Community
24 October, 2025
Coffee catch-up with community
WANNON Water this week paid a visit to Derrinallum to hear from residents about their water questions and concerns over a cup of coffee and a biscuit.
The coffee-catch-up was held on Monday at the Derrinallum Community Hall, with a table set up inside with information and Wannon Water handouts.
Wannon Water community education and engagement advisor Naomi Turner said the coffee catch-up is part of their annual community engagement.
She said each community gets a visit over a five-year cycle, allowing for visits across the service area from Balmoral down to Port Campbell.
“All of our little towns are different, and they’ve all got water from different places and different challenges within each community,” Ms Turner said.
“It’s really important we get out to talk to the people who live in those places, so we get to hear what it’s like to live there, how they feel about their water, whether they’re happy to drink it and whether they have any issues.
“That helps us with planning and working out where we need to invest time, resources and money, where infrastructure needs upgrading and whether there is more information our communities need from us.
“This is just a really good chance for us to find out what communities need from us, and for us to be able to tell people what our plans for the future are.”
Residents who attended were asked to complete a survey to assist Wannon Water with planning for the future and were able to take home handouts such as metal water bottles, shower timers and tote bags.
Ms Turner said it was important Wannon Water visited the communities they service and are always looking for opportunities to contribute to the community.
“It’s important for us to get out face-to-face with people so they can understand we are a friendly face, and if people are having issues they can just call up know there’s someone they can speak to to help them out,” she said.
“We’re part of the same community, too – we’re drinking the same water and shopping at the same shops.
“We’re a water provider, but we’re trying to be a good citizen to the community as well – it’s not just water we’re concerned about.
“We have an annual grant program for example – they’re a small grant, but they have been really great for smaller communities.
“We’re very mindful we’re a monopoly – we don’t have competition, so we’re very aware of our place in the community and that people need to trust us.”
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