Barwon Water has identified three potential options to support the Lorne water supply as the town prepares for a hotter, drier long-term future. While storage remains stable, the utility said that future demand driven by climate change and population growth may require new sources from the mid-2030s.
The options include a connection to the Geelong supply network via Aireys Inlet, a small-scale desalination plant and an advanced water recycling plant capable of producing purified recycled water for the Allen Reservoir. All three options will undergo a detailed technical and feasibility assessment.
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How long-term planning is shaping the Lorne water supply
The options were developed through Barwon Water’s long-term planning program, Lorne: Water, Your Say, which has engaged the community over the past two years. A Community Working Group helped identify local priorities and provided insights on values and expectations for the town’s future water services.
General Manager of Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher said the work reflects a shared understanding of the challenges facing the region. “We would like to thank each Community Working Group member who has had their say and contributed to Lorne’s water future,” Butcher said. “There is a shared understanding that we will need to progress planning work for a major upgrade to maintain a reliable and resilient water supply over the coming decades.”
Barwon Water said investigations will consider environmental, social and economic impacts alongside technical performance. The organisation has also discussed the options with the broader community through pop-up stalls, information sessions and a webinar.
Next steps for the Lorne water supply investigations
Butcher said detailed studies will now be undertaken to assess which options provide the most reliable long-term outcome. “The technical experts will now undertake detailed investigations on the potential options that will help us increase water security,” he said. “This will also consider the likely economic, environmental and social impacts of each option.”
Barwon Water said the Lorne: Water, Your Say process will continue and that further community input will be sought as the investigations progress. A similar long-term planning program is underway in Apollo Bay, reflecting broader challenges faced across the region as declining rainfall and population growth place increasing pressure on supplies.
More information about the program is available at yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/lorne-hub.