Policy Update – July 2023

Carbon Offsets Project

Proposals have been sought from specialist companies to assist with approaching the carbon offsets market on behalf of the sector in a ‘proof of concept’ phase. Following this market scanning a decision will be made on the best way to establish a delivery vehicle to meet the Victorian water sector’s collective demand for carbon offsets.

Water operations training project

On June 8 the working group held an in-person workshop at Coliban Water in Bendigo. The outcomes from this workshop include a workplan for the rest of this year, a vision and the desired outcomes for the project as well as draft survey questions. The survey will be finalised in the July meeting of the working group and then sent to members for completion to identify the training gaps and needs of the water sector. 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 the draft User Site Management Plan, audit guidance and Health and Environment Management Plan. These draft documents were presented to members at a workshop on 29 June. The feedback from this session will be used to complete final versions of the documents which will then be circulated to our members for use in establishing future recycled water schemes.

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