eFlash #625

eFlash #625 New

Date: 26-May-2025

New / Hot Topics

Water Connections Tour 2025

From 12 to 15 May, qldwater led a four-day Water Connections Tour across South West Queensland to provide critical insights into the delivery of urban water and wastewater services in some of the state's most remote communities.

The tour brought together State Government officials from the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Drinking Water Regulator, Queensland Health, Council leaders from Toowoomba Regional Council, Goondiwindi Regional Council, Maranoa Regional Council, Balonne Shire Council and technical experts to:

Gain firsthand experience of the infrastructure challenges facing regional communities
Build trust and collaboration between stakeholders
Discuss compliance and investment needs in the face of ageing and failing assets

From dam safety upgrades in Toowoomba, to bore failures and sewerage system risks in the South West QWRAP region, the tour explored real infrastructure, met with local leadership and operational personnel.

Thanks to Toowoomba Regional Council, Goondiwindi Regional Council, Balonne Shire Council and Marano Regional Council and partners for their support and leadership in driving this vital conversation.

Utility Damage Prevention and Awareness Session

qldwater is hosting a general awareness and education session in partnership with Before You Dig Australia (BYDA). Join us to understand the role of BYDA, safe excavation practices, complying with asset-owner instructions, and the consequences of damages. Learn how to mitigate and avoid potential damage and harm and ensure a safe work environment.

The presentation will include:

About Before You Dig Australia (BYDA)
How and why damage occurs
What you can do to stay safe and avoid damages
The importance of safe excavation
The 5P’s of Safe Excavation
Safe work practices
Legislative and Duty of Care requirements
How the BYDA referral service works
How to lodge a free BYDA enquiry
Australian Standard 5488 - Classification of Subsurface Utility Information
Skilled Locators – who they are, their role & how to find one

Regulatory Update – PFAS Scheduling under IChEMS

From 1 July 2025, new restrictions will apply to the use of PFAS chemicals (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS) under the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS). These chemicals have been listed in Schedule 7, which includes the highest-risk substances requiring phase-out of industrial use, except in specific, limited circumstances.

Key obligations for businesses include:

Ceasing use of PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS (including in mixtures or articles), unless exempted.
Notifying authorities about the nature and size of any existing stockpiles.
Storing and managing stockpiles as waste, ensuring environmental risks are minimised.
Avoiding recovery, recycling, or reuse of these chemicals as neat substances.
Complying with IChEMS minimum standards and the General Environmental Duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

The IChEMS Online Register provides full details of prohibited uses and risk management requirements.

For more information, contact: pollution.hotline@detsi.qld.gov.au

Stormwater Queensland Event

Stormwater Queensland is hosting the Bold, Bolder & Achievable Goals for Stormwater – an inspiring evening of big ideas, industry insights, and fun!

Hear from keynote speaker Ben Longstaff (Healthy Land & Water), plus bold stormwater insights from Tony McAlister (Water Technology), and emerging leaders Tina Wang and Meena Surendran.

The event will take place from 6pm–9pm (AEST) on Thursday 29 May 2025 at Victoria Park, Herston.

More information and register here.

WIOA QLD Interest Day

WIOA is hosting an interest day on 3 June 2025 in Capalaba with presentations from Seqwater on Leslie Harrison Dam, including in-depth insights into the operations and processes, the key commissioning learnings, as well as a site tour of Capalaba Water Treatment Plant.

Sustainable Pumping Master Class

Join Rob Welke, aka the Pump Whisperer, for his final Brisbane training course before he retires. The training will be delivered at IBIS Styles Hotel on Elizabeth Street on 16 – 17 July. The cost is $1,350 + GST.

qldwater members get a 10% discount – use code WP10OFF in the RSVP Link.

Temporary & Permanent Plumber Positions Available - Cairns

Cairns Regional Councils is hiring qualified plumbers who are ready to contribute to the future of water services across the Carins region (Stratford and Gordonvale). Enjoy genuine work-life balance, work alongside experienced and supportive colleagues, and take pride in the essential services you help deliver every day. This isn’t just a job — it’s a secure, long-term opportunity with a strong total employment package and excellent lifestyle benefits

This is an open-ended advertisement and may remain active for 6 to 12 months. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Roles include:

Water Reticulation Plumbers: Play a vital role in maintaining and improving the water network, working closely with experienced Team Leaders to install, repair, and upgrade essential infrastructure that keeps Cairns running smoothly. (Permanent & Temporary roles available)
Smart Water Meter Plumbers: Help roll out advanced smart meters to homes and businesses, empowering residents to detect leaks early, reduce water waste, and better manage their usage. (Temporary roles)

For more information, please contact the recruitment team on (07) 4044 3310 or jobs@cairns.qld.gov.au.

To apply please visit the Employment at Council website.

Job Opportunity – Operator (Treatment), Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Cassowary Coast Regional Council is hiring a full-time Operator (Treatment) to join their Water Team in Tully. This hands-on role supports the safe and efficient treatment of water and wastewater and includes on-the-job training toward a Cert III in Water Industry Operations.

Highlights include a fortnightly RDO, 5 weeks annual leave, 3 weeks personal leave and more.

Applicants must have outdoor labouring or construction/maintenance experience, basic plant/materials knowledge in the water/wastewater industry, a QLD Class C Driver’s Licence and be physically fit for tropical conditions.

Apply by: 7:30pm, Monday 26 May 2025 via the Cassowary Coast Regional Council website

Contact the People & Safety team on (07) 4030 2216 or email recruitment@ccrc.qld.gov.au for more information.

CURRENT CONSULTATIONS

Have your say on the GABORA Water Plan

The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers is inviting feedback on the Water Plan (Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers) 2017 which is due to expire in September 2027.

The review aims to ensure that the region’s diverse long-term water needs can be best met and managed into the future. The new water plan will be based on the best available science including new hydrogeological, socioeconomic environmental and cultural assessments and underpinned by community and stakeholder feedback.

An overview of issues that will be considered is provided in the preliminary public consultation notice.

An extended submission period closes on 30 August 2025. Email GABORAwaterplan@rdmw.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 4529 1310 during business hours for more information.

Review of Basin Plan Water Quality Targets Underway

As part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) review, the MDB Authority has commenced an assessment of Chapter 9, specifically the targets relating to raw water for treatment for human consumption (s9.05). Dr Dan Deere (Water Futures) has been appointed to lead the assessment, with findings expected by August 2025. The review responds to key utility concerns about the need for future raw water quality targets to support long-term planning and reduce public health risk.

The project includes stakeholder engagement across jurisdictions and water service providers, with a multilateral workshop planned for July 2025. Outputs will inform the broader 2026 Basin Plan review and aim to develop SMART targets where feasible.

For more information or to express interest, contact Lynne Powell at lynne.powell@mdba.gov.au.