LODDON water advocates claim they have been left frustrated, shunned and sacked in a Goulburn Murray Water shake-up of community committees.
Deputy chairman of the Loddon Water Works District committee, Mitiamo’s Geoff Thomas, said his disbanded committee had been reduced to a focus group where ideas went nowhere and members were given little time to discuss proposed price hikes.
“We were being told there was only one hour for the meeting agenda and discussion on proposed price increases was always the last item,” he said.
GMW has disbanded its water services committees and will form new customer committees.
Mr Thomas, who pushed for the Mitiamo pipeline connection completed three years ago, said: “There was no letter to the former committees explaining the decision, no letter saying thanks for your service,  nothing.
“Some of these folk have faithfully represented their communities for 30 to 40 years, mostly a thankless task. It’s only been in the last 15 to 20 years that a sitting fee plus travelling has been paid.
“ I guess that when  GMW  has committees filled with ‘tick a box’ people, who will require to be admirably  compensated ”for their contributions and when diversity targets have been achieved, we can all sleep well at night knowing our rural communities are being ‘managed/screwed over’ in the way we have come to expect.”
GMW said it was seeking applications “from individuals with diverse perspectives and experiences who are dedicated to making a positive impact” for the new committees.
Members will advise on scenario planning for GMW’s drought and climate action response and GMW’s price submission for 2028-2032. Managing director Charmain Quick said: “Customer committee applicants will have their suitability assessed using a selection matrix. 
“The matrix will give consideration to customer types, location, size, the networks they are part of and the skills they will potentially bring to the committee.
“We want the committees to reflect our customer base, with a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. 
To support a range of customers to apply, we have made travel and childcare allowances available to committee members, as well as a sitting fee.”
The committees will be appointed by the GMW board mid-year with a summit of members in June.