Can you believe that February is almost over? I hope your year has started well.
Author and innovation consultant Gary Hamel once said that high value can be created through innovating an organisations business model.
The submission by GWMWater to the Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge proposes to create a multi-utility business model through the establishment of a Community Power Plant in Donald Victoria. I had the opportunity to visit the proposed site in Donald this month which is a parcel of land that had traditionally been used for water storage. As I watched the sheep graze on the proposed site, I was reminded of the value that business model innovation creates, and that a Community Power Plant situated next to the Industrial Estate will enable business, community, social and environmental value well beyond grazing sheep. We are looking forward to working with Mark, Will and Graeme as the project develops.
I also had the opportunity to have a conversation with the GWMWater Executive Team, present them with their WMCIC trophy and visit the Operations Control Centre in Horsham to see how GWMWater are embedded digitisation into the core of their Operations. We look forward to learning more about GWMWater’s digitisation work at the IWN Conference on 29 July.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water visit L-R Will Taylor, Jason Cotton, Mark Williams
Whilst driving around the Wimmera, I saw a few large fields where crop stubble was being burned off. I couldn’t help thinking about the emissions that practice creates and the potential circular economy opportunity that resource may present. This week, IWN was invited to contribute to a Policy in Bioenergy panel session at the Bioenergy Network Conference.
We discussed the use of Biodiesel created from feedstocks such as crop stubble, which would increase the value of the stubble, benefitting farmers, and reduce emissions through use of renewable bioenergy and a change of farming practice. Stay tuned for the opportunity to trial biodiesel in heavy fleet vehicles in our member organisations in the near future.
We said farewell this month to our two science interns from Monash University who were working with us over the summer vacation on member projects.
Harry was working with Barwon Water on the treatment of a specific species of Blue Green Algae. Harry’s research discovered that this particular species was highly susceptible to hydrogen peroxide which not only killed the BGA but also denatured the toxins held within the BGA cells. Barwon Water are using the research to establish a longer term project to fully investigate the potential of the approach.
Max was working on evaluating a new calcium-based coagulant from Korea for tertiary treatment and phosphorus removal. Max found that while the coagulant was extremely effective, the dose rates and cost was very prohibitive.
Both Max and Harry gained some valuable “real world” experience and were able to apply what they had learned in their courses to practical industry application. We wish them both well for their futures.
Take care and if you are heading to Bendigo next week for the WIOA Conference, I’ll see you there.
Cheers
JC
IWN members conference 2024
Monday 29 July, Storey Hall, RMIT University Melbourne
Following on from the success of last year’s conference on Positive Disruption, this year’s conference theme will be:
Collaborative transformation
Transformation of the Victorian water industry requires a unified approach. Success will come from diverse stakeholders actively collaborating and working together cohesively to drive significant positive disruption across the sector for the communities we serve.
Keep an eye out for more details to come.
If you are interested in sponsoring our conference. Contact us at enquiries@iwn.org.au for a copy of our sponsorship prospectus.
New IWN program structure-hub & spoke model
IWN Program Roadmaps
This month we unveiled our new program structure and program roadmap templates.
By transitioning to a hub and spoke model, the IWN Office (what we now call IWN Central) will focus on creating and maintaining the enabling structure and tools that support the success of programs and continue to develop and grow the strategic relationships necessary for IWN to fulfill its purpose.
The new templates were trialled with our Circular Economy Program Manager Michael Thomas, and Deputy Program Manager Kerryn Lester-Smith; putting the new structure through its paces. We thank them for the invaluable feedback we received. We are now scheduling sessions with all programs to implement Roadmaps by end June.
Our innovative roadmaps, will streamline processes and provide the opportunity for our members to have greater impact on the direction and activities of our Programs.
We have curated a range of tools and templates to support our program leaders for delivering the best outcome.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to drive positive change together!
Click on the image below to see the template...
Jacinta
IWN's outgoing Goulburn Valley Water Champion and Digital Metering Program Manager
Jacinta has brought a wealth of insight and joy to the IWN family, including getting us involved with her eclectic mix of hobbies; particularly board games at conferences and workshops. Jacinta’s role as the IWN Program Manager of the Digital Metering Program has been a game changer. Developing and implementing the last three years of the National Digital Metering State of Play report and more….
At IWN, we are looking for passionate people who are genuine about identifying solutions to drive innovation across our industry. You don’t need to be a subject matter expert, simply bring your enthusiasm to our fabulous program. These volunteer roles involve about four hours/month. If you'd like to see a position description or have a confidential discussion with us, please get in touch via our enquiries email. We are looking for our next...
We are looking for Program Managers and Deputy Program Managers to head up these two new programs and develop the roadmap for their success.
Safety innovation
Program Manager and
Deputy Program Manger
Contaminants of concern
Program Manager and
Deputy Program Manger
Webinar Series
22 February 12.00 - 1.00 pm
online with MS Teams
Liquid Integrity Solutions (LIS) Water Storage Monitoring Trial outcome
At his month’s webinar, Teal Watkins and Simon Mann from Liquid Integrity Solutions (LIS) shared the excellent results from our recent trials on their water storage leak detection technology. Email us at enquiries@iwn.org.au for more information about the recording.
Webinar Series
March 21 12.00 - 1.00 pm
online with MS Teams
Functionalised Biochar Pyroco Mark 2 trial outcome.
Join our expert panel to hear all about the outcomes of the Mark 2 Pyroco trial.
Look out for more details coming soon, or email us at enquiries@iwn.org.au for more information.
WIOA Conference & Exhibition Bendigo
IWN Operators trial sponsorship opportunity February 28 & 29
Are you working in a Victorian or Tasmanian Water Authority? Do you want to trial an innovation or technology that you've seen at the WIOA conference exhibition? Then tell us! We are sponsoring an Operators Trial (valued at $20,000) for a new approach, innovation or technology found by Operators. Come and visit us in Bendigo, to find out more.
Pipeline Intelligence Program trial update
Smartcrete
Hear the latest news about our first field test with Deakin University and the team at Greater Western Water. Watch the video below to learn about this innovative project.
One Water Consortium - Monash University
Industry to practice for improved public health.
Not really a trial ... but an opportunity
The One Water Consortium will develop Australia’s first multidisciplinary, multi-partner framework for enabling waterborne CD surveillance and will work to address identified gaps in the current National Framework for CD Control. These have been prioritised as follows:
Priority 1 - Sampling Innovation; identifying limitations of current sampling approaches .
Priority 2 - Biorepository, to form Australia’s first One Water Biobank.
Priority 3 - Molecular and Genomic Technologies; to responsibly implement leading edge technology, developing and certifying assays for notifiable CD organisms .
Priority 4 - Data Futures & Security; to define a national minimum data set.
Priority 5 - Partnerships, Policy & Practice; to drive standardisation.
How to become involved
The One Water Consortium is looking for partnerships across Australia, from community to water and public health practitioners. One Water is focussed on understanding jurisdictional requirements, from microbe to policy and practice, in designing targeted strategies to address this significant area of public health need. To find out more, or become part of the community of practitioners please email the project co-ordinator Dr Rebekah Henry at rebekah.henry@monash.edu.
Opportunity to Pilot Net Zero Cloud with Salesforce & the Big Zero
Following on from the interest in our February Lunch & Learn we are offering an opportunity to pilot the Net Zero Cloud solution. Salesforce and The Big Zero, are offering IWN members an opportunity to pilot the data-driven decision-making solution to evaluate whether it might assist water authorities to achieve Net Zero emissions.
Want to know more?
If you missed the Lunch & Learn and want to see the recording or learn more about the pilot, please contact us at enquiries@iwn.org.au.
Despite the heat, our Pride in Water Network shone bright at Sunday's Midsumma Pride March! 🌈☀️ Summer arrived all in one weekend, but our passion burned just as fiercely as ever. Together, we celebrated love, diversity, and the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community. It was a day of unity and inclusion, highlighting the incredible work of the Pride in Water Network and our water industry in creating safe spaces and fostering belonging for all. Let's keep making waves of love and acceptance! #MidsummaPride #PrideMarch #InclusionMatters #PrideInWater #LoveIsLove #Equity
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