Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update May 2024
It was great to see the Victorian water sector well represented at Ozwater 24 in Melbourne last week, among a record attendance of 1,800 delegates. With three days of multi-streamed conference sessions and a massive trade exhibition, there was truly something for everyone.
One of my key takeaways – and yes I know it will sound parochial! – is that the Victorian water sector is at the forefront of efforts to tackle the big challenges of our time. I was pleased to be a panel speaker at a session organised by Aurecon on the use of carbon credits in the water sector. Discussion in the room indicated that Victorian water corporations are comparatively well advanced on the pathway to net zero, in taking focused actions to reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions combined with a considered approach to the appropriate use of carbon offsets.
I also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in Ozwater’s Young Water Professionals program, in a session aimed at building communications and influencing skills around complex issues like climate change. Delegates worked in groups to brainstorm their approach and then deliver a 2 minute ‘elevator pitch’. The intelligence and enthusiasm of the young professionals in the room was inspiring, and I left the session feeling confident that the future of our industry is in good hands.
Another feel-good experience at Ozwater was the WaterAid breakfast and the chance to hear about their work to improve access to water and sanitation services in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. The breakfast was also the official launch of Walk for Water 2024, and while we probably won’t make the fundraising leaderboard (topped last year by Yarra Valley Water), I know the VicWater team are keen to fire up the Fitbit and help support this worthwhile cause – check out the WaterAid item below for more information.
The April working group meeting continued developing the DTF Investment Management Standard for the project. This meeting focussed on articulating the benefits needed to be delivered to solve the problem statements that were defined at the previous workshop.
Carbon Offsets Project
Three working group meetings were held during April to assist MAG/Aurecon to develop the range of documents required for the Expression of Interest (EOI) process. Aurecon/MAG are currently the preparing the documents and it is expected that the EOI will be released to the Carbon market in June.
I was fortunate to attend the annual OzWater conference last week in Melbourne, along with a high contingent of the Victorian water sector, given the hometown advantage. I thought I would share a couple of the key highlights from my week:
Shae Abel talking about Melbourne Water’s belonging framework and then hearing from Naveen Maram and Andrew Mellor about their experiences with it. This is an incredible piece of work that really gets to the heart of why we support equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives so that all employees in the Victorian water sector feel a sense of belonging to ensure that they thrive.
Join South East Water for this industry collaborative event
Join in online to hear from special guest speaker Ben Brown. Ben is a Senior Relationship Manager at ACON’s Pride in Diversity and is passionate about delivering inclusive workplace support and strategic initiatives that push the boundaries to create impactful change.
Event Details
When: 16 May 2024
Time: 10am – 11am
Where: Online via Teams
Please click the button below for further information and to register.
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.
Webinar: Preventing sexual harassment: From compliance to cultural change
The WWDN Committee invites you to attend our first event for 2024.
We will hear from Frances Anderson and Veronica Belot,Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (VGSO) on the positive duty on employers under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to prevent workplace sexual harassment, followed by a panel discussion about the role of leaders in driving cultural change in our organisations and communities to help create safe environments for all people to thrive and live without fear of harassment and violence.
Event Details
When: Friday 17 May 2024
Time: 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Where: via Zoom
WWDN welcomes all non-executive directors, MDs/CEOs and executive managers of water corporations and CMAs (regardless of gender) who support gender equity and diversity to attend this event.
The committee has been busy this year and want to update you on a couple of exciting opportunities.
WaterAble Champion program
We are seeking expressions of interest for the WaterAble Champion Program.
The goal of this program is to set up an internal contact point to share information about inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability in the water industry. By nominating a WaterAble Champion, your organisation can improve internal communication, encourage sharing of knowledge, and bring about positive changes within teams.
Victorian Water Sector – The Legal Issues and Challenges
The Victorian water sector currently faces many complex challenges. In today’s multi-stakeholder environment, there is ongoing pressure to deliver a wide range of practical and effective outcomes.
Russell Kennedy, with decades of experience working in the sector, is pleased to invite you to this special, half-day seminar. Our speakers, including senior lawyers and industry insiders, will provide their unique insights and understanding.
Event Details
When: Thursday, 6 June 2024
Time: 9.00am – 2.00pm
Where: Russell Kennedy Centre, Level 12, 469 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
The Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV) publishes a quarterly report highlighting insights from their caseload and broader work program. In the forthcoming issue of Reflect – EWOV identifies key casework insights:
EWOV received 4,442 cases in the Jan-Mar quarter 2024, down 5% from 4,666 cases in the Oct-Dec quarter 2023
However, EWOV’s caseload was up 31% compared with the same quarter last year – EWOV received 3381 cases in the Jan-Mar quarter 2023.
WaterAid Australia’s annual Walk for Water fundraiser will be taking place once again this October. Join teams from all around the country raising funds and awareness for WaterAid’s vital work.
Ask your work mates and friends to sponsor you as you walk, run or ride for five days between 14-18 October, and you’ll be helping people around the world access clean water close to home, in their schools, and at their healthcare facilities.
Strategic financial planning: maximising super contributions and retirement readiness
For many, navigating financial landscapes when nearing retirement may require a targeted approach, particularly if you’re choosing to place an emphasis on bolstering superannuation.
There are many practical ways you can optimise super contributions, stay informed about changes in superannuation policies, and be well-prepared for retirement.
Coliban Water leading the way to protect water catchments
Coliban Water is the first water corporation in Australia to adopt the Australian Water Association’s new source water protection policy.
Known as the Source Water Protection Statement, it provides 11 new prevention-led principles to support water corporations with catchment policy direction and ultimately better protect drinking water catchments.
Caption: South East Water Managing Director Lara Olsen, Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming and Iota Chief Executive Officer Daniel Sullivan.
Barwon Water partners with Iota to accelerate water saving technology rollout
Barwon Water is teaming up with Iota to meet the shared challenges facing the Victorian water sector with technology developed in the state.
With support from a technology platform developed at South East Water, Barwon Water will accelerate and expand its digital meter rollout to save water, following successful trials in Apollo Bay and Birregurra.
Yarra Valley Water has unveiled a new map-based tool to show the threat climate change may have on its infrastructure in the future. The water utility has warned that extreme weather events, including bushfires, flooding and droughts, are increasingly impacting our water supply and essential infrastructure.
Caption: South East Water team members with Managing Director Lara Olsen (centre) at the 2024 Australian Water Awards Ozwater Gala Dinner.
Innovative environmental mapping tool recognised at Australian Water Awards
South East Water has been nationally recognised for its innovative Environmental Sensitivity Map, placing among finalists in the Organisational Excellence category at the Australian Water Association (AWA) Awards in Melbourne.
The water utility created the map to identify and protect sensitive environments within Melbourne’s south-east, providing insights into 26 sensitivity categories across local waterways, terrestrial and marine environments.
Gippsland Water is inviting local primary, kindergarten and early learning students to enter its National Water Week poster competition.
Students are encouraged to design, draw or paint a poster that reflects this year’s theme, “Water for all, inspiring action,” which acknowledges the importance of water and everyone’s role in using water sustainably now and into the future.
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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