eFlash #632

eFlash #632 New

Date: 15-Aug-2025

New / Hot Topics

Upcoming Events

Next week will be a jam-packed week for the qldwater team with a QWRAP Chairs & Coordinators Forum on Tuesday, the Annual Forum and Awards Dinner on Wednesday, technical tours on Thursday and finishing up with a Strategic Priorities Group meeting on Friday. We look forward to connecting with many of our members and expanding our networks and knowledge.

Apologies to those who missed out on tickets to the Annual Forum – we will select a bigger venue next year!

A huge thank you to our event sponsors AECOM, Arup, McCullough Robertson, TRILITY, TracWater, Colliers, Simmonds & Bristow Pty Ltd and GBA Consulting Engineers.

It’s Taste Test Time, Queensland!

The countdown is on for the 2025 TracWater Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test – our annual celebration of the finest tap water in the Sunshine State!

The taste test will take place on Wednesday, 20 August at Waters Edge, Brisbane as part of the qldwater Annual Forum Awards Dinner.

This is your chance to showcase the incredible work your team does every day to deliver high-quality drinking water to your community. All qldwater members are invited to enter – download and complete the entry form and submit it to enquiry@qldwater.com.au.

Last year’s co-winner, Isaac Regional Council, made waves last week by winning the first-ever Trans-Tasman taste test with their Glenden Water Treatment Plant sample – a proud moment for Queensland and a testament to the skill and dedication of our operators. Special shoutout to the Glenden team for their outstanding contribution – proof that great water starts with great people.

Has your council selected its top drop yet? Time is running out – get your entries in and let’s find out who will take home the title of Queensland’s best-tasting tap water in 2025!

New NGER Amendment Brings Biosolids-to-Biochar into National Reporting Scheme

The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has confirmed that the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Measurement Amendment (2025 Update) Determination will come into effect from 1 July 2025, applying to reports due by 31 October 2026 for the 2025-26 reporting year. Crucially, the amendments introduce updated wastewater reporting methods that enable organisations to account for biosolids diverted to biochar production as a recognised emissions reduction pathway.

qldwater and our partners at WSAA and the Australia New Zealand Biochar Industry Group (ANZBIG) strongly welcome these amendments which will allow service providers to officially account for tonnes of biosolids transferred to biochar production, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) in sludge diverted, and associated emissions reductions. This will

Elevate biochar’s commercial and environmental credibility.
Enable water corporations, councils, and technology providers to meet regulatory requirements with confidence, and
Open pathways for integration with ACCU carbon credit methodologies

Read the full announcement here.

Release of Non-Transport Utility Management and Design Manual

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) have released the Non-Transport Utility Management and Design Manual for State-Controlled Road Corridors. It complements existing non-transport utility design standards by establishing consistent, utility-specific minimum design requirements. These standards aim to balance departmental needs with those of non-transport utilities, ensuring a coordinated and effective approach across our road network.

This new manual supersedes Technical Note 163 (TN163) – Third Party Utility Infrastructure Installation in State-Controlled Roads Technical Guidelines. Please note the following regarding its application:

Existing Projects and Applications: Projects and third-party utility applications initiated under TN163 are not required to transition to the new manual. However, referencing the new standards is encouraged as a best practice where feasible.
New Projects and Applications: From the date of publication, all new projects and third-party utility applications must comply with the new manual.

The Department has indicated that it will continue to review and refine standards and manuals in a similar way to existing technical release procedures.

qldwater would like to acknowledge the hard work of the SEQ Code Group, which administers the design and construction codes for the five water utilities in SEQ. The group members have collectively spent many hours collating and providing feedback on the draft manual to TMR.

WIOA Queensland Conference

The annual Water Industry Operations Association (WIOA) QLD conference and exhibition will take place on 29 - 30 October this year at the Bundaberg Multiplex Sports & Convention Centre.

The event includes delegate access to the presentation room, exhibitor showcases, industry competitions, networking dinners and the award ceremony. Opportunities are also available to present papers or posters, as well as nominate your colleagues for prestigious national and state awards, compete in signature events like the Reece Civil + Viadux Main Tapping Competition and the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water contest.

Free visitor entry is available for those wishing to explore the exhibition hall only. Further updates to the program will be announced soon.

WIOA members receive discounts to register. Click here for more information

Water Research Australia Webinars

WaterRA has a series of upcoming webinars on a wide range of topics including:

Sensor materials for real-time microbial pathogen detection
Mitigating the risks of microplastics
Understanding occurrence, sources and fate of PFAS in wastewater catchments across Australia and NZ
Public health impacts from climate-driven changes in water chemistry
Leveraging the R&D Tax Incentive in the water industry.

WaterAid Walk for Water

The annual WaterAid Walk for Water will run (or walk / ride) from 6 to 10 October. The event aims to raise funds for WaterAid to help communities gain access to clean water.

CURRENT CONSULTATIONS

Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice

Safe Work Australia has opened public consultation on the recently released draft model Code of Practice (COP) for Managing the risks of biological hazards at work. Public consultation is now open until 11:59pm (AEST) on Thursday 4 September 2025.

If you would like a direct say on the draft model COP, or would like more information on the consultation process and the draft model COP, please visit the Safe Work Australia Consultation Hub.

The draft model COP:

Provides practical guidance for employers on how to manage the risks of biological hazards at work.
Is broad in nature and is intended to apply to all workplaces covered by Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws where there is a risk to workers or others of exposure to one or more biological hazards.

Safe Work Australia will use the feedback received in the public consultation process to revise the draft model COP for the consideration of Safe Work Australia Members. If agreed, the draft model COP will then be provided to Commonwealth, State, and Territory WHS ministers for approval.

Please note, the proposed COP does not become an approved code of practice in Queensland until it is approved by the Queensland Minister. This process is separate to the development and approval of the model COP.

Enquires about the consultation for the draft model Code can be directed to occhygiene@swa.gov.au.

New Blueprint for Agriculture

This week saw the release of the finalised 25-year blueprint, Primary Industries Prosper 2050, to shape a thriving sector for Queensland.

The blueprint provides priorities that we know we need to get right for the sector to grow and be sustainable:

market growth and value-adding
a skilled and agile workforce
accelerated innovation, readiness and adoption
ease of business (coordinated and harmonised regulation and systems)
coexistence and community support
shared infrastructure.

By addressing these priorities with local and statewide solutions we will be on track to achieve our big goal of increasing primary production output to $30 billion by 2030.

The co-design of the first set of 5-year action plans to support the implementation of Prosper 2050 is already underway. The Regional Industry and Government Working Groups have now been stood up with industry and government representatives for the north, central and south regions, and also a statewide Industry Working Group to support the drafting of regional action plans.

CURRENT VACANCIES

Cairns Regional Council

Ganger (Leading Hand) - Wastewater Services

Support a small crew in the delivery of safe, efficient, and customer-focused maintenance of Council’s sewer reticulation network, playing a hands-on role in daily operations while responding to customer enquiries and ensuring assets are maintained to a high standard. You'll also provide valuable input to the Team Leader on any repairs or improvements needed across the network.

No prior wastewater industry experience required - if you have transferable skills from construction or related fields, Council will provide wastewater-specific training to the right candidate.

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. Applications Close Sunday, 24 August 2025

Gympie Regional Council

Gympie Regional Council’s water team is looking for a Specialist Water Industry Operations to help operate and maintain their water, sewage and recycled water schemes. This is a varied, hands-on role, ideal for someone with experience in water and/or sewerage treatment plant operations who wants to make a real impact in this growing region. Benefits include a nine-day fortnight, wellness programs, Fitness Passport & more.

If you’re passionate about delivering essential water services and want to join a supportive and skilled team, apply here.

Applications close Sunday 17 August 2025.