Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update April 2023
Last month I was delighted to attend dinner with the first cohort of participants in the VicWater Director Masterclass Program. Delivered by our partners Monash Sustainable Development Institute, the program provides non-executive directors of water corporations and CMAs with knowledge and tools to strengthen their strategic leadership and governance skills.
Dinner featured a panel discussion with well-known water industry guest speakers Professor Rob Skinner, Sue O’Connor and Dr Jane Doolan, who shared insights gained from their extensive and varied experience as board directors within and outside the water sector. Participants were encouraged to look for, and take, opportunities to deliver strategic value for their customers, community and stakeholders and contribute to positive change in the water and catchment management sector.
Feedback from Masterclass 1 participants tells us that much of the value of the program comes from bringing together water corporation directors with CMA directors to connect and learn from each other. Although the two perform different roles within the sector, there are many commonalities and opportunities for closer collaboration. This is very much in accordance with the MOU between VicWater and Vic Catchments, which commits the two organisations to work together for the mutual benefit of our respective members and continuous improvement in the Victorian water sector. We were pleased to welcome Vic Catchments Chair Peter Hilbig and Executive Officer Tony Baker to our most recent VicWater Board meeting to discuss our shared interests, particularly around advocacy and promotion, and we look forward to building on our productive relationship to deliver benefits for the sector.
Whether you’re travelling or staying at home, I hope you all have a safe and happy Easter break.
Practical guidance documents to support the implementation of EPA revised guideline for water recycling
Our consultant, Water Futures, has been undertaking site visits to view a number of Class B and Class C recycled water schemes to inform the case studies for the guidance documents. They will also be shadowing recycled water scheme auditors to get a better understanding of how the guidance documents are used in the field. The project is expected to be completed by the end of June 2023.
Carbon Offsets project
Phase Three of the Carbon Offsets is underway with its objective being to recommend the best delivery vehicle option for meeting the Victorian Water sector’s collective demand for the Scope One carbon offsets. This collective approach is an option for water corporations to consider in addition to meeting some of their demand needs individually.
Retirement is a significant life event that many of us look forward to with great anticipation. It's a time to relax, enjoy the fruits of your labour, and spend time with family and friends. However, unexpected early retirement can throw a spanner in your retirement plans and leave you feeling unprepared. Whether you're forced into early retirement due to a layoff, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances, it's important to prepare for the unexpected so you can still enjoy a comfortable retirement. Here are some tips to help you get started...
With increasing uncertainty and rapid change occurring globally, what will the future leaders of the water sector look like? What qualities will they need to have and how will they be different to the leaders of the past.
Tony Matthews, Principal at InSync will facilitate an expert group of panellists including:
Sarah Cumming, Managing Director, Greater Western Water
Maree Lang, Managing Director, Greater Western Water
Digital solutions for capital investment in the water industry
The webinar will cover the latest trends and best practices in capital project management, as well as how technology can aid in capital deployment. Additionally, a new digital solution will be introduced, that provides real-time visibility of capital projects and helps boost overall capital productivity.
“It was the best board leadership activity/program I have ever attended. In part, it was the structure and the leaders of the program. Its great strength was the participation of interesting, insightful and wise people from the Catchment Management Authorities and Water Corporations.”
Victor Perton, Founder and Chief Optimism Officer of The Centre for Optimism
After the success of our first Director Masterclass in March, the highly anticipated second Director Masterclass is scheduled for May 2023.
This Masterclass will be in-person in the Melbourne CBD and run over an afternoon followed by dinner and a morning on the next day. This structure allows for deeper engagement and accommodates participants travelling from outside Melbourne. The dinner will include a panel discussion with invited speakers.
Masterclass 2: New ways of thinking: addressing long-term challenges
18 May 2023 12:30 – 21:00 & 19 May 2023 9:00 – 13:30
Get ready for IWN’s annual Members Conference at Deakin Downtown, Docklands Melbourne. We've lined up an exciting program of high-profile speakers, including Deakin University, Future Crunch, Victor Perton, panel discussions and much more. This year we focus on embracing the Power of Positive Disruption in our industry.
Our very own Tara Daniel, Chief Operating Officer at VicWater was extremely pleased to announce Scott Johnson from Greater Western Water as the winner of the VicWater sponsored WIOAVictorian Operator of the Year award at the WIOA Conference in Bendigo last month.
A First Nations perspective for Central Highlands Water Board
Ballarat local, and proud Adnyamathanha Yuru, Shu Brown, will bring deeper First Nations peoples’ insights to the Central Highlands Water (CHW) Board of Directors, following his appointment as Independent Aboriginal Delegate.
Board Chair, Angeleen Jenkins said she was delighted to welcome Mr Brown to CHW’s Board, recognising the significance of ensuring a First Nations’ perspective and contribution to the governance, utilisation and management of water resources.
Do you have a water sector event you'd like to promote? Maybe an announcement you'd like us to share on behalf of your organisation? VicWater Update has opened the news and events section of the monthly update to promote visibility of things that are happening within the water sector.
If you'd like something included email Lauren Vines with your request for consideration in our next edition.
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