General News
12 February, 2025
Corporations unite against agression
A group of corporations is making a stand against aggression in the workplace.
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW), Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater), Lower Murray Water and Southern Rural Water are all reiterating that they're there to support community members and customers but have a no-tolerance approach to aggression towards their members.
The corporations have staff in various roles who interact with customers, from those in the field conducting maintenance on water delivery assets or doing meter reads, to those in contact centres helping answer customers’ queries.
GMW distributions services manager Greg Shannon said staff were there to assist customers and had the right to be safe.
“Whether an employee is on someone’s property to resolve a maintenance issue or is talking to a customer on the phone, they're there to help,” Mr Shannon said.
“We understand some customers are currently in stressful situations due to the dry weather but threats and abuse are never acceptable.”
GWMWater executive manager of customer and employee experience, Adele Rohde, said the organisation also understood the impacts of cost-of-living pressures.
“GWMWater has recently been more proactive in our approach to supporting customers to pay their bills," Ms Rohde said.
"We've dedicated resources to assist customers to access utility relief and hardship grants.
“Our staff are here to help and we appreciate mutually respectful conversations with our customers, whether that's over the phone or in person.”
A range of support options available to irrigators can be found on Agriculture Victoria’s website: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/dry-seasons-and-drought- support/dry-season-support
People can also contact their local water corporation to discuss financial hardship plans or how they can alter their entitlements.