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 – VicWater team members 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.
