Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update - December 2025
Incorporating IWN
As we approach the end of 2025, reflections are in order. For me, there were three issues that defined the year.
It seemed like everywhere I went this year, people wanted to talk about data centres! Both state and federal governments have recently announced their intention to position Victoria/Australia as a data centre hub for the Asia-Pacific region. Water corporations have been working with data centre providers to understand their water usage requirements and different approaches to cooling, and the opportunities for using alternative or recycled water to minimise impacts on customers and the environment.
Earlier this year, as many parts of the state were experiencing dry and drought conditions, the Premier established a drought taskforce and there was a renewed focus on water security. In October, the Minister for Water released the Water Security Plan for Greater Melbourne, Geelong and connected towns. This plan is notable for including purified recycled water (PRW) in the mix of options under consideration, and has already attracted a lot of commercial interest from companies with PRW experience in other parts of the world.
On 13 November, Victoria’s historic Treaty with First Nations was signed into law. For the water sector, this will mean recognising Traditional Owners as rights holders, not just stakeholders, and adapting governance structures to incorporate self-determination principles and shared decision-making.
No doubt these three issues will continue to command our attention next year – along with all the other challenges and opportunities the water sector is facing, it looks like 2026 is going to be another busy and exciting year!
I’ll close my last Word for 2025 with some important acknowledgments and thanks: to all the people in our member organisations who have contributed their expertise, energy and passion across our various projects and activities; to our many sponsors and partners who helped us deliver our key events and programs; to the VicWater Board for their guidance and support; and last, but not least, to the VicWater team – Jason Cotton, Stuart Craven, Tara Daniel, Isobel Decru, Linna Fang and Lauren Vines – for bringing their A game each and every day.
Wishing you all a safe and joyful festive season, and I look forward to continuing to be ‘better together’ in 2026.
The SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) Board held its first, unofficial meeting on 14 November. The topics for discussion included:
An overview of the Offsets Program to date, including the ministerial approval process
The SPV Members’ Agreement and Constitution
The actions required to establish the SPV as a company
Other activities that have occurred in the last month include the appointment of Aurecon to develop the Tranche 1 business case and the Program Framework, and the provision of feedback on the Members’ Agreement and Constitution to Allens so that those documents can be finalised.
I can’t believe that we are now in December and like many others I feel like 2025 has been a busy year that has completely flown, full of enjoyable challenges and achievements. I felt for the final program update for the year I would take a moment to reflect on what I’m most proud of from this past year and share what I’m most excited about as we head into 2026.
Proudest moment – I have to call out the Insight: Executive Women in Water program graduation. The vibe leading into this was definitiely mixed from “we are completely prepared” to “what is the worst that can happen”. But the resulting graduation was a reflection of a truly incredible leadership program.
Hi everyone, it’s hard to believe that this is the last IWN Update for 2025 – where did the year go? At this time every year, I take the opportunity to sit amongst nature and reflect on the year that was and look forward to the year that will be.
2025 was certainly an amazing year at IWN. Here are a few highlights that come to mind:
We successfully completed many transformational trials – Super Critical UV, Pressure Transients, Lily, Samotics, EncapsulateAC, Nanobubbles, Dig Metering Business Case, Hydraloop, Pyrolysis Mk2 just to name a few of our portfolio of now 50+ Active projects!
We commenced Victoria’s first Advanced Greywater Recycling trials in residential and commercial settings with 8 Hydraloop units – we are grateful to the IWN member who volunteered their home for one of the units, and to the incredible project team.
Maddocks, in partnership with VicWater are pleased to invite Victorian Water Corporations to a complimentary webinar on Flood & Stormwater: Risk Management & Mitigation
Flood and stormwater risks are intensifying across Australia. From climate-driven rainfall extremes and rising sea levels to ageing infrastructure and evolving community expectations, water corporations are navigating increasingly complex and interconnected challenges.
VicWater, in partnership with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Vic Catchments will host the 2026 Director Development Forum, which has been designed to match the needs of both our newly appointed board members as well as our more experienced leadership cohort.
This event will provide the opportunity to network, participate in peer-to-peer learning and gain insights into current and emerging issues and deep dive into areas relevant to public entity directors.
The Forum consists of one full day program with an optional networking dinner.
A Seminar on Economic and Financial Regulation will also be held as an optional side event to the Director Development Forum, designed for both newly appointed and existing board members of water corporations and will provide a 101 session on economic and financial regulation in the water sector.
When: Thursday 19 March 2026
Where: VicWater Office, Level 4, 99 William St, Melbourne
The 2026 Annual Conference will take place Tuesday 8 - Thursday 10 September at RACV City Club, Melbourne.
Vision Super - Sponsored Content
Women and super: understanding the gender gap
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Breaking barriers to employment for Afghan Hazara women
Afghan Hazara women in Melbourne's south-east will have new pathways to employment and community connection thanks to a grassroots culinary initiative supported by South East Water.
Casey-based Australian Afghanistan Initiative provides support to people experiencing disadvantage in Australia and overseas, particularly Afghanistan.
This includes engaging with young people, providing funds for education, creating partnerships with educational organisations and providing humanitarian assistance.
New partnership helps secure water future in the Central Highlands
The future operation of six significant Central Highlands Water (CHW) water treatment plants has been finalised, with Veolia announced as the successful strategic partner to deliver these critically important operations and maintenance services for our customers and community.
The major 15-year contract, the result of comprehensive planning and a competitive tendering process over the past 24 months, will see industry specialist, Veolia, work with CHW to support the community’s water needs across the White Swan, Lal Lal, Blackwood, Beaufort, Clunes and Forest Hill plants, known as Water6.
Veolia brings a wealth of operations and maintenance knowledge at a local, national and international level, to deliver essential water services to customers.
Water leak detection program improves reliability across Baw Baw
Gippsland Water has completed a proactive water leak detection program across the Baw Baw region, identifying and repairing hidden leaks to improve service reliability and reduce water loss.
Between January and July this year, 425 kilometres of mains were surveyed in Warragul, Drouin, Buln Buln, Nilma, Darnum, Jindivick and Rokeby. The program uncovered 99 network leaks and 29 customer-side leaks.
Managing director Sarah Cumming said the program was part of Gippsland Water’s broader efforts to improve efficiency and reduce water losses.
“By identifying and repairing these leaks, we’ve reduced the amount of water lost and improved the reliability of our services,” Ms Cumming said.
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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