Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update - April 2025
Incorporating IWN
VicWater is a long-time sponsor of the Operator of the Year Award at the WIOA Vic Conference, and last week I had the pleasure of presenting this year’s award to Ben Evans, Waste Recycling Plant Lead Operator at South East Water. Ben has spent his entire career in the Victorian water sector, starting as a trainee with Pakenham Water Board in 1988. I would like to congratulate all the award nominees and winners who were recognised at the WIOA Conference, a testament to the number of talented and dedicated people who we are fortunate to have working in our industry.
Which is a neat segue into my next topic…
This month we say a fond farewell to David Middleton, who is stepping down from Greater Western Water and VicWater. David has been Chair of VicWater since June 2022, and during his tenure he has overseen the appointment of a new CEO (me!), development of a new five year strategic plan, closer alignment between the MDs and Chairs Forums, a stronger focus on advocacy, and a number of other initiatives to improve member value. All of us at VicWater have very much appreciated David’s leadership, support and championing of our work to make the Victorian water sector ‘Better Together’.
We are very pleased to welcome Therese Tierney, Chair of East Gippsland Water, and Stephen Brown, Chair of North East Water, as the new Chair and Deputy Chair of VicWater. Therese has been our Deputy Chair since June 2022, and Stephen joined our Board in December 2024. We look forward to working with Therese, Stephen and the rest of the Board to ensure we continue to reflect and represent the views and interests of our members in all that we do.
And that brings me to my final note for this month, which is to draw your attention to the VicWater/IWN member events that we have coming up in the next few months. These events cover a broad range of current and emerging issues for the industry. More information is included below, and I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities for professional development and networking.
The Project Oversight Committee held its first meeting on 17 March. At this meeting the committee was provided with an update on the project as well as the tasks required to enable the establishment of the special purpose vehicle (SPV).
This committee will work on finalising the requirements for establishing the SPV including:
Finalising the Member’s Agreement and Constitution
Designing and implementing a process to appoint Directors to the SPV
Developing a draft operating model and budget
Preparing the core procurement documents and planning for the Tranche 1 RfP.
Hi Everyone! Welcome to the April IWN update. We have a heap of news to share this month, new trials, new partnership opportunities, a launch and some trials concluding with outstanding results. Just click on the story of interest in the links at the end of my intro.
Planning for our 2025 MEMBERS CONFERENCE - Future Ready: Resilience through Innovation on 28 July is in full swing. We have a tremendous line up of speakers and conversations as well as a networking dinner and an engaging dinner speaker panel. Registration is free for staff of IWN member organisations at:
Every morning, I make a cup of coffee then take some time to sit and read the news headlines. Sometimes, it leads to a quiet moment of reflection, other times it feels like it leads to incredulity from the ludicrous things that appear to have happened overnight. But what it is for me, it’s more than just staying informed; it’s a way of taking the temperature of what is happening globally, nationally, and locally.
Save the date for the VicWater Annual Conference, which will take place from 9 – 11 September 2025 at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.
This year the 2025 conference theme is “Future-Ready: Innovation, Optimism, and Opportunity” and highlights the importance of innovative solutions, forward-thinking strategies, and a positive outlook in addressing today’s challenges and unlocking tomorrow’s opportunities.
We will be launching the conference and opening registrations shorty.
Registrations are now open for the Thought Leadership Seminar on Audit & Risk this May. This seminar is targeted to senior audit & risk personnel within the water sector including audit & risk commitee chairs and members, risk & strategy executives and others involved in audit & risk activities.
This half-day seminar examines how contemporary risk management strategies can be applied across the water sector in our changing world. Come and join industry peers, hear from subject matter experts and industry professionals to gain an enhanced understanding of the many issues faced by the water sector.
Date:Thursday 15 May, 2025
Time: 9:45 am - 1:30 pm Venue: VicWater Office, Level 4, 99 William Street, Melbourne
Cost: FREE (VicWater Members)
This seminar will finish with a networking lunch to encourage new connections and collaboration across the Victorian water industry.
Capacity is limited, so get your registration in early. Registrations close Friday 9 May.
We’re excited to announce that registrations are now open for the IWN Annual Conference, taking place on 28 July 2025 at the State Library, Melbourne.
This year’s theme, “Future-ready: Resilience through Innovation”, will bring together industry leaders, showcase groundbreaking projects, and provide plenty of opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Fitted for Work is seeking a partnership with a water industry corporation for their innovative customer referral service, Supervention.
This early intervention program supports female and non-binary customers facing financial hardship due to unemployment or underemployment by addressing their unique employment needs before they reach a financial crisis. By building job-readiness and confidence, Supervention has a measurable impact on the time it takes for individuals to secure stable employment.
Greater Western Water’s recycled water flows to the elephants
Greater Western Water (GWW) has played a key role in welcoming a herd of nine Asian elephants to Werribee Open Range Zoo.
The water corporation supported the development of the zoo’s new elephant habitat by constructing a 2.5km pipeline connecting recycled water produced at the local Werribee Recycled Water Plant to the zoo.
The new pipeline provides the zoo with a reliable, sustainable water supply, reducing their reliance on precious drinking water supplies and supports the long-term resilience of our waterways.
Melbourne Water launches new learning tool for students and teachers on World Water Day
Melbourne Water has launched a fun and engaging 3D learning experience for teachers and students, allowing them to discover key stages of the natural and urban water cycle in a simulation of Melbourne.
From evaporation to precipitation, World of Water helps students to connect abstract ideas to real places by linking topics like transpiration to forests and precipitation to catchments.
This new release also includes a Teacher Toolbox, which features lesson plans, worksheets, and videos to bring water education to life in the classroom.
Caption: An automated flushing device recently installed by Gippsland Water.
Automated devices enhance water quality
Gippsland Water will add 20 automated flushing devices to pipelines across its service area over the next two years.
The series of installations kicked off in Toongabbie and Cowwarr last month, with Morwell and Rosedale next in line.
The technology was previously recognised in the Intelligent Water Network’s Hydrovation Challenge and the Water Industry Operation’s Association of Australia’s PASS Awards, which celebrated the organisation’s work to make the devices programmable from a remote location.
Plan ahead: Understanding insurance through your super
Insurance is designed to give you peace of mind – knowing that you and your family are protected when life doesn’t go as planned. Many Australians insure their home, their car, their health and even their pets, but we don’t always consider how we or our family might be impacted financially if we were to suffer a serious injury – or worse.
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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