Driving sustainability, community engagement, and operational excellence
Westernport Water is proud to present its 2024 Annual Report, showcasing our commitment to serving the community, protecting the environment, and ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of our organisation.
Westernport Water reported a net profit after tax of $1 million. However, $2.19 million of revenue came from non-cash infrastructure assets contributed by developers. Since these are not cash that can be used to cover expenses, the corporation needs to focus on tightly managing its operating costs to support financial stability.
Maintaining low debt levels in preparation for future growth-driven capital projects also remains a key focus to ensure our commitments to long term financial sustainability, reliable service delivery and customer affordability are met.
We continue to plan for the future with the delivery of the first year of our Climate Change Strategy and Recycled Water Strategy. Major infrastructure delivery continued with critical maintenance work on the San Remo/Phillip Island Bridge water and sewage infrastructure, and our innovative nature-based floating wetland system to assess its effectiveness at improving wastewater quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions at Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Westernport Water’s year was highlighted by excellent operational results, bettering our targets in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, customer satisfaction with drinking water quality, customer service satisfaction, customer complaints and effluent reuse. We also facilitated over $960,000 in financial assistance for customers facing cost-of-living pressures through our community care program, including utility relief and hardship grants.
Our regional commitment to reconciliation continued, with strong support for the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network and dates of cultural significance. In 2023-24, we connected with our community by taking part in around 50 educational engagements. Extensive community and stakeholder engagement efforts were also undertaken across all of our projects to maximise the benefits and to minimise any adverse impacts to the public.
The introduction of a Customer Assessment Panel was also a step forward in building trust and creating meaningful dialogue. For the first-time, a panel of customers was empowered to review our annual performance and provide commentary back to every customer via the Annual Watermark assessment included with customer bills. The customer voice will continue to influence and shape our future efforts to ensure they keep pace and align with the evolving needs of our community.
Quotes attributable to Managing Director Dona Tantirimudalige
“Through clever collaboration, sound governance, financial care, and a commitment to protect the environment, we continue to work towards our vision of a sustainable, engaged, and healthy community.”
“We recognise the importance of actively engaging with customers to enhance service delivery and I thank customers for their review and commentary on our performance as part of the Customer Assessment Panel.”
ENDS
Media enquiries to Manager Communications and Engagement on 1300 720 711 or email | communications@westernportwater.com.au
