This report examines the social and economic benefits that the Barwon and Moorabool Rivers provide to the community of Geelong, and the importance of river flows for supporting and protecting these values. 

Until recently, the full impacts of reduced water flows in the Barwon River – particularly in terms of the social and economic impacts for Geelong were not fully understood. As the manager for the Barwon River through Geelong, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) commissioned an independent study by consulting firm RMCG in partnership with HARC, focused on the lower Barwon and Moorabool Rivers near the Geelong Ring Road to the lower barrages at Reedy Lake. The aim of the study was to: 1. Model a range of climate and water recovery scenarios on river flows in the lower Barwon and Moorabool Rivers 2. Examine the social and economic benefits from a flowing Barwon River through Geelong and lower Moorabool River. The results from this study are intended to support more informed decision making around water resource management through the current Central and Gippsland Sustainable Water Strategy process, with the aim of understanding the social and economic benefits that would arise through an increased allocation of water for the lower Barwon and Moorabool Rivers through Geelong.