Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update March 2024
Last month VicWater partnered with Vic Catchments and DEECA to deliver the 2024 Director Development Forum, a biennial event that brings together all water corporation and CMA non-executive directors following new board appointments in the previous year.
The two days featured keynote presentations and panel discussions on a range of topics including public sector governance, ‘Water 101’, cyber risk management, psychosocial workplace safety, transition to net zero, emergency management and Traditional Owner self-determination. Directors heard from external and industry speakers who aimed to raise awareness and understanding of some of the important issues and challenges that water sector boards need to keep abreast of as part of their governance and leadership role.
For me, one of the program highlights was guest speaker Anders Sorman-Nilsson, a global futurist who talked about current and emerging technological trends, especially the increasingly pervasive use of artificial intelligence (AI) in all aspects of our lives. According to Anders, within the next 12 months approximately 90% of content on the Internet will be generated by AI. I will put my hand up to using ChatGPT from time to time (not to write this column I swear!), but I do wonder about what this means for the future of human creativity and invention.
Another one of Anders’ observations resonated with me and many of the people I spoke to afterwards: “The pace of change has never been faster – and will never be this slow again.” Something for us to ponder, as we face into an increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) future.
But I certainly wouldn’t want to give the impression that it was all doom and gloom at the Director Development Forum! The event was a great opportunity for directors to make new connections and build their peer network, contributing to a sense of belonging and inclusiveness in the Victorian water sector. It was also the result of the highly productive and collaborative partnership between VicWater and Vic Catchments for the benefit of our respective members, with valued support from DEECA.
At the February VicWater MDs Forum the MDS acknowledged the risks posed by the current training gaps identified by the VicWater working group and endorsed the working group to continue investigating the creation of a Victorian Water Industry Training Academy.
Over the next four months the working group will be finalising what the function of the Academy will be and then designing the best operating model for the Academy.
8 March marks International Women's Day, which is an annual event to raise awareness and celebrate progress of the women’s rights movement. As a sector, we are fortunate to have unified commitment to gender equity, and there are a number of different programs that exist to support women to succeed.
In 2019 VicWater released the first water industry Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy 2019-2023, which has had an annual performance report produced each year.
If you haven't already done so, make sure you save the date for the VicWater Annual Conference, which will take place from 10 - 12 September 2024 at the Langham Melbourne. We will be launching the conference and opening registrations later this month.
With extreme weather events increasing in frequency and intensity, we need to be more prepared than ever before to handle emergencies.
From storms and floods to heatwaves, bush fires and drought, we are coming up against an increasing state of VUCA - (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity), and unfortunately the next extreme weather event is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’.
VicWater was proud to sponsor the Operator of the Year award at the WIOA Victorian conference in Bendigo on 28-29 February.
The judging panel of Jo Lim (CEO, VicWater), Damian Wells (MD, Coliban Water) and Jeff Haydon (MD, Central Highlands Water) was impressed at the number of nominations received, and the high calibre of the field. The nominees had a wide range of skills, qualifications and experience and they all shared a strong commitment to service excellence and a passion for working in the water industry.
Congratulations to the 2024 award winners:
Operator of the Year: Dylan Hetherington, North East Water
Highly Commended: Brock Mulroyan, Barwon Water
Highly Commended: Wes Wilkie, Goulburn Valley Water
Vision Super - Sponsored content
Smart budgeting tips: Building a strong financial foundation for your superannuation
Cultivating sound financial habits early on is crucial for building a great foundation of savings, particularly with the cost of living increasing. Laying the groundwork now can have great benefits long term, including building your superannuation balance which can help you achieve a comfortable retirement and secure financial future.
But how do you get there? Here are some practical tips to help you effectively budget and save.
Caption: (‘WTOAC_Water Release Community Day_10Feb2024’): Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Community Day. Pictured: Claire Mennen, Wadawurrung woman and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Water Project Officer and Jayden Wooley, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Water Project Officer at the Community Day on 10 February 2024.
Water release back to Wadawurrung Country
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) has received a temporary transfer of water, enabling WTOAC to trial delivery of water to the Moorabool Yaluk (river) and the Durdidwarrah wetland, through the support of Barwon Water, Central Highlands Water, and the Victorian Government.
Gippsland Water is encouraging customers to take a responsible approach to water use through its new ‘Reduce your use’ campaign.
Managing director Sarah Cumming said although local water storages are in good condition at the end of summer, water is still a finite resource and should be used wisely.
“Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility and as the population grows, so does the demand for water – every drop counts,” Ms Cumming said.
South East Water’s annual Community Grants program is now open, with grants of up to $10,000 available to help local groups make community projects possible.
Now in its fifth year, the program has granted over $320,000 to 66 community groups across Melbourne’s south-east, helping to make local communities better places to live.
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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