A WORD FROM THE CEO
NOVEMBER 2024
An issue that has been attracting recent mainstream media attention is the presence of PFAS chemicals in drinking water supplies, prompted by the United States’ changes to their drinking water standards earlier this year which makes them the most stringent in the world.
Last month the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released its draft updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on PFAS for consultation. The draft guidelines propose lower levels for the three types of PFAS in the current guidelines (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS), and a new level for an additional PFAS chemical – PFBS.
Working in the industry, we know that Australia has some of the highest quality drinking water in the world, and the risk from PFAS in drinking water is low due to well-protected and often closed catchments, and multiple barrier treatment processes. Having said that, it is important that the guidelines are reviewed in line with current expert scientific advice to ensure that we maintain not just public health and safety, but also trust in our industry and the essential services we provide.
Our colleagues at WSAA have prepared a set of fact sheets and FAQs on PFAS and drinking water, and VicWater is supporting WSAA to coordinate a national industry response to the draft NHMRC guidelines this month.
With the end of year fast approaching, there is one more event on the VicWater calendar that we invite all our members attend – WaterAble’s celebration of International Day of People with Disability on 3 December. More details are below.
OCTOBER 2024
Last month was a busy one for the VicWater team, with our Annual Conference taking place at the Langham in Melbourne. We were delighted to welcome a sell-out crowd to help us explore our conference theme of ‘Environmental Stewardship: Caring for Country and advancing sustainability in the Victorian water sector’.
Day One keynote speaker Professor Tim Flannery set the scene with an overview of the impacts of climate change, pointing out that our water systems were built for a climate that no longer exists – which brings much uncertainty, but also a lot of opportunity for our sector.
Day Two keynote speaker Victor Steffensen gave a heartfelt presentation about how we can learn from Indigenous knowledge systems to restore and maintain a healthy environment, or to quote him directly, “let the landscape lead us forward”.
Other conference sessions covered topics including the impact of extreme weather events on the Victorian economy, the latest advancements in PFAS removal, how the sector is tackling climate adaptation and corporate sustainability, key lessons on achieving environmental compliance, and how Integrated Water Management (IWM) can support thriving communities.
A particular highlight for me was the panel discussion on Traditional Owner water governance, facilitated by Dr Erin O’Donnell and featuring Jackson Chatfield, Executive Director of Birrarung Council and Dr Sarina Loo, CEO of the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH). It was great to hear about the work these organisations are doing to give effect to the Water is Life roadmap through their partnerships with Traditional Owner groups.
This year we were especially thrilled to introduce our new Emerging Leaders initiative to recognise and support emerging leaders, nominated by their organisation, with a complimentary ticket to attend the conference. We were so pleased to provide a cohort of 20 emerging leaders with this opportunity to spend time with their peers and expand their industry knowledge and professional network – plus a photo op with Minister Shing at dinner! The feedback we received at the conference and afterwards was overwhelmingly positive, and we will definitely make this an ongoing feature of our Annual Conference from now on.
Emerging Leaders at the Annual Conference Dinner
Emerging Leaders at the Annual Conference Dinner
SEPTEMBER 2024
It is 12 months since the Victorian Government launched their Housing Statement, centred around a target to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade, and 2.24 million homes by 2051. The water sector is a key enabler and stakeholder in the delivery of this commitment.
Last month I was invited to attend Victoria’s Housing Forum, hosted by the Treasurer with the Premier and Minister for Housing, Minister for Planning and Minister for Precincts all in attendance. With Melbourne’s population forecast to reach 9 million by 2050 (the size of London today), the Treasurer spoke about the need to invest now for the infrastructure of the future, and to address intergenerational equity issues.
Housing targets are being developed as a part of a new Plan for Victoria, and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) have been undertaking industry and community consultation in recent months. Along with some of our members, VicWater made a submission to DTP which highlights the main topics of interest/concern for the water sector, including funding for new infrastructure, planning and approvals, and embedding Integrated Water Management (IWM) principles. We will continue to focus on the Housing Statement/Plan for Victoria as a key advocacy priority over the coming months.
This month we welcome a new member to our small team, with Isobel Decru joining VicWater as Deputy IWN Program Manager. Isobel comes to us from South East Water and RMIT, where she has already made an invaluable contribution to IWN through her involvement in the Biosolids to Biochar project. Isobel’s commencement date happens to be the first day of our Annual Conference, so it will be a great opportunity for her to spend time with our members and learning more about current and emerging issues in our sector.
Speaking of our Annual Conference, we are very excited that it is now sold out with 200 people attending over the three days. If you managed to score a ticket then I look forward to seeing you there!
AUGUST 2024
At VicWater we like to say that collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. We saw this credo in action last week at the IWN Members Conference, which had as its theme ‘Collaborative Transformation’. Around 100 delegates joined us at RMIT’s Storey Hall to explore how the Victorian water sector can leverage our already strong collaborative culture to drive the transformation we will need to meet our future challenges.
Keynote speakers Harry Seah, Deputy Chief Executive at PUB Singapore and Mark Williams, Managing Director at Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, shared their insights from the transformation journeys of their respective organisations. The key takeaway from both was that transformation is an iterative process of continuous improvement and problem solving, and it can take months or years to embed, but when it’s done well, the benefits for the business, customers and community are substantial.
A personal highlight for me was joining my fellow IWN Executive Group members for a panel session moderated by our very own chief optimist and IWN cheerleader Victor Perton, who brought his infectious energy to our discussion about what makes for successful collaboration. We talked about the basics of good governance, being clear on purpose, playing to individual strengths, knowing when to lead and when to follow, and encouraging our people to be bold and ambitious.
But the day really belonged to the IWN champions, program managers and working group members who presented on the wide range of technology trials, projects and activities that are being run across 12 program streams. It was fantastic to see this diverse group of people talking about the things that really inspire and excite them about their work, all of them (in the words of IWN Program Director Jason Cotton) “paid up and passionate” about IWN’s vision and purpose to be a catalyst for the transformation of the water industry.
Finally, while it was unfortunate that the Hon Harriet Shing, Minister for Water was unable to join us on the day to announce the news herself, the IWN conference marked the opening of the second round of the Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge. Following the outstanding success of the first round in 2023, the Minister has increased this year’s prize pool to $255,000. The Challenge is open to all Victorian water corporations, and I strongly encourage our members to consider making a submission. See item below for more information.
JULY 2024
This month on 7-14 July we celebrate NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’. According to the National NAIDOC Committee, the theme “honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”.
Although we didn’t know this would be the NAIDOC theme when we started planning our Annual Conference earlier this year, as it happens our day two keynote speaker Victor Steffensen is an expert in Aboriginal fire management. A descendant of the Tagalaka people from the Gulf Country of North Queensland, Victor is the co-founder of Firesticks, which works with communities across Australia to lead Indigenous land management projects. He has published a best-selling book ‘Fire Country’, as well as a children’s book ‘Looking After Country with Fire’, and also published songs ‘Cool Burning’ and ‘Great Land’ through his music label Mulong.
We’re thrilled to have Victor as a featured speaker at our Annual Conference in September, to provide his perspective on our theme ‘Environmental Stewardship: Caring for Country and advancing sustainability in the Victorian water sector’. Victor’s presentation will be followed by a panel session ‘Traditional Owner Water Governance: Walking and Talking Together’ with speakers from the Birrarung Council and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, who will share what they are doing to walk together with Traditional Owners towards self-determination and restorative justice in the water sector.
The VicWater team have been working hard to make sure our Annual Conference program is relevant, engaging and topical. In line with the broad environmental theme, we’re including sessions on climate adaptation, advancements in PFAS removal, managing environmental duties and risks, corporate sustainability, and the economic impacts of increasing extreme weather events. And of course we always make sure to include plenty of networking opportunities in the breaks, at the welcome drinks and conference dinner. Registrations are now open – see item below.
JUNE 2024
As we approach the end of financial year, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the past 12 months at VicWater and how we’ve been working to support our members and the broader water and catchment management sector.
Here are a few of my personal highlights:
- Carbon offsets project – as regular readers of our monthly update will know, for more than two years we have been running this highly complex project to bring our members together in a collective approach to the carbon offsets market, to help meet their net zero targets. This month we take an important step forward by issuing an EOI to the market on behalf of 15 water corporations.
- Water Industry Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028 – led by VicWater’s Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, this second whole-of-industry strategy demonstrates the sector’s genuine and ongoing commitment to growing a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture, which is reflective of the communities in which we work and live.
- Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge – delivered through VicWater’s IWN program, Challenge Round One in 2023 provided catalytic funding for four projects that will explore innovative solutions to climate change challenges. We’re looking forward to running Challenge Round Two this year with an increased prize pool.
- Annual Conference 2023 and Director Development Forum 2024 – The VicWater team enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with our members in person at these two very successful events, which brought together board members and senior leaders from water corporations and CMAs for professional development and peer networking.
- Industry partnerships – we continue to build productive relationships with our fellow industry associations at state and national level – IWA, Vic Catchments, WIOA, WSAA, AWA, NSW and QLD Water Directorates – sharing knowledge, supporting each other’s initiatives, avoiding duplication and ensuring we deliver value for our shared and respective members.
Looking ahead, the next big thing on the horizon for VicWater is our Annual Conference in September. This year’s theme is ‘Environmental stewardship: Caring for Country and advancing sustainability in the Victorian water sector’ and we’re excited to have internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer and conservationist Professor Tim Flannery confirmed as our Day One keynote speaker. Registrations are now open – see item below for more information.
MAY 2024
It was great to see the Victorian water sector well represented at Ozwater 24 in Melbourne last week, among a record attendance of 1,800 delegates. With three days of multi-streamed conference sessions and a massive trade exhibition, there was truly something for everyone.
One of my key takeaways – and yes I know it will sound parochial! – is that the Victorian water sector is at the forefront of efforts to tackle the big challenges of our time. I was pleased to be a panel speaker at a session organised by Aurecon on the use of carbon credits in the water sector. Discussion in the room indicated that Victorian water corporations are comparatively well advanced on the pathway to net zero, in taking focused actions to reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions combined with a considered approach to the appropriate use of carbon offsets.
I also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in Ozwater’s Young Water Professionals program, in a session aimed at building communications and influencing skills around complex issues like climate change. Delegates worked in groups to brainstorm their approach and then deliver a 2 minute ‘elevator pitch’. The intelligence and enthusiasm of the young professionals in the room was inspiring, and I left the session feeling confident that the future of our industry is in good hands.
Another feel-good experience at Ozwater was the WaterAid breakfast and the chance to hear about their work to improve access to water and sanitation services in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. The breakfast was also the official launch of Walk for Water 2024, and while we probably won’t make the fundraising leaderboard (topped last year by Yarra Valley Water), I know the VicWater team are keen to fire up the Fitbit on 30 September and help support this worthwhile cause – check out the WaterAid website for more information.
APRIL 2024
L to R: Kristen McCaskill, Eileen Curtis, Teresa Ayles, Clare Gibson, Karen Lau, Anna Lamont, Minister Shing, Emma Youill, Lisa Anelli, Nardia Sheriff, Katie Zeller, Tara Daniel, Anna Murray, Philippa O’Sullivan
This month’s VicWater Update includes some great news items which really showcase the breadth of activity and achievement across the Victorian water sector. We are always looking for opportunities to promote the interesting and exciting things our members are doing – if you would like to share any newsworthy announcements or stories, please contact our Engagement Manager Lauren Vines – lauren.vines@vicwater.org.au.
MARCH 2024
Last month VicWater partnered with Vic Catchments and DEECA to deliver the 2024 Director Development Forum, a biennial event that brings together all water corporation and CMA non-executive directors following new board appointments in the previous year.
The two days featured keynote presentations and panel discussions on a range of topics including public sector governance, ‘Water 101’, cyber risk management, psychosocial workplace safety, transition to net zero, emergency management and Traditional Owner self-determination.
Directors heard from external and industry speakers who aimed to raise awareness and understanding of some of the important issues and challenges that water sector boards need to keep abreast of as part of their governance and leadership role.
For me, one of the program highlights was guest speaker Anders Sorman-Nilsson, a global futurist who talked about current and emerging technological trends, especially the increasingly pervasive use of artificial intelligence (AI) in all aspects of our lives. According to Anders, within the next 12 months approximately 90% of content on the Internet will be generated by AI.
I will put my hand up to using ChatGPT from time to time (not to write this column I swear!), but I do wonder about what this means for the future of human creativity and invention.
Another one of Anders’ observations resonated with me and many of the people I spoke to afterwards:
“The pace of change has never been faster – and will never be this slow again.”
Something for us to ponder, as we face into an increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) future.
But I certainly wouldn’t want to give the impression that it was all doom and gloom at the Director Development Forum! The event was a great opportunity for directors to make new connections and build their peer network, contributing to a sense of belonging and inclusiveness in the Victorian water sector.
It was also the result of the highly productive and collaborative partnership between VicWater and Vic Catchments for the benefit of our respective members, with valued support from DEECA.
