorities for the EMS, explore long-term scenarios that could impact effluent management, rank effluent management options, and share other considerations for future planning.

Key outcomes from the panel’s deliberations included:

• Recycling water for long-term security was the top decision-making priority, reflecting strong community support for sustainable and reliable water sources.
• Affordability and low energy use were highlighted as essential for balancing environmental goals with practical cost-effective solutions.
• A strong preference for a “business-as-usual” approach, including existing trade waste management practices, with an upgraded sewage treatment plant that supports future water recycling, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
• Constructing a longer pipeline to discharge treated effluent further offshore was the panel’s least preferred option.
• There was also strong support for community education, trust building and ensuring equitable access to water for all.

The panel members valued the process and reported a stronger understanding of effluent management and increased trust in Wannon Water’s planning

The panel’s recommendations will play a key role in informing the development of the EMS, ensuring it meets regulatory and environmental obligations while aligning with community values and priorities.

The outcomes reinforce our commitment to a sustainable and adaptable EMS that is grounded in ongoing community involvement and support.