June 2026

Excursion to OzWater 2026

Last week all roads led to Brisbane and OzWater. Amongst the huge turnout for the conference, it was great to see a strong Victorian presence with many excellent presentations from our member water corporations. The conference provided a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new connections and discuss the work we are undertaking in Victoria. I also had the opportunity to meet with the New Zealand Water Services Authority to compare and contrast our different institutional frameworks and the role of VicWater in the sector.

Strengthening Adaptation Capability Across Victoria’s Water Corporations Program

At its meeting in May, the program working group finalised the RFQ to engage a consultant to develop a principles-based climate risk guidance document and a supporting resource suite. The RFQ is currently open and closes on Friday 5 June with the successful respondent expected to commence work before the end of June.

Workforce Readiness Project

During May, the working group met to hear a number of updates that were either related to, or are relevant for the project. These included:

• A presentation about the project to the water corporation Learning & Development Community of Practice.
• A presentation about the project at the WIOA Victorian state conference.
• Information on the Qld Water Directorate’s ‘Say What You Do’ campaign.
• An update from the Victorian Skills Authority regarding changes to the TAFE funded course list.

The working group then discussed next steps for the project and agreed it would continue to monitor and support the current GWW training pilot and that more work is needed on developing workforce planning capability in the sector. Noting this is something that BuildSkills Australia is also considering.

At OzWater, discussions were held with an RTO about the possibility of undertaking a trial of either the National Water Package Water Treatment or Wastewater Treatment specialist streams that were developed with the Victorian Skills Authority. The potential cohort for this trial is the Murray River cluster of water corporations.

Other Activities

Attended the following meetings/events:

• Met with the EPA to discuss the outputs from the Biochar and Permissioning working groups.
• Met with Schneider Electric Advisory Service to discuss the water sector, 2028 – 2023 electricity price forecast.
• BuildSkills Australia’s water advisory body meeting.
• BuildSkills Australia’s Water Sector Workforce Roundtable for industry peak bodies.
• VicWater Practitioners Network: IDAHOBIT event.
• Met with the Productivity Commission to discuss VicWater’s submission to the National Water Reform 2026 inquiry.
• Met with Barwon Water to discuss reviewing and updating the VicWater Construction Contracts.

May 2026

Guidelines for high usage and undetected leaks

VicWater is working with our members to review and update these guidelines (commonly known as the HULA guidance) to take account of technology changes that have been adopted by water corporations in recent years, notably the increasing use of digital meters. A working group of 12 urban water corporations and representatives from EWOV and the ESC has been established, with the review expected to be completed in August.

Strengthening adaptation capability across Victoria’s water corporations

Since its meeting in March the working group has agreed to progress recommendations from the Nation Partners report relating to standardised risk assessment methodology. Rather than develop a new risk assessment framework for water corporations to adopt, the group has decided to develop a principles-based climate risk guidance document and a supporting resource suite. This guidance should support water corporations to undertake climate risk assessments using their current risk assessment frameworks and processes. The working group is currently finalising an RFQ to engage a consultant to undertake this work.

EPA Water Sector Consultation Group

The Biochar and Permissioning working group leads have now written up the outputs from their respective groups’ workshops. These documents detail the working groups agreed problem statement, outcomes that will be achieved from addressing the problem, possible actions to address the problem and an action plan. These documents will now be discussed more broadly with EPA to ensure alignment with its programs and plans. The finalised documents will then be presented at the next Water Sector Consultation Group meeting in June for discussion on how to implement the action plans.

Other Activities

Prepared and lodged submissions to:

• DEECA’s Regulatory Impact Statement consultation on Updating Water Fixture Efficiency Standards.
• The Productivity Commission’s National Water Reform 2026 inquiry.

Attended the following meetings/events:

• One Basin CRC’s Senior Postdoctoral Impact Researcher and One Basin CRC April Partner Briefing.
• IWA Energy and Greenhouse SIG sub-group to discuss pricing of Australian Carbon Credit Units for PS28.
• Victorian Skills Authority to plan potential next steps for the Workforce Readiness Project.
• Infrastructure Victoria meeting to discuss its climate risk and adaptation report.
• ZEWCO Members update on the Tranche 1 Prospectus.

April 2026

Strengthening Adaptation Capability Across Victoria’s Water Corporations Program

In its March meeting, the working group received a presentation from DEECA’s Climate Science Team, outlining the products it produces and overview of its Climate Scenario Guidelines – Selection and Use of Downscaled Climate Projections in Decision Making. We also received updates on the adaptation actions that both WSAA and DEECA will be progressing this year.

These presentations, in conjunction with the recommended actions from the Nation Partners’ report, will provide input for the next working group meeting to determine what action(s) the group wants to progress this year.

EPA Water Sector Consultation Group

The two working groups (Biochar and Permissioning), which were formed under the EPA Water Sector Consultation Group (SCG), have now completed their series of 4 meetings.  These working groups were led by a water corporation representative and had membership from water corporations, EPA, DEECA and VicWater/IWN.

The leads from both working groups are now writing up their group’s “elevator pitch”, detailing their agreed problem statements, possible outcomes, possible actions and action plan. These pitches will be discussed with the EPA to ensure alignment with its programs and then presented at the next SCG meeting in June, for discussion on how to implement the action plans.

Other Activities

Attended the following meetings/events:

• National Environmental Science Program webinar – Enabling climate change adaptation: Insights from case studies in Australia
• Catch up with David Cameron, BuildSkills Australia’s new Industry Engagement Lead – Water
• Victorian Skills Authority’s Public Safety and Government Industry Advisory Group Meeting
• EPA Water SCG – Permissions and Biochar Working Group meetings
• EcologiQ presentation providing an update on the Recycled First policy
• Presented on the Workforce Readiness Project at the WIOA Conference

March 2026

Carbon Offsets Project

On 22 January 2026, ASIC approved the establishment of Zero Emissions Water Carbon Offsets (ZEWCO) Limited. With this milestone now achieved, the participating water corporations were able to sign their members agreement and management of ZEWCO formally transitioned to the Board.

Now, with over four years of managing this project for the Victorian water sector, VicWater is stepping back and leaving it in the very capable hands of the ZEWCO Board and Member Reference Group. It’s been quite a journey that we and the sector have been on with this project, and the fantastic outcome we have achieved is a testament to all of those involved.

Strengthening Adaptation Capability Across Victoria’s Water Corporations Program

The working group meeting in February received a presentation from Alluvium about a research proposal designed to identify the factors that make a “good” adaptation project. There was also an update from DEECA on the current process to review and update the Water Cycle Adaptation Action Plan.

Following this, the working group considered which of the recommended actions detailed in the recently completed Nation Partners’ Report, it wanted to progress over the coming year. After some discussion, the group identified that many organisations are currently undertaking projects in this space, and it does not want to duplicate or contradict the outcomes of those projects. There was agreement that the group would develop a snapshot of all current projects to assist decision making on the work it wants to undertake this year.

Workforce Readiness project

A presentation on the project was given to the Water Sector Learning & Development Community of Practice (CoP). The presentation included a project overview, details of the skills taxonomy and the working group’s proposed approach to the delivery of the National Water Package Certificate III Water Industry Operations. The CoP was asked if they would be able to provide an endorsement of this approach (or what the process was to achieve that) as well as an indication of their demand for the delivery of the Certificate over the next three years.

EPA Water Sector Consultation Group

The EPA Water Sector Consultation Group (SCG) held its 13^th meeting during February. The meeting included presentations from:

• EPA – looking at trends in self-reporting of pollution incidents.
• The Permissions and Biochar working groups – outlining the problem statements the groups have agreed on and outlining the next steps to come up with possible solutions to these problems.

There was also an update on the approval process for the SCG’s Terms of Reference and EPA’s planned public engagement over the next 3 months.

Other Activities

Attended the following meetings/events:

• Water Sector Asset Finance Managers working group – to discuss the current asset revaluation process and how it is progressing.
• Met with WSAA, WorkSafe Victoria and the Senior Adviser to the Minister for WorkSafe – to brief them on the water sector’s concerns regarding Safe Work Australia’s proposed new Workplace Exposure Limits for Chlorine and Hydrogen Sulphide.
• EPA Water SCG – Permissions working group meeting.
• DEECA’s Circular Economy and Decarbonisation working group meeting.
• BuildSkills Australia breakfast meeting, including a presentation of BuildSkills achievements in the last year.

February 2026

I hope that everyone had a restful and enjoyable festive season. It has been a quiet start to the year so far, but indications are that the rest of 2026 will be anything but quiet.

Carbon Offsets Project

Exciting news, on 23 December we received the Minister for Water’s approval under Section 127 of the Water Act 1989 to establish a company to collectively acquire ACCUs and other high integrity carbon offsets. It is now known as Zero Emissions Water Carbon Offsets or ZEWCO. This is a huge improvement over calling it the SPV. The company has now been registered by ASIC and the first official Board meeting is scheduled for 5 February.

During December, Aurecon held two workshops with the Members’ Reference Group to begin preparations for the first tranche of carbon offsets procurement within the next few months.

Strengthening Adaptation Capability Across Victoria’s Water Corporations Program

On 3 December Nation Partners hosted an all water-sector workshop to present the findings of its assessment of the sector’s climate adaptation capability. This workshop prompted a lot of discussion which confirmed the draft report’s findings as well as the barriers and opportunities that the sector faces.

Nation Partners’ final report was delivered in late December. It provides a detailed assessment of the water sectors’ maturity in relation to governance, strategy, climate risk methodologies and frameworks, risk management approaches, financial assessment and opportunities. Each water corporation was provided with its own individual maturity assessment.

The working group will meet in February to consider which of the recommended actions detailed in the report should be progressed over the coming year. DEECA will also consider which actions to include in the Water Cycle Climate Change Adaptation Plan which it is currently updating.

Other Activities

Attended the following meetings/events:

• One Basin CRC Webinar – Public First Nations Data: is it Data Nullius?
• DTF discussion on potential exemptions for non-State Purchasing Contract companies to provide banking services to water corporations
• One Basin CRC Partner Briefing Update: December 2025
• DEECA Circular Economy and Energy working group meeting
• Maddocks Webinar – Flood & Stormwater Risk Management & Mitigation
• Customer Service SIG’s Back Billing Working Group meeting
• WSAA meeting to discuss Safe Work Australia’s proposed new Workplace Exposure Limits for Chlorine and Hydrogen Sulphide

December 2025

Carbon Offsets Project

The SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) Board held its first, unofficial meeting on 14 November. The topics for discussion included:

• An overview of the Offsets Program to date, including the ministerial approval process
• The SPV Members’ Agreement and Constitution
• The actions required to establish the SPV as a company

Other activities that have occurred in the last month include the appointment of Aurecon to develop the Tranche 1 business case and the Program Framework, and the provision of feedback on the Members’ Agreement and Constitution to Allens so that those documents can be finalised.

Strengthening Adaptation Capability Across Victoria’s Water Corporations Program

Nation Partners completed the individual interviews of all water corporations by the end of October. The draft report outlining details of the interviews findings and the barriers and opportunities to strengthen the water sector’s adaptation capabilities is currently being reviewed by the working group.

An all water-sector workshop to present the draft report’s findings and work through the report’s recommendations is scheduled for 3 December.

EPA’s Water Sector Consultation Group

The new Terms of Reference for the group have been finalised and is now with the CEO of EPA for approval.

The group met on 27 November where EPA’s Permissions team presented on work being undertaken on improvements to the permission granting process, permit renewal amendments and interactions, A14 permits and licenced premises. The membership of the biochar and permissions working group and how those groups will operate was also discussed.

Other Activities

Attended the following meetings/events:

• DEECA briefing on its Draft Water Sector Emissions Transition Plan (a submission providing feedback on the plan was lodged in November).
• SEC Flexible Demand Best Practice Guide briefing.
• Agriculture Victoria’s workshop on its new General Biosecurity Duty.
• IWA Conference, Dinner and Energy and Greenhouse SIG Meeting.
• Catch up meeting with WIOA.
• Infrastructure Victoria’s Sector briefing on Victoria’s infrastructure strategy 2025–2055.
• Victorian Skills Authority’s Public Safety and Government Industry Advisory Group Meeting.

November 2025

Carbon Offsets Project

Proud Mary Consulting has commenced in its role as the program manager for the offsets project. The tasks it has been working on include finalising the members’ agreement and constitution, leading the assessment of proposals that were received from carbon consultants in response to the RfP and preparing for the establishment of special purpose vehicle.

Strengthening Adaptation Capability Across Victoria’s Water Corporations Program

Nation Partners has been undertaking individual interviews with all water corporations to gain an understanding of how to integrate climate adaptation and resilience into their risk frameworks, planning and implementation. The interviews will be finished by the end of October.

The interview results will be incorporated with a document review to provide an assessment of the sector’s maturity level in relation to climate adaptation capability.

EPA’s Water Sector Consultation Group

Leaders of the biochar and permissions working groups have now been appointed. John Day from North East Water has volunteered to facilitate the meetings of the working groups.

A meeting between the working group leads has been held to determine how the groups will operate and when they will meet. Both groups will commence meeting in the new year.

The consultation group meeting is scheduled for 27 November.

Other Activities

Attended the following meetings/events:

• VicWater’s Walk for Water along the Yarra in Melbourne
• IWN’s Circular Economy Tour in the Barwon region
• IBAC’s Public Interest Disclosures webinar: Victoria’s whistleblower scheme
• AWA’s Victorian Gala Dinner and Awards presentation
• Met with ESC, Lower Murray Water and Yarra Valley Water to discuss the introduction of a Best Endeavours process for when access to water meters is not available
• The metro water corporation Accord’s Roundtable on Water Recycling and Reuse: International perspectives and opportunities for partnerships
• ESC’s forum on Compliance and Enforcement Priorities
• Met with BuildSkills Australia to discuss the Workforce Readiness Project
• ESC’s consultation session on its new Customer Contributions Draft Framework
• Finance Asset Discussion Group meeting

October 2025

Carbon Offsets Project

September has been a busy month for the Carbon Offsets project with three major achievements having been made. These include:

• Michael Wheelahan, Principal at Proud Mary Consulting has been engaged as the Program Manager and will take over the day to day running of the project from early October. As part of this engagement, a water corporation staff member will be assisting with project implementation, which will assist in boosting emissions reduction/offsetting knowledge and experience in the water sector.
• The process to select the initial Directors on the SPV Board has been completed. The successful Directors have been notified, and it is expected that the Board will have its first meeting before the end of October.
• An RfP was released to appoint a specialist carbon consultant to assist with the development of the first tranche procurement of Australian Carbon Credit Units. The RfP closed on 3 October and the successful consultant will be engaged by the end of October.

Next steps for the project include; seeking approval of the Minister for Water for the participating water corporations to form the SPV and finalising the Members’ Agreement and Constitution.

Strengthening Adaptation Capability Across Victoria’s Water Corporations Program

Nation Partners has been engaged to assist the working group in undertaking a sector-wide scan of water corporations’ climate adaptation maturity and risk approaches. During September the working group and Nation Partners have been developing a questionnaire for the initial data gathering phase for the maturity framework.

Nation Partners will be undertaking interviews with water corporation staff during October.

EPA’s Water Sector Consultation Group

The new Terms of Reference for the Water Sector Consultation Group are in the process of being endorsed by the EPA after incorporating feedback from group members.

Membership of the new Biochar and Permissions working groups has been finalised. Once leaders/chairs for these groups have been appointed, they will commence identifying the specific issue they want to focus on, agreeing on the opportunities presented by solving the issue and develop recommendations to address the issue.

Other Activities

Attended the following meetings/events:

• Prepared a response to EPA’s Draft Waste Guidance
• The VicWater Annual Conference
• Discussed Demand Response Best Practices Guide with SEC
• WSAA update on Safe Work Australia’s proposed new Workplace Exposure Limits
• EPA’s Risk Management Monitoring Program Information Session

September 2025

EPA’s Water Sector Consultation Group

Throughout July and August, I have been working with the EPA to reshape the format of the Water Sector Consultation Group and develop a new Terms of Reference. The new format is similar to that of the previous Water Industry Reference Group and allows for the formation of working groups to investigate issues that would benefit from a collaborative approach. In July all water corporations were requested to nominate their top five issues for further investigation by the working groups. These issues were then consolidated into a short list based on how many corporations nominated them.

The first of these new format meetings was held on 20 August in the VicWater office with members attending in person and online. North East Water and IWN gave a presentation on the status of the biochar trials currently occurring in the sector. This was followed by a session to prioritise the issues that were included on the short list. The group then agreed that working groups would be established for two priority issues, Biochar and Permissions. Nominations are currently open for these working groups.

Carbon Offsets Project

Allens lawyers have provided the draft Members’ Agreement and Constitution for review. The Oversight Committee is currently considering these documents with a view to finalising them within the next month.

The Program Manager position has recently been advertised with the closing date for Expressions of Interest being 29 September. All applications will be reviewed shortly with an appointment hopefully being made by mid-September.

A call for Expressions of Interest has also been issued for the initial Directors on the SPV Board. Accompanying the call for EOIs was the SPV Director Appointment Guide with information about the role and operations of the SPV Board and the process for selecting the initial Directors. These documents were prepared by the Oversight Committee.

Strengthening Adaptation Capability Across Victoria’s Water Corporations Program

The request for quotation (RFQ), for a consultant to assist with the delivery of the program closed on 15 August and six submissions were received. These submissions have been reviewed by an assessment panel, and a preferred consultant been selected. Once this decision has been endorsed, the program working group work will begin on undertaking a sector-wide scan of the water corporations’ climate adaptation maturity and risk approaches.

Other Activities

Attended the following meetings/events:

• Department of Education/NOUS Focus Group – Meeting 2 on DoE Work-Based Learning project
• SIG Back Billing Working Group
• EPA Webinar Definition of Waste Guidance