There’s not many things we all rely on every day without thinking about it, but water is one of them.

At our May Partner Breakfast, held at the Sky Lounge at Red Energy Arena, partners and guests joined Damian Wells from Coliban Water to talk about exactly that.

Damian shared what’s happening behind the scenes to keep water flowing across Bendigo and the wider region, and why it’s becoming one of the most important conversations for our future.

The message was clear. The system is under pressure.

Less water is flowing into our reservoirs due to climate change, while at the same time our region is growing and demand is increasing. Much of the infrastructure we rely on every day is also ageing, creating a complex mix that’s already having an impact.

In response, Coliban Water is delivering its largest ever capital works program, with significant investment into infrastructure, efficiency and long-term planning. The focus is on making sure Bendigo has a reliable and sustainable water supply not just now, but for the next 50 years and beyond.

A strong theme across the morning was the idea of making every drop count, not just at a system level, but in how we all think about water day-to-day. It’s a shared challenge that will need ongoing focus across business, community and government.

We thank Damian Wells and Coliban Water for sharing their insights, and Red Energy Arena for hosting the morning.