Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update September 2024
It is 12 months since the Victorian Government launched their Housing Statement, centred around a target to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade, and 2.24 million homes by 2051. The water sector is a key enabler and stakeholder in the delivery of this commitment.
Last month I was invited to attend Victoria’s Housing Forum, hosted by the Treasurer with the Premier and Minister for Housing, Minister for Planning and Minister for Precincts all in attendance. With Melbourne’s population forecast to reach 9 million by 2050 (the size of London today), the Treasurer spoke about the need to invest now for the infrastructure of the future, and to address intergenerational equity issues.
Housing targets are being developed as a part of a new Plan for Victoria, and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) have been undertaking industry and community consultation in recent months. Along with some of our members, VicWater made a submission to DTP which highlights the main topics of interest/concern for the water sector, including funding for new infrastructure, planning and approvals, and embedding Integrated Water Management (IWM) principles. We will continue to focus on the Housing Statement/Plan for Victoria as a key advocacy priority over the coming months.
This month we welcome a new member to our small team, with Isobel Decru joining VicWater as Deputy IWN Program Manager. Isobel comes to us from South East Water and RMIT, where she has already made an invaluable contribution to IWN through her involvement in the Biosolids to Biochar project. Isobel’s commencement date happens to be the first day of our Annual Conference, so it will be a great opportunity for her to spend time with our members and learning more about current and emerging issues in our sector.
Speaking of our Annual Conference, we are very excited that it is now sold out with 200 people attending over the three days. If you managed to score a ticket then I look forward to seeing you there!
The evaluation of the 18 compliant Expressions of Interest has now been completed (including 3 evaluation meetings) and the evaluation report is being finalised.
Allens has provided a further draft of the Term Sheet for the proposed Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which incorporates comments and feedback from the SPV working group. This draft will be considered by the working group and any further comments will be provided to Allens for incorporation into the document.
Cyber Governance Steering Committee The CGSC have been progressing and workshopping the June cyber exercise outcomes and we now have a nicely bundled project which we will be delivering in partnership with DEECA.
Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC) and Practitioners networks The DISC has developed a maturity model that will allow water corporations to self-assess their Equity, Diversity and Inclusion maturity. This is in the testing phase and will be used to identify areas that we can share information to enhance our collective knowledge.
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.
Clearwater has an exciting program of events coming up in the second half of 2024 supporting skills, knowledge and network development to drive the implementation of Integrated Water Management (IWM) practices.
For further information, read more via the button link below. For a full program of events, visit Clearwater’s website, or contact directly: info@clearwatervic.com.au.
Central Highlands Water and TRILITY Training Services – Course places on offer
TRILITY Training Services and Central Highlands Water are conducting NWPTRT040 Operate and control digestion processes training in Ballarat W/C on 17 – 19 September. They have some spare slots they would like to fill.
This three-day course is open to all and will be held in Ballarat from Tuesday, September 17, to Thursday, September 19.
Gain the skills and knowledge in reporting on system performance within domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants, conducting inspections, identifying process faults and collecting samples.
Spots are limited, so register now to ensure you don’t miss out – NWPTRT040 registration
Nobody likes to think about what would happen when they die. But your super is likely to be one of your most valuable assets so it’s important to think about who it would go to after your death. If you want to make sure your super money ends up with the people you choose, it’s important to keep your super up to date by nominating your beneficiaries.
What’s a beneficiary?
A beneficiary is the person who receives your super death benefit. Your super death benefit is made up of your balance in your account plus any insurance payment (if you have insurance through your super). Beneficiaries are certain people who can benefit from your super after your death. These are set out in superannuation law.
More ways to pay supports a better customer experience: Partnering with American Express
As digital payments boom, there is a growing need for service providers to review how their customers can make payments.
Research from American Express shows Victorian Residents and Small Businesses increasingly want to use their American Express ®Cards to pay for essential services, including water and utility bills. 1
American Express is known to many VicWater members, both as a sponsor of the Annual VicWater Conference and as a payment provider across tiers of government, government agencies and statutory bodies across Australia.
With growing demand for American Express acceptance, American Express can help VicWater’s members improve their customer preferred experience by providing them with more choice in how they make their payments.
Central Highlands Water welcomes First Nations appointment to Board
Central Highlands Water were pleased to announce the appointment of proud Gunditjmara woman, Renee Bosworth, as an Independent Aboriginal Delegate to the Board last month.
Ms Bosworth, whose appointment will commence in August 2024, is CHW’s second Independent Aboriginal Delegate to be appointed since 2023.
Ms Bosworth has extensive experience in customer and community engagement and a passion for advocating for the increased education, health and wellbeing of First Nations people.
Board Chair, Angeleen Jenkins said that Renee brings a strong sense of leadership that’s enriched with cultural knowledge, diverse viewpoints and strong perspectives in community needs.
Barwon Water’s services are being delivered by net-zero emissions electricity, with all its facilities now powered by 100 per cent renewables.
In a major milestone, the organisation has reached the Victorian water sector’s aim to source all electricity from renewable sources a full year ahead of the 2025 target.
Minister for Water, The Hon Harriet Shing MP and Minister for Climate Action, The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP were among guests who celebrated the achievement at Barwon Water’s Torquay Tank, which features a 240-kilowatt solar array.
Yarra Valley Water named top ranking water company on Financial Times Climate Leaders List
Yarra Valley Water has been named the top-ranking water company on the prestigious Financial Times Asia-Pacific Climate Leaders list for 2024 – for the second year in a row.
The list, compiled by the Financial Times and Statista, showcases the most influential companies in the Asia-Pacific region that are leading the way in climate action and sustainability.
Yarra Valley Water ranked in the top 15 out of only 37 Australian companies to make it to the list.
UV upgrade at water filtration plant shines a light for Myrniong
Greater Western Water (GWW) customers in Myrniong are benefiting from improved water quality following a $1 million upgrade to their local water filtration plant.
The upgrade saw the completion of a new ultraviolet (UV) disinfection unit at the Myrniong Water Filtration Plant (WFP).
The new infrastructure will enhance the regular disinfection treatment process at the plant by using powerful ultraviolet light to neutralise potentially harmful microorganisms.
Moe water supply protected with riverbank planting
Gippsland Water has safeguarded a key piece of Moe’s water network by planting more than 8,000 native trees and shrubs along Tanjil River near Tanjil South.
The project was completed this month and will reduce long-term pump operating costs by improving water quality.
Managing director Sarah Cumming said it would reduce the risk of damage to Tanjil River pump station, which supplies Moe water treatment plant.
South East Water is upgrading an existing wastewater lagoon at the Boneo Water Recycling Plant to manage increased flows during wet weather events.
The new emergency storage lagoon will allow the water utility to hold up to 8.9 million litres of wastewater coming through the southern Mornington Peninsula sewer network.
Acting General Manager Service Delivery, Andrew Forster-Knight said the emergency storage would improve plant reliability and reduce the impact of extreme wet weather events driven by climate change.
New underground water pipeline provides TAFE students with hands-on learning experience
Future tradies learned about the installation of a new underground water pipeline that will service 400,000 Melburnians, when Melbourne Water invited a group of Swinburne TAFE plumbing and welding students to visit the Kilsyth to Croydon Water Main Renewal project last month.
The Kilsyth to Croydon water main renewal project is replacing ageing sections of a 4.5km underground water pipeline with two new water mains, each spanning an impressive 1.35m in diameter.
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.
Share
Share this newsletter with your colleagues and ask them to Subscribe to VicWater's monthly news.
