Wannon Water (Wannon Region Water Corporation) is Victoria’s second largest regional urban water corporation by service area. We are a not-for-profit, statutory corporation established on 1 July 2005, although the history of water reticulation in our region dates back to the 1860s.
Our responsibilities
Our duties are set out in the Water Act 1989 and we deliver Victorian Government policy directions according to their Water for Victoria plan.
We provide services to 34 towns, including residential, commercial, industrial and rural customers. Our primary functions are to:
- Provide, manage, operate and protect water supply systems. This includes the collection, storage, treatment, transfer and distribution of drinking water.
- Provide, manage and operate systems to convey, treat and dispose of sewage and (if we so decide) trade waste.
- Identify and plan future community needs for water supply and sewerage services.
- Develop and implement programs that conserve water and use it efficiently, and recycle and re-use treated wastewater.
- Investigate, promote and conduct research into any matters which relate to our functions.
- Educate the community about our functions.
Our Customer Charter sets out our service standards and conditions, and your rights and obligations as a customer. These have been approved by Victoria’s independent regulator, the Essential Services Commission.
Statements of obligations
Under the Water Industry Act 1994, we’re subject to the following statements of obligations, made by the Minister for Water:
- Statement of Obligations (General)
- Statement of Obligations (Emissions Reduction).
More information is available from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
By-laws
The Water Act allows us to implement by-laws throughout our service areas. The current by-law active within our service area is Water Restriction By-Law No.6
Legislation
Public Interest Disclosures Act
As a public body, Wannon Water is subject to the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012. This includes Wannon Water, our employees, officers and members. Public interest disclosures were previously called ‘protected disclosures’ or ‘whistleblower’ complaints.
A public interest disclosure is a complaint of corrupt or improper conduct, or detrimental action, by a public officer or a public body.
Improper or corrupt conduct involves substantial mismanagement of public resources, risk to public health or safety or the environment, or corruption.
Detrimental action is action taken against a person in reprisal for making a public interest disclosure.
You can make a public interest disclosure about Wannon Water or its Board members, officers or employees by contacting IBAC or the Victorian Ombudsman.
We are not able to receive public interest disclosures.
We have procedures to protect people from detrimental action in reprisal for making a public interest disclosure about Wannon Water, our Board members, officers or employees.
Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Victoria
Address: Level 1, North Tower, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000.
Mail: IBAC, GPO Box 24234, Melbourne Victoria 3001
Phone: 1300 735 135
Address: Level 2, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000.
Mail: IBAC, GPO Box 24234, Melbourne Victoria 3001
Email: ombudvic@ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1800 806 314
Freedom of Information Act
As a statutory agency of the State Government, we’re bound by the Victorian Freedom of information Act 1982.
This means that you can request access to certain types of information and documents held by us through freedom of information (FOI) procedures.
You can apply for access to documents we hold including those created by us or those supplied to us by an external organisation or individual. This may include maps, films, microfiche, photographs, computer print-outs, computer discs, tape recordings and video tape recordings.
The act allows us to refuse access (either fully or partially) to certain documents or information. Examples include some internal working documents, law enforcement documents, documents covered by legal professional privilege such as legal advice, personal information about other people, and information provided to us in confidence.
Applications for access to information must be made in writing, clearly identify the documents you are seeking access.
You must include an application fee of $31.80. You may also need to pay access charges if the document pool is large and the search for material is time consuming. Fees and charges levied underthe actare not subject to GST.
Applications should be addressed to:
Freedom of Information Manager
Wannon Water
PO Box 1158
Warrnambool Vic 3280
Under the act, the processing time for FOI requests received is 30 days. However, when external consultation is required under ss29, 29A, 31, 31A, 33, 34 or 35, the processing time is 45 days.
We may also extend processing times by periods of 30 days in consultation with you and this may occur any number of times. However, we need to obtain your agreement for an extension before the timeframe for deciding a request has expired.
If you aren’t satisfied with a decision we make under section 49A of the act, you have the right to seek a review by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within 28 days of receiving our letter of decision.
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Public Administration Act
Wannon Water is also subject to the Public Administration Act 2004. which sets key governance standards for Victoria’s public sector.
It includes a Code of Conduct that prescribes the ethics, behaviour and culture expected of public sector employees.
