Policy Update – June 2023

Carbon Offsets Project

The Phase Three report of the Carbon Offsets project and its next steps has now been endorsed by the Managing Directors.

The next steps for this project include approaching the carbon offsets market on behalf of the sector in a ‘proof of concept’ phase followed by the establishment of a delivery vehicle to meet the Victorian water sector’s collective demand for carbon offsets.

Water operations training project

The working group for this project has held its first meeting and has agreed on both the need for the project and a high-level plan for improving training opportunities for operators. The working group is meeting again during June to develop a survey that will establish a baseline of the training that operators across the sector have completed as well as identifying training gaps. The results of the survey will be used to develop a training program that will be presented to the MDs in November 2023.

Practical guidance documents to support the implementation of EPA revised guideline for water recycling

Water Futures has completed all field work for this project and is in the process of finalising the draft User Site Management Plan, audit guidance and Health and Environment Management Plan. These draft documents will be tested with the EPA prior to being circulated to our members for comment.

The project is now expected to be completed by the end of July 2023.