Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update December 2024
The VicWater team are finishing the year on a high note, having moved into our fabulous new office at Level 4, 99 William St, Melbourne. With a more central CBD location and better amenity for staff and visitors, we look forward to welcoming our members and associate members to make use of our meeting and work spaces when they are in town.
The office move caps off another busy year. Regular readers of the VicWater Update will know that we have been working on a number of projects and initiatives in a range of areas including safety and wellbeing, cybersecurity, diversity and inclusion, financial regulation, water legislation, workforce skills and training, climate adaptation and net zero. My personal highlights for the year were our MDs Forum site visits to Werribee (hosted by Southern Rural Water) and Halls Gap (hosted by Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water), and our highly successful Annual Conference in September.
As always, I owe sincere thanks and gratitude to the hard-working VicWater team – Jason Cotton, Stuart Craven, Tara Daniel, Isobel Decru, Linna Fang and Lauren Vines. Each one of them exemplifies the ‘better together’ spirit through everything they do to deliver value for our members.
I will also take this opportunity to thank all the members, sponsors and partners who we’ve worked with throughout the year. As I observed when wrapping up the Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge awards ceremony last week, while we are often impressed by shiny new technological and scientific innovations, the real gold of our industry can be found in all our amazing people who combine their skills and expertise with a genuine passion and vision for a better future.
I wish everyone a wonderful festive season, and a happy and productive year ahead!
All individual briefings on the project to the participating water corporations have been completed. Water corporations have been asked to advise VicWater on their decision regarding joining the SPV by 13 December.
An update on the project was provided to the IWA Energy & Greenhouse Special Interest Group.
I really enjoy supporting VicWater programs and as we come to the end of 2024, it is wonderful to reflect on 2024 and what has been achieved. I am grateful to the people who are involved in our programs who exemplify the better together ethos. Stay safe and well across the Christmas period and enjoy one too many mince pies!
Caption: Jo Lim, VicWater, Li Gao, South East Water, Jason Cotton, IWN, Jo Murdoch, North East Water
Water Minister's Climate Innovation Challenge Awards Ceremony
VicWater and IWN were thrilled to announce the funding recipients for the 2024 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge, at the awards ceremony on 5 December, recognising innovative solutions that are paving the way for a sustainable water future.
Winner – South East Water & RMIT University
For their world-first off-grid, solar-driven technology to co-produce green hydrogen and oxidant, this solution harnesses renewable energy to reduce emissions and support a low-carbon economy. Installed on a floating modular platform, it integrates with existing water corporation infrastructure, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. Funding will optimize durability, reliability, and efficiency, enhancing its climate impact.
Sustainable concrete alternatives reduce emissions and improve circularity.
Winners of the 2023 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge – Yarra Valley Water, Barwon Water and North East Water – have released a new guide and database of low-carbon concrete alternatives that are ready for immediate use in the Victorian water industry.
Concrete generates about 8% of global carbon emissions. That’s more than any other single product. And if concrete were a country, it would have the world’s third largest carbon footprint after the United States and China.
WaterAble were delighted to celebrate IDPWD (International Day of People with Disability) on 3 December with a webinar featuring some of their Leadership program graduates, which was particularly apt as this year’s theme was amplifying the leadership of people with disability for a more inclusive and sustainable world.
Kimberlee Pithers, Scott Phillips, Melissa Carroll and Sylvia Campbell presented their stories and thoughts on disability inclusion at the online event.
On 12 November 2024, the Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) Circular Economy Program facilitated the Circular Change Makers Tour, providing participants with the opportunity to explore practical applications of circular economy principles.
The tour included visits to:
Cleanaway Plastic Recovery Facility (Laverton): Showcasing advanced recycling technology that converts plastic waste into valuable resources.
Repurpose It (Epping): Demonstrating innovative processes for transforming waste materials into reusable products.
After working hard for many years, you might be thinking about retiring and achieving some of those dreams like a big trip around Australia, a renovation, or even just more time with family! But you may wonder, what happens to my retirement savings? Some people believe they have to withdraw all their superannuation at once when they turn 65 and leave their super fund, but this isn’t generally true.
Photo Caption: First Nations Delegate Eveanne Liddle
First Nations Delegate to join South East Water Board
South East Water’s Board is pleased to have recently appointed an inaugural First Nations Delegate Eveanne Liddle, a proud Arrernte/Luritja woman.
Chair Lynn Warneke said the Board was delighted with Ms Liddle’s appointment given her extensive leadership experience in various roles at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and as current Head of Indigenous Affairs and Inclusion at National Australia Bank.
Greater Western Water (GWW) was thrilled to announce Trainee Adlin Chand has taken home the People’s Choice Award at the Apprentice Training Network’s 2024 Apprentice Training Awards.
Adlin was nominated for not one but two awards; the People’s Choice Award and the Trainee of the Year Award.
Photo caption: Edible garden at Warburton’s community garden
Nurturing community one drop at a time
Water supply is no longer an issue for Warburton’s edible community garden after a financial boost from Yarra Valley Water’s Community Grants Program.
Edible Warburton has received a Yarra Valley Water Community Grant for the purchase and installation of rainwater tanks that will keep the garden flourishing for years to come.
In October 2023, Central Highlands Water (CHW) welcomed over 100 enthusiastic locals to their Community Planting Day along the Yarrowee River.
Together with members of Rotary, Friends of the Yarrowee, Mount Pleasant History Group, Friends of Canadian Corridor and Ballarat Treeworks, as well as Scouts, residents, families, children, and plenty of puppies, the CHW team planted 2,200 shrubs and trees to revegetate the area.
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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