eFlash #618 New
Date: 05-Feb-2025
In this edition: Latest benchmarking report released | Workforce snapshot survey | Supporting North Queensland in recovery efforts | Environmental opportunities forum | swimlocal training / workshop | Micro-credentials 2025 | WIOA WISE '25 QLD | Fire ant biosecurity zone changes
NEW / HOT TOPICS
Latest Queensland Urban Water and Sewerage Benchmarking Report released
Each year, qldwater compiles data from across the state to provide a comprehensive snapshot of how Queensland’s urban water and sewerage services are performing. The 2023/24 State Benchmarking Report is now available, offering valuable insights into:
- Investment in infrastructure
- Cost drivers and financial sustainability
- Customer service performance
- Asset condition and reliability
- Water security, supply and non-revenue water
This year's report captures data from 72 water service providers, covering everything from water main breaks to sewerage treatment costs. It’s an essential resource for councils, utilities, and decision-makers committed to delivering efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective water services.
Workforce Snapshot Report survey now open
The survey for the 8th biannual Urban Water Workforce Snapshot Report has been distributed to our members and we urge everyone to please provide your input to make this year’s report even more impactful.
This report is a cornerstone of our advocacy efforts, serving as the key reference for Government Departments to understand the urban water sector’s workforce and skills needs in Queensland.
This is your organisation’s chance to help us spotlight the workforce issues we need to tackle with Government and other stakeholders.
This year we’ve added a new tab to capture how team members divide their time across water, wastewater, and networks. Clear instructions are included to guide you.
We have scheduled a series of online support sessions to answer any questions about completing the survey, and the first two have been well attended. Dates, times and links to the remaining Teams meetings are listed below:
If you need help in the meantime, feel free to email us at skills@qldwater.com.au or call our team on (07) 3632 6850 - we’re here to assist!
Please submit your completed survey to skills@qldwater.com.au by 28 February 2025.
Thank you for helping us make this year’s Workforce Snapshot Report the best yet. Your input is invaluable.
Supporting North Queensland's Water Sector in Recovery Efforts
In response to the severe flooding caused by the North Queensland rain event, qldwater has joined forces with the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (LGWV) and key large water utilities to activate the Water Services Sector Group (WSSG) under the Mutual Aid Guidelines.
These guidelines provide a national framework for water service providers to request and offer assistance in times of emergency, ensuring communities can restore critical water and wastewater services as quickly as possible.
The approach for this event has been built on learnings from all partners from a MACC activation in response to last year’s Cyclone Jasper event.
Activation Update – 5 February 2025
A Mutual Aid Coordination Cell (MACC) has been established, led by Urban Utilities, with key members from LGWV, qldwater, LGAQ, Seqwater, Unitywater, and other Queensland Local Governments. The MACC will:
- Engage directly to support affected councils through their local disaster management groups
- Coordinate offers of support from the wider QLD water sector
- Ensure all assistance is deployed through the appropriate emergency channels
- Provide regular updates through Government and Local Government partners to disaster management groups and the State Disaster Management Committee on MACC support activities.
The MACC arrangements have already seen operators from Townsville City Council providing active support to Palm Island, Burdekin and Hinchinbrook to get water services back on-line.
Further support will be mobilised over the coming days as the impacts on water service providers in North Queensland become known.
This is great example of the community orientated and collegiate culture that is a hallmark of the Queensland water sector.
To our water sector colleagues: If your organisation can offer support or resources, please contact David Wiskar to pass details on to the MACC coordinators for an appropriate industry support response.
Environmental Opportunities Forum
Registrations for the Environmental Opportunities Forum in Gympie closes tomorrow, so grab your last-minute tickets while you can!
The Forum aims to bridge the gap between the environment and urban water sectors, fostering collaboration and innovation to achieve better outcomes for our communities and ecosystems.
📅 Date: 13 February 2025
📍 Location: The Pavilion, 77 Exhibition Road, Southside, Gympie
A huge thank you to Gympie Regional Council for hosting and supporting this important event!
Check out the excellent program and register here.
swimlocal training/workshop
qldwater is hosting a free 2-day swimlocal training and workshop on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 February at our Brisbane Office. Whether you're new to swimlocal or looking to refine your system, this is a great opportunity to get hands-on support.
Key Details:
- In-person training: Attend for as little or as long as you need.
- Online option: A one-hour webinar via TEAMS from 9:30–10:30 am on Thursday for remote participants.
- Tailored support: We can customise the training to suit your needs.
What we can help with:
- Setting up alerts and automating SWIM annual reporting
- Importing lab and SCADA data
- Adding new sites/indicators
- Creating reports and dashboards
- Any other swimlocal features you need assistance with
If you’d like to attend or need help optimising your swimlocal system, contact David at dscheltinga@qldwater.com.au.
We look forward to helping you get the most out of swimlocal!
Micro-Credentials 2025
There are still a few remaining spots available for the next delivery of micro-credential courses at the qldwater offices in Eagle Farm Brisbane. The face to face, non-accredited micro-credential courses aim to provide skills uplifts for the water sector across the state. Limited places available so get your registrations in asap!
| Date | Venue | Course | Cost for members |
| 1 April 2025 | Eagle Farm, Brisbane | Practical implications for Drinking Water Quality Management Plans | $410 |
| 2 April 2025 | Eagle Farm, Brisbane | Making use of water quality data | $410 |
| 3-4 April 2025 | Eagle Farm, Brisbane | Introduction to SCADA | $950 |
Register here.
Please email skills@qldwater.com.au for more information, including pricing for non-members.
Regional sessions will follow throughout the year – more details to come.
REMINDERS / OTHER NEWS
WIOA WISE ’25 QLD
The Water Industry Operations Association (WIOA) in conjunction with the team at MASS Products is hosting a Water Industry Safety Event (WISE) on Thursday, 13 March from 8.30am to 4.00pm at the Norwell Motorplex, Brisbane.
The day aims to drive leaders and pragmatic decision-makers in this field together and discuss some of the current issues we all face and how we can better plan together for the future, creating safer, more efficient outcomes for our operators.
Topics covered include:
- Driver Safety Training (by Norwell Motorplex)
- Working with Electricity
- Working with Pressurized Water
- Working at Heights & Confined Spaces
- Working Near and Around Aerated Water
- Mental Health in the Workplace
- Engineered vs. Administrative Controls
Don’t miss your chance to network, learn, and lead the change for safety in the water industry.
Fire ant biosecurity zones changes
The fire ant biosecurity zones have been updated to help minimise the risk of fire ants spreading through human-assisted movement. If you live or work near a fire ant detection and move materials that can carry and transport fire ants, these changes may affect you.
Full or partial suburbs have been expanded or added to zone 1 and 2 to reflect recent fire ant detections in the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Somerset, Brisbane, and Gold Coast local government areas.
Anyone handling materials that can carry fire ants within these zones must meet their general biosecurity obligation (GBO) by:
- checking the fire ant biosecurity zones before moving materials off-site
- using fire ant-safe practices when handling, storing, and moving materials.
There is now a new GBO guideline for businesses.
New GBO guideline for businesses
This GBO guideline, made under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), is for businesses that deal with materials that can carry fire ants. It explains what steps you should take to meet your GBO to reduce the risk of spreading fire ants.
Eradication is only possible if all levels of government, industry and the community work together.
Visit the National Fire Ant Eradication Program website and subscribe to their newsletter for regular updates.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 13 Feb - Environmental Opportunities Forum, Gympie
- 19 Feb - AWA QLD Industry Breakfast, Victoria Park, Brisbane
- 26 Mar - Research and Education Tour and Drinks Reception, QUT
- 27 Mar - Annual Water Skills Forum, Parliament House
- 12-15 May - Water Connections Tour
- 20-21 Aug - Annual Forum, qldwater offices, Eagle Farm. Brisbane
- 10-12 Sep - WSAA Wastewater Source Management Network Meeting, qldwater offices, Eagle Farm