NEW Goulburn Murray irrigation customer committee member Tony Sawers believes fresh and constructive input can help the water business evolve.
Mr Sawers was one of four Loddon irrigators named last Thursday to the new committee following elections in April when five farmers vied to represent the district on the customer committee - west.
More than 70 irrigators voted with the GMW board appointing Mr Sawers, Doug Perryman, Todd Martin and Matthew Chalmers. Robert Moon was unsuccessful.
Mr Sawers said the new committee with fresh faces would was “outside blood that can be quite helpful in the future of water delivery in our district. GMW is still evolving as a government business ... I think they are progressing and that could be achieved faster yet,” said the major Boort irrigator.
“Our role as members of the committee will be get a strong focus on what GMW customers want.”
Mr Sawers was among district irrigators who raised concerns about inflexibility with allocation of water shares and access when GMW imposed rationing in the Boort, Dingee and Calivil districts earlier this year.
GMW managing director Charmaine Quick said the customer committees replaced former water service committees, with water service committees consulted regarding the new customer committees and how members would be selected.
Elections were held for the central and west Committees, covering the Central Goulburn region, and the Loddon Valley and Torrumbarry areas.
Applicants for the diversions, pumped districts and water districts customer committees were assessed by a panel using a selection matrix, to ensure a balance of skills and experience.
GMW chair Diane James said: “Customer committee members will provide a valuable link between GMW and its customers,” she said.
“We appreciate the skills and insights the new members bring and look forward to working with them to help our region thrive.”
An induction day and annual  summit for all customer committee members will be held in late June.
GMW said committees would focus on scenario planning for GMW’s drought and climate action responses, asset management profiling, advising on GMW’s price submission for 2028-2032, considering research into the future of water availability, and improvements to GMW’s services and customer experience.