Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update June 2024
As we approach the end of financial year, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the past 12 months at VicWater and how we’ve been working to support our members and the broader water and catchment management sector.
Here are a few of my personal highlights:
Carbon offsets project – as regular readers of our monthly update will know, for more than two years we have been running this highly complex project to bring our members together in a collective approach to the carbon offsets market, to help meet their net zero targets. This month we take an important step forward by issuing an EOI to the market on behalf of 15 water corporations.
Water Industry Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028 – led by VicWater’s Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, this second whole-of-industry strategy demonstrates the sector’s genuine and ongoing commitment to growing a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture, which is reflective of the communities in which we work and live.
Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge – delivered through VicWater’s IWN program, Challenge Round One in 2023 provided catalytic funding for four projects that will explore innovative solutions to climate change challenges. We’re looking forward to running Challenge Round Two this year with an increased prize pool.
Annual Conference 2023 and Director Development Forum 2024 – The VicWater team enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with our members in person at these two very successful events, which brought together board members and senior leaders from water corporations and CMAs for professional development and peer networking.
Industry partnerships – we continue to build productive relationships with our fellow industry associations at state and national level – IWA, Vic Catchments, WIOA, WSAA, AWA, NSW and QLD Water Directorates – sharing knowledge, supporting each other’s initiatives, avoiding duplication and ensuring we deliver value for our shared and respective members.
Looking ahead, the next big thing on the horizon for VicWater is our Annual Conference in September. This year’s theme is ‘Environmental stewardship: Caring for Country and advancing sustainability in the Victorian water sector’ and we’re excited to have internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer and conservationist Professor Tim Flannery confirmed as our Day One keynote speaker. Registrations are now open – see item below for more information.
The documents that will be released to the Carbon market for the Expression of Interest (EOI) process are currently being finalised. The EOI will be released to the Carbon market in mid-June.
A draft Term Sheet for the proposed Special Purpose Vehicle has been prepared. The working group for this stream of work will begin meeting in June to discuss and finalise the Term Sheet/Member’s Agreement.
Roughly twelve months ago, conversations commenced between DEECA and VicWater about the potential to run a sector wide cyber security exercise and late last year we engaged Cythera to help wrangle this together.
On Tuesday (4/6/24) all the planning, workshopping and discussions came to fruition with an in-person event held at Melbourne Water which was expertly facilitated by Craig Joyce from Cythera. The day was set up as two x two-hour discussion exercises, one looking at a major outage of our productivity suites and the other an interruption to our wastewater networks.
VicWater are thrilled to announce our Day 1 Keynote Speaker: Professor Tim Flannery
With the environment and sustainability being the key focus areas for the 2024 Annual Conference, who better to give us the lay of the land and commence our journey through the 2 day program, than global thought leader and environmental champion, Professor Tim Flannery.
IWN Conference: Registration and attendance free for IWN members!
Join IWN to hear about all the exciting innovative trials and new opportunities that have been in the works. You will enjoy networking with industry thought leaders and be a part of industry collaborative transformation.
Save the date for the next IWA Plenary Session and SIG Meetings - 18 July 2024
Plenary Session - 9:00am - 9:45am
SIG Meetings - 10am onwards
Further information and registrations to open shortly.
Photo credit: WaterAid/Tariq Hawari
Save the date to Walk for Water!
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.
As the end of the financial year approaches, it’s important to engage in some superannuation ‘housekeeping’ to check your financial future remains on track. Taking the time to review and optimise your super arrangements can yield significant benefits in the long run, but what should you look out for?
Review your contributions: While you may not look at your contributions every month, you may want to take stock of your super contributions for the year.
Central Highlands Water taps Infor for digital transformation
Infor CloudSuite Public Sector to modernise and streamline operations with improved data governance and transparency
Infor®, the industry cloud company has announced that long-time customer Central Highlands Water will deploy Infor CloudSuite Public Sector to transform it into an agile, data-driven digital utility with streamlined budgeting and reporting.
Special film night and precinct walk to honour Reconciliation Week
Barwon Water was proud to participate in National Reconciliation Week 2024, themed “Now More Than Ever,” with a series of events designed to educate and engage the community on the importance of reconciliation.
National Reconciliation Week, which ran from 27 May to 3 June, offered an opportunity to reflect on our shared histories, cultures, and the steps we can take towards achieving reconciliation.
First Nations appointment to North East Water board
North East Water is proud to announce the appointment of Taungurung man Shayne Rodgers as an independent Aboriginal delegate of the Corporation’s Board of directors.
Mr Rodgers is North East Water’s third Aboriginal delegate to be engaged since 2019 and has been appointed to commence in July 2024.
Chair, Stephen Brown, said Shayne has an extensive background in project management at the Taungurung Land and Waters Council and involvement in community-based initiatives focused on gambling harm prevention and policy creation.
VCE Vocational Major students from St Bede’s College explored career pathways in the water industry by getting a first-hand look at water main renewal works along Beach Road in Mentone.
South East Water and delivery partner Service Stream provided students with unique access to watch crews working on site who also shared their insights about the diverse career pathways available in the water sector.
Sunraysia Water Efficiency Project contractors have held up well to the scrutiny of nearly 400 “Junior Pipeline Inspectors” during a recent visit from the Nichols Point Primary School.
Lower Murray Water (LMW) is proud to be delivering the Sunraysia Water Efficiency Project (SWEP), a crucial initiative modernising irrigation infrastructure across the Mildura, Merbein, and Red Cliffs irrigation districts in Victoria’s far northwest. The water-saving project, funded by the Australian Government to the tune of $37.9 million, is all about delivering long-term benefits for Sunraysia’s irrigators.
Gippsland Water has helped boost the local population of endangered Strzelecki Gums (Eucalyptus strzeleckii) with a successful revegetation program in Neerim South.
The small population is found in a conservation site Gippsland Water manages near Neerim South wastewater treatment plant and Red Hill Creek.
Revegetation has several benefits, including the reduction of soil erosion, increased soil fertility and improved plant and animal biodiversity.
Yarra Valley Water donate emergency response equipment
Yarra Valley Water has donated 26 silt bags, worth $1000, to the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Heidelberg Unit.
Yarra Valley Water Acting General Manager Distribution Services Kristen Knight said the utility was proud to support the local VICSES unit.
“As an organisation deeply rooted in the community, we understand the importance of supporting local emergency services. This donation will help the VICSES Heidelberg Unit in their efforts to keep our community safe during floods and other emergencies,” Ms Knight 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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