Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update March 2023
This month we celebrate International Women’s Day, and it’s a good time to reflect on how we are progressing towards gender diversity and equity in the Victorian water sector.
Each year in March, VicWater publishes an annual performance report against the Water Industry Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which shows how the industry is meeting its diversity targets including 50:50 gender balance in senior leadership positions. This year’s report (based on data at 30 June 2022) will show that we are making strong progress with female Managing Directors at 44% and female General Managers at 44.2% - significant increases from previous years. However, at the next management level down, the percentage of females has remained fairly steady at 38%.
Of course, gender equity is not just about the numbers, it’s about culture, attitudes and behaviours that support full and equal participation in the workplace regardless of gender. Last month we hosted a joint event between VicWater’s Women in Water Directors Network and DEECA’s Insights Program, which brought together board directors and executives to discuss how we can lead and support gender equity, and create change to enable a thriving workforce. Key themes emerging from the discussion included a focus on providing a culturally safe environment for people to speak up and take risks, and thinking differently about leadership and the roles leaders play within their organisation and the sector as a whole. VicWater will continue to support these important conversations and look for opportunities to help our members to translate them into action.
I’ll end this note with a warm welcome to the two newest recruits to the VicWater team. Jason Cotton has recently been appointed as Program Director for Intelligent Water Networks (IWN). Jason has had a long involvement with IWN through his previous role at Greater Western Water, and I know he will bring great energy and passion to ensuring this very successful program continues to deliver “tomorrow’s water innovations today”.
I’m also delighted that Tara Daniel is taking up the Chief Operating Officer role on a permanent basis, having been with us on secondment from Goulburn Valley Water for the past 12 months. Tara has become an integral part of the VicWater team and will continue to help shape and drive our work with members across a range of groups and activities.
Practical guidance documents to support the implementation of EPA revised guideline for water recycling
Water Futures has prepared a new milestone schedule for the completion of the guidance documents. Over the next few months they will be undertaking site visits to inform the case studies for the guidance documents and working with EPA to ensure that it is happy with draft guidance documents. Following this the draft guidance documents will be provided to VicWater members for comment. The project is expected to be completed by the end of June 2023.
Have you ever pictured yourself enjoying a life of leisure in retirement, travelling to new places, spending quality time with your loved ones, or simply relaxing?
While retirement may seem far off for those just starting their careers, it's never too early to start planning. One of the essential components to achieving a comfortable retirement is through your superannuation. In this article, we'll cover the basics of superannuation and how it can help you create the future you envision.
VicWater is pleased to announce our keynote speaker -Julia Banks. Julia is an author, columnist and keynote speaker, who runs her own consultancy business and holds non executive advisory roles. Julia is a former Federal MP, and an experienced General Counsel, Chair, Board and Executive Director.
An established thought leader on leadership - Julia's advocacy and commentary focusses on safe and respectful cultures in workplaces, schools, sports and organisations across sectors. Julia's non-executive advisory positions include Special Advisor for Gender Equity Victoria.
DEECA have opened expressions of interest for board appointments to Victorian Water Corporations, Catchment Management Authorities and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) for appointments commencing 1 October 2023.
For further details and to apply click the button below.
Please join IWA for the next Plenary Session and Special Interest Group Meetings, which will be running online. Commencing with the Plenary Session at 9am followed by the SIG meetings, commencing at 10am and streaming concurrently throughout the day.
Southern Rural Water (SRW) is responsible for water licencing and regulation in southern Victoria. They work with farmers, businesses, individuals, and the community to help them with water licences, understanding the conditions of their licence, and complying with the regulations.
The third stage of an $80 million upgrade to Melbourne’s CBD sewerage network kicks off this month with a new 700-metre-long sewer under Elizabeth Street.
Greater Western Water’s General Manager Growth and Infrastructure, Amanda Smith, said the Elizabeth Street upgrade was stage three of four in a program to expand Melbourne CBD’s sewer system capacity to meet demand.
“With the existing sewer network over 120 years old, we’re delivering more capacity to future proof the system and support the city’s expected growth,” she said.
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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