A NEW draft plan will have Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) seek to balance investment in the region and sustainable services with affordability, with customers encouraged to have their say on the 2023–28 Pricing Submission.

Every five years GVW develops a pricing submission, which sets out proposed prices, services and projects.

Managing director Steve Capewell said GVW had developed a plan that balances fairness, affordability and planning for the challenges of the future.

"We know our climate is changing and more people are living regionally, so we must prepare for a future where we can provide services that meet our customers' needs," Dr Capewell said.

"We want to invest in our infrastructure so we can keep delivering the services that customers trust sustainably, as well as leading projects that improve the health and prosperity of our region."

Dr Capewell said based on customer feedback, the plan had been developed to give customers what they want at the lowest possible price.

"Customers have told us they want us to keep bills affordable, but they also support us investing to maintain and improve infrastructure, as well as meeting our net zero carbon emissions target by 2035," Dr Capewell said.

"We know that financial pressures can affect any one at any time, so we're investing more to support customers who may have trouble paying their water bill and encourage peopl...