Operational staff from Lower Murray Water, North East Water, Coliban Water, Goulburn Valley Water and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water came together in Mildura in August for the 2026 Murray Cluster Operational Expo
In mid-August, representatives from five Victorian water corporations came together in Mildura for the 2026 Murray Cluster Operational Expo, hosted by Lower Murray Water (LMW).
The two-day event, organised through the Murray Mutual Aid Group, brought together operational staff from North East Water, Coliban Water, Goulburn Valley Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and LMW to exchange knowledge, share experiences and strengthen relationships across the sector.
“The Murray Mutual Aid Group was officially established in 2024 to formalise a long-standing arrangement between five water corporations servicing communities that rely on water from the Murray-Darling Basin,” LMW Acting Managing Director Darren Raeck said.
“From Corryong to Mildura, our regions face many of the same challenges, including drought, floods, bushfires and widespread blue-green algae events.
“We come together twice a year to strengthen our collective preparedness, share knowledge and plan how we can support each other when emergencies arise.”
The expo opened at LMW’s Mildura head office, where former Managing Director Paul Northey welcomed participants and provided an overview of LMW’s operations, the region’s Traditional Owner landscape and the significance of the Murray River to Sunraysia’s nationally important horticultural industry.
Presentations by LMW staff then covered workplace safety, health and wellbeing, along with the interconnected operations of the Mildura and Koorlong wastewater treatment plants and future planning in response to regional growth.
A key component of the expo was the opportunity for operators to connect with their counterparts through dedicated breakout sessions.
Covering safety, mechanical and electrical operations, civil works and treatment operations and management, the sessions encouraged open discussion about common industry challenges and operational practices.
“One of the most valuable aspects of these events is the opportunity for our operators to learn directly from one another,” Darren said.
“While we might work across different regions and systems, many of the challenges we face are similar. Sharing practical experiences and approaches helps us identify opportunities to improve the way we work.”
Participants also explored equipment and resources on display at LMW’s head office before undertaking guided visits to key infrastructure, including the Mildura Water Treatment Plant, Mildura Wastewater Treatment Plant and Mildura Central Pump Station.
The visits provided firsthand insight into water treatment plant upgrades, wastewater treatment processes and major irrigation pumping infrastructure.
The second day included further site visits to Mildura Lock and the Koorlong Wastewater Treatment Plant, where participants learned about the facility’s sequencing batch reactor operations and aeration system works.
Beyond the technical presentations and site visits, Darren said the expo reinforced the importance of building strong working relationships across the sector.
“Events like this are about more than sharing technical knowledge; they’re about building relationships and understanding the capabilities and resources available across our organisations,” Darren said.
“When an emergency occurs, those connections can make a significant difference to how effectively we respond, support each other and serve our communities.”
