Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
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VicWater Update - October 2025

Incorporating IWN

JoLim

My favourite time on the VicWater calendar each year is our Annual Conference, which took place last month at Park Hyatt Melbourne with over 200 delegates in attendance. Over three days of connection and learning, we explored the conference theme ‘Future-Ready: Innovation, Optimism and Opportunity’ across a variety of topical issues, and every session reminded us that the future of water is as much about people and collaboration as it is about assets and infrastructure.

 

It was a privilege to welcome international guest speakers Will Sarni (US), Hayley Monks (UK) and Howie Sim (Singapore), who offered fresh global perspectives on innovation, technology, collaboration and leadership.

International collage

L to R: Will Sarni, Hayley Monks and Howie Sim

 

I was particularly heartened by the strong audience engagement around the panel session on Treaty readiness, where we heard about the unique opportunity we have to build on the work we are already doing and the relationships we already have with Traditional Owners around the state, to continue to integrate First Peoples’ knowledge, values and leadership in water planning, decision-making and governance.

Treaty1-cropped

L to R: Tiffany White, Glenn Pellegrin, Greg Robinson, Rueben Berg, Elly Patira and Aunty Kym Monohan

 

I was also encouraged by the active participation in the circular economy workshop facilitated by Jodie Bricout from Aurecon. The notion of designing out waste — not just material waste, but carbon, underutilised capacity and other inefficiencies — resonated powerfully with conference delegates. Another highlight was the strong interest generated by Steve Capewell’s presentation on pathways to community and regulatory acceptance of purified recycled water, based on the Western Australian experience.

Jodie and Steve collage

L to R: Jodie Bricout and Steve Capewell

 

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this year’s conference such a success – to our speakers, facilitators and panellists for the careful thought and effort they put into their sessions, to our conference sponsors for their generous support, and most of all to our delegates for bringing their energy and enthusiasm.

 

Last but not least, a big thank you to the VicWater team for all their hard work in creating this opportunity for our members and industry colleagues to come together as a sector, and focus on the big issues shaping the future of water in Victoria.

VicWater Conference 2025 Team Photo-3 - cropped

L to R: Isobel Decru, Tara Daniel, Stuart Craven, Jo Lim, Jason Cotton, Linna Fang and Lauren Vines

 

Jo Lim

CEO

D25-002.IWNBannerJasonC_5

IWN Update - October 2025

 

Hi and welcome to the IWN October Update

 

After a busy few weeks with the VicWater Conference, project launches and developing new opportunities, we are gearing up for some exciting events just around the corner, here’s a snapshot of what’s been happening and how you can get involved.

 

In-Stream – Stream Teams Expression of Interest

Do you want to help shape solutions for some of the biggest challenges facing the sector? Expressions of interest are now open to join one of our In-Stream Teams.

 

This is a 12-month commitment (less than one day per month on average), and an exciting opportunity to learn world leading innovation methodologies and processes and collaborate with top innovation and technology companies, including NCS and Salesforce.

 

👉 Submit your EOI here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8GX7ZZH

 

What is In-Stream? In-Stream is a process of innovation. It taps the global best practice methodologies that our partner organisations use in their own businesses to drive innovation at speed and scale. Broadly the In-Stream process will explore:

  • Define the challenge – refine and validate the challenge statement
  • Ideate for potential solutions
  • Refine potential solutions
  • Prototype and iterate the preferred solution
  • Evaluate and Adopt

 

Click below to read the full update.

Read full update
PolicyUpdateStuartCraven

Policy Update - October 2025

 

Carbon Offsets Project

September has been a busy month for the Carbon Offsets project with three major achievements having been made. These include:

  • Michael Wheelahan, Principal at Proud Mary Consulting has been engaged as the Program Manager and will take over the day to day running of the project from early October. As part of this engagement, a water corporation staff member will be assisting with project implementation, which will assist in boosting emissions reduction/offsetting knowledge and experience in the water sector.
Read full update
ProgramUpdateTaraDaniel

Program Update - October 2025

 

Last month I had the pleasure of facilitating a panel at the VicWater Annual Conference on the very broad topic of Innovating the Customer Experience. My first thought was, “I know nothing about customer experience!” but I promptly said yes anyway, because being out of my comfort zone is something I have been trying on…(and I liken it to buying new jeans, which are awful in the beginning, but then become so comfy you never want to take them off).

 

Once I began preparing, I realised just how complex this space really is. Customer experience is about people, and people are, quite simply, incredibly complex. We all have different needs, expectations, and ideas about what “good service” looks like. So, throughout the preparation – I tried to keep front of mind the question of – how do you innovate in a way that brings people with you?

Read full update
shutterstock_1206996064 mentoring one-on-one

Walk for water

VicWater are walking for water!

 

The VicWater team are getting active from 6 – 10 October to support WaterAid Australia’s annual initiative Walk for Water.

 

Participants nationwide are walking, running or riding to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the 703 million people worldwide – 1 in 10 – who lack access to safe water close to home.

 

The event aims to shed light on the daily struggles of millions who endure long journeys to access clean water, a hardship that affects their health, education and quality of life.

    Read full update
    shutterstock_1206996064 mentoring one-on-one

    Eventbrite banner - Nov 25 v2

    Register now for the 2025 IWA Conference!

     

    The IWA Conference and SIG meetings will be held in-person on 19 & 20 November 2025 in Geelong.

     

    From Uncertainty to Action: Building an AI Ready Workforce

    The future of our workforce depends on its ability to adapt, innovate, and lead. This conference puts a spotlight on the transformational role of artificial intelligence including automation, data analytics Generative AI in reshaping how we manage water, make decisions, and develop skills.

     

    We'll explore how you can harness these tools to build resilience, with a focus on people. We’ll delve into the practical implications of AI for the sector, highlight the emerging skillsets needed across all levels, and discuss how to future-proof careers in an era of rapid change.

     

    Please register for the components of the conference you wish to attend including:

    • AGM – 8.30am – Wed 19 November – Barwon Water
    • Half-Day Conference – 12pm – 5pm – Wed 19 November – Novotel Geelong
    • Conference Dinner – 6pm onwards – Wed 19 November – Novotel Geelong
    • SIG Meetings – Thurs 20 November – Novotel Geelong, Barwon Water and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.
      Read more and Register

      Director Development Forum 2026 - Eventbrite graphic title no logos

      Save the date!

      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.

        Sponsored Content

        AdobeStock_304035795 - Water treament plant 2000px

        Vision Super – We’re at your service

         

        The merger with Active Super changed a lot of things for us – we’re about twice as big, with lower fees and offices in two states. But one thing definitely hasn’t changed – our priority is still delivering great long-term outcomes for members. Delivering strong investment returns is a big part of this but so is tangible support when you need it, at every stage of your super journey.

         

        Service is at the heart of what we do, so we’re excited to be able to connect with more members now that we have offices in both Melbourne and Sydney as well as people on the ground throughout Victoria and NSW.

        Read more

        Barwon - Drone Shot _ March 2025 _ Dewing Creek 3

        Major carbon sequestration project underway 

        Barwon Water’s first nature-based carbon sequestration project is taking shape, with tens of thousands of tube stock now growing in regional nurseries.

         

        The Dewing Creek Catchment Restoration project is re-establishing 150 hectares of native forest in a key area east of Barwon Downs, on Eastern Maar Country.

         

        A range of Geelong, Colac and Otways region nurseries are preparing a total of 86,000 native plants, which will go into the ground at Dewing Creek from May 2026.

        Read more

        Nice-Loo-Lab-1

        NiCE Loo Lab showcases sustainable solution

         

        A groundbreaking Australian innovation is making a splash this month, transforming urine into a safe and valuable fertiliser while helping to relieve environmental pressures. 

         

        South East Water is proud to support the NiCE Loo Lab, a revolutionary mobile public toilet developed in partnership with the Australian Research Council (ARC) Nutrients in a Circular Economy (NiCE) Hub, that converts flushed nutrients to fertilisers that can be used for agriculture. It features a refrigerator-sized, 200-litre membrane bioreactor system and is a world-first featuring urine diversion, collection, and treatment technology.

        Read more

        climate-resilience-plan-content-card-image-371x267-(1)

        Environmental Services Team Members, Leon Stackpole and Jane Bevelander, on location with an electric vehicle (EV) at a CHW solar array

        Central Highlands Water powering ahead with 100% renewable electricity

         

        Central Highlands Water (CHW) has announced a major step forward in its sustainability efforts by confirming it is using 100% renewable electricity.

         

        The milestone is consistent with the Victorian Government’s Statement of Obligations (Emissions Reduction) and demonstrates CHW’s commitment to sustainability and reducing emissions across the region.

         

        As part of its long-term Climate Resilience Plan (2024-2034), CHW has implemented a comprehensive energy efficiency program aimed at lowering carbon emissions and improving operational efficiency. Having now met the Victorian Government’s target for all water corporations to use 100% renewable energy by 2025, CHW will continue to work towards achieving the further goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2035.

          Read more

          YVW - Lilydale switch

            Lilydale households ready to switch from septic to sewerage

            Almost 200 households in Lilydale can now switch from septic tanks to piped sewerage, saving maintenance hassles and benefiting the environment, thanks to works completed by Yarra Valley Water.

             

            The project is part of the water corporation’s Community Sewerage Program, which provides households in Melbourne’s outer northern and eastern suburbs with the option to connect to a modern sewerage system, rather than relying on septic tanks.

              Read more

              Gippsland Water reaches 100% renewable electricity target

                Gippsland Water reaches 100% renewable electricity target 

                 

                Gippsland Water has achieved the target of being powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025. 

                 

                The organisation met the goal with a mix of solar, hydroelectric and biogas energy generation, as well as purchased green power.  

                 

                Managing director Sarah Cumming said the transition to renewable energy was a critical step for the organisation on its way to achieving net zero emissions by 2030.   

                “During the 2024-25 financial year, emissions resulting from our electricity consumption made up two-thirds of our total emissions,” Ms Cumming said.  

                 

                  Read more
                  IW-2022-600x150

                  Something Powerful

                  Call for Content

                  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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