Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update May 2023
This month is a busy one for the VicWater team with two major events in the calendar.
On 22 May is the Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) Annual Members Conference, a free event for all staff of IWN member organisations. IWN is all about helping water corporations in Victoria and Tasmania trial and adopt transformative new technologies. This year’s conference theme is ‘The Power of Positive Disruption’ and the program features some great speakers and interactive sessions which will no doubt offer interesting and potentially challenging perspectives on how the industry can drive innovation and build capacity for change.
On 25 May is The People Summit with a focus on safety, culture and leadership. People are the water sector’s most important asset and without them the Victorian water sector would be unable to deliver world class services to enhance the liveability of our communities. This event is aimed at board directors and executives and the program includes keynote speaker Julia Banks and sessions on safety and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, employee value propositions and leaders of the future. We are very pleased to have the support of our event sponsors Pitcher Partners, Vision Super, Davidson, Salesforce and TCV.
Registrations for both these events are still open (see below) and we hope that you are able to take advantage of these opportunities to connect, share and learn from industry peers and other experts.
Phase Three of the Carbon Offsets project is now completed and the report has been delivered to Managing Directors. The report’s recommendations include a proposed delivery vehicle to meet the Victorian water sector’s collective demand for carbon offsets, and next steps for approaching the carbon offsets market on behalf of the sector in a ‘proof of concept’ phase.
Many thanks to members of the steering group and technical reference group who have generously contributed their time and expertise to the project, especially those who have been involved since the project commenced in early 2022.
Panel Session - Managing psychosocial impacts in the workplace
As we transition from traditional to new ways of working and with crises becoming business as usual, how do workplaces continue to protect and proactively manage the psychosocial safety of staff.
We will talk to industry experts and external specialists as our panellists share their insights into the issues impacting our staff from a range of perspectives and how we might address them. Make sure you don't miss this!
Facilitator:
- Sarah Patrick, Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Pitcher Partners
Panelists:
- Frances Anderson, Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor Workplace Relations & Occupational Safety, Victorian Government Solicitor's Office
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.
Australian Water Industry Operator Exchange Program
The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) in partnership with the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), are collaborating with a new initiative being the first Australian Water Industry Operator Exchange Program. Both WIOA and WSAA recognise the need to proactively address a critical problem facing the urban water sector nationally, notably a growing shortage of quality training options to support critical water occupations such as our operators.
Yarra Valley Water joins new alliance to help protect Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot)
Yarra Valley Water has officially joined the Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) Regional Collaboration, a new alliance of 16 diverse organisations and groups committed to improving the catchment for future generations.
Southern Rural Water is starting construction on the next stages of the $42 million Werribee Irrigation District modernisation project.
Jaydo Construction will undertake the $22 million stages 4 and 5, which will see a further replacement of 16.2 kilometres of channels to pipeline and the installation of 69 new automated customer outlets and flow metres, along with the upgrade to channel regulators at Werribee Weir and Conquest Drive.
Greater Western Water joins global utilities in effort to revolutionise water sector
Greater Western Water (GWW), a member of the Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN), is excited to be part of a new technical working group aimed at revolutionising the water sector. The Future Utility Group (FUG), which includes nine global utilities, will develop a digital ecosystem to support interoperable applications and consistent asset data structures for water utilities worldwide. The group hopes to simplify digital solution adoption and procurement for water utilities and foster innovation and efficiency in the water sector.
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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