Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update - September 2025
Incorporating IWN
Last month VicWater hosted a visit from Professor Dr Jacqueline Cramer, former Minister for Housing, Spatial Development and the Environment in the Netherlands Government. More recently, Prof Cramer has been appointed to assist the Dutch cement industry, steel industry and textile industry on circular solutions and decarbonisation. Prof Cramer was accompanied by circular economy industry expert Helen Millicer, CEO of One Planet Consulting.
The Netherlands is a recognised leader in circular economy, and it was fascinating to learn from Prof Cramer about the role she is playing as a ‘transition broker’ between government and industry to achieve an ambitious target of 50% reduction in the use of raw materials by 2030. She has pioneered a ‘frontrunner-peloton’ approach in the concrete sector, where a core group of public and private sector partners (frontrunners) are working to implement innovative re-use and recycling solutions will then be included in procurement requirements for the followers (peloton) over time.
Prof Cramer’s visit was also a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the exciting circular economy and sustainability projects that are currently underway in the Victorian water sector. It was great to hear from Barwon Water, North East Water, Wannon Water and Yarra Valley Water about the work they’re doing to promote and advance resource recovery, waste to energy, recycled water use and sustainable construction materials.
L to R: Isobel Decru, Michael Webster, Jo Lim, Jill Fagan, Jason Cotton, Prof Jacqueline Cramer, Lisa Ehrenfried, Helen Millicer, Hayley Vinden, Stephanie Salinas, Kerryn Lester-Smith
This month we are very pleased to renew our long-standing partnership with Vision Super. Did you know that Vision Super used to be the default superannuation fund for the water industry, and for many years VicWater nominated an industry director onto the Vision Super board. We are grateful for Vision Super’s ongoing support, including sponsorship of our Annual Conference which is taking place next week at Park Hyatt Melbourne. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming more than 200 delegates from Victoria and beyond, including a cohort of 22 Emerging Leaders representing the best and brightest of talent in our sector.
I had the terrific opportunity this month to contribute to the North East Water (NEW) Visioning workshop in West Wodonga. As a key part of NEW’s Strategy 2040, the workshop brought together over 50 stakeholders, partners, collaborators, educators, farmers, environmental groups, businesses and creative minds to workshop a vision to transition from wastewater treatment to resource recovery. It’s exciting to be a part of such leading edge thinking and collaborative conversations that are happening in our sector to embrace a transition to a circular economy.
L to R - Stephen Brown, Chair NEW, Jo Murdoch, MD NEW, Jason Cotton, IWN, John Day, GM NEW
Throughout July and August I have been working with the EPA to reshape the format of the Water Sector Consultation Group and develop a new Terms of Reference. The new format is similar to that of the previous Water Industry Reference Group and allows for the formation of working groups to investigate issues that would benefit from a collaborative approach.
I thought it timely to provide an update on the different programs that I support in my role at VicWater.
WaterAble
WaterAble are very excited to announce that they will be holding an online event for International Day for People with Disability on 3 December 2025 at 10:30am. Please save the date and more details will be coming soon!
Cyber Governance Steering Committee
VicWater on behalf of DEECA have kicked off a project to develop a set of Digital Water Standards for the sector. This is not about telling the sector what Frameworks or tools they must use but rather providing some guidance on how they could be applied consistently to meet the various obligations that they have.
We would like to thank all of our sponsors and partners that have supported us with the 2025 VicWater Annual Conference.
Corporate Partner
Vision Super
Principal Sponsor
Echo Managed Services
Industry Sponsor
Salesforce
Technology Sponsor
NCS
Conference Supporters
TCV, RSM, Maddocks, American Express, KBR and Stormharvester
Conference Associates
Snap Send Solve, Cythera and Aurecon
Media Partner
Prime Creative Media
2025 Challenge Open For Submissions
The 2025 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge is curently open for submissions. The 2025 Challenge was officially launched by the Hon Gayle Tierney MP, Minister for Water, at the Intelligent Water Networks Members Conference. This year, $280,000 in funding is available.
Submissions are open until 28 September 2025.
For further information and to apply, click below.
DEECA in partnership with VicWater and VicCatchments will deliver a Director Development Forum on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at the RACV Club Melbourne.
This event is for all non-executive directors of water corporations and CMAs.
Invitations to follow but please save the date in the meantime.
Water Efficiency Conference 2025
Don’t miss out on the Water Efficiency Conference, a biennial conference on efficient urban water management, run in association with the International Water Association (IWA) and the Australian Water Association (AWA).
When: 16 -18 September 2025 Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
Floating Wetlands Show Promise in Cutting Lagoon Emissions
Wastewater treatment plants are an essential part of modern life — but they also produce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). These emissions account for a notable share of the water sector’s carbon footprint, with methane and nitrous oxide being especially potent contributors to global warming.
As part of Victoria’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035, Westernport Water partnered with RMIT University’s Centre for Nature Positive Solutions to investigate innovative, nature-based approaches to lowering emissions from wastewater lagoons. The focus: whether a simple intervention, a constructed floating wetland (CFW) could make a measurable difference in reducing greenhouse gases.
L to R: Steven Healy, Central Highlands Water, Catherine King, Member for Ballarat and Paul Donohue, Central Highlands Water
Funding to Investigate More Resilient Water Connections
Member for Ballarat, Catherine King and Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett have announced $600,000 in joint funding for Central Highlands Water’s Forest Hill Water Supply Connection project, last month in August 2025.
Catherine King, Member for Ballarat said:
“This business case is the first step in ensuring that water supply is more reliable and resilient for both the people living in these communities and the farms and industry operating in the area.
Lilydale Primary School students, l - r: Amelie, Lachie, Grace and Caleb
Local schools take action on water efficiency as dry conditions continue
As drier than usual conditions continue, more schools across Victoria are now actively monitoring and reducing their water use thanks to the Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP).
Since the program began in 2012, schools in the Yarra Valley Water region have saved more than 2.5 billion litres of water, and more than $10 million in reduced bills through SWEP.
The program enables participating schools to track their water usage via data-loggers and online monitoring dashboards to detect leaks and promote water wise habits.
The Traralgon Tyers Interconnect will run underground and connect at Dranes Road and Traralgon- Maffra Road in Traralgon
Gippsland Water secures Federal funding for Traralgon Tyers Interconnect
Gippsland Water has secured $4.78M from the Federal Government’s National Water Grid Fund towards the Traralgon Tyers interconnect project.
The 4.3km pipeline will help to secure water availability for customers in Glengarry, Toongabbie, Cowwarr and Rosedale.
The townships will be connected to Traralgon’s water network to enable a more reliable and efficient delivery of service.
Managing director Sarah Cumming said the pipeline would strengthen the region’s infrastructure to help combat climate change, extreme weather events and a growing population.
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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