LODDON Valley irrigators have started voting for representatives on Goulburn Murray Water’s new customer committee.
Five candidates for the four spots were announced on Monday - Boort’s Tony Sawers, Todd Martin (Durham Ox), Matt Chalmers (Wychitella), Doug Perryman (Mennindie) and Rob Moon (Loddon Vale).
Mr Chalmers has told irrigators: “Like many others our business depends on the timely delivery of irrigation water. 
“To ensure our long-term viability we have invested in more efficient means of irrigating (centre pivots and laterals). This has meant we use larger flows for shorter periods.
“To ensure the system can continue to cope with a change in the way water is delivered, we need to plan ahead so that irrigators can get the water they need when they need it.”
Mr Martin, who has previously worked in irrigated cropping research and agronomy, says he wants to communicate to GMW ways that services and water delivery can be improved for these customers.
In his pitch, Mr Moon says: “I have been water services representative for 30 years and feel I have the knowledge and empathy to bring a balanced view to both irrigators and GMW for the benefit of all.”
Mr Perryman says: “Being both a farmer (mixed cropping (both summer & winter) and some sheep) in the Loddon Valley Irrigation District, as well as working part time as an agronomist in the area for over 14 years, I am in touch with the needs of and experiences had by many farmers regarding GMW and irrigation.
“I am a passionate irrigator and hope that irrigation in my district can stay prosperous far into the future.”
Mr Sawers has again called for modernisation and says: “I believe GMW is losing its customer focus and is generally unduly bureaucratic. It should be reducing and not increasing its real costs. More investment in software and capital works in the right places targeting fairness, and returns to irrigators, would be a big improvement.”
The customer committees are replacing the existing GMW water service committees. 
“A major role of the Customer Committees will be to represent the broader interests of their customers, so voting is a good way for customers to ensure their views are heard,” GMW said.
Elections are also being held for the Torrumbarry district.
Voting closes on April 7.