eFlash #642

eFlash #642 New

Date: 21-Jan-2026

In this edition: Essentials Webinar: Human-centred system design | Environment Forum 2026 | Water Skills Forum 2026 Sponsorships | Lead free products installation extension | Be aware of melioidosis risk in flooded rural areas | Australia's circular economy: unlocking opportunities | Australian Water School expert webinars | AWA national technical event | Consultation on draft Australian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines | Inquiry into local government funding and fiscal sustainability | Regulated retail electricity prices and feed-in tariffs in regional Queensland | MNES & environmental offsets standard policy papers

Essentials Webinar: Human-Centred System Design

A reminder of our first webinar for 2026 at 10am on Thursday, 12 February where Ciara Sterling, CEO of Thriving Communities Australia (TCA) will explain how water systems can cause unintentional harm or be deliberately weaponised through billing, debt, privacy breaches and account controls, and how more preventative, human-centred system design can strengthen safety, trust and customer outcomes.

More info and register here.

Environment Forum

We’re pleased to confirm that Payton Te Nagio, Senior Research Assistant – Reef Catchments Science Partnership at the University of Queensland, will be presenting at the upcoming Environment Forum on 26 February 2026 at Redlands IndigiScapes Centre, Capalaba.

Payton will present a review of existing water quality offsetting and trading policies and schemes, providing a high-level overview of how these approaches are currently being applied and what lessons are emerging across the sector.

Her presentation will help set the scene for broader conversations around offsets and outcomes, and how evidence-based research can support meaningful environmental value through water services.

If you’re interested in water quality, offsets, and the policy and research landscape shaping future decision-making, this is a session not to miss.

Secure your ticket today.

Water Skills Forum 2026

We only have two sponsorship opportunities available for the Water Skills Forum on Thursday, 19 March, which includethe pre-forum drinks on 18 March at Blackbird Brisbane.

This year's theme, Training Today, Sustaining Tomorrow, reflects the momentum gathering across councils, RTOs, regulators and industry to strengthen the training pipeline. From expanding unit availability in the NWP and civil packages, to developing new micro-credentials and revising qualifications to better match operational reality, the sector is aligning behind a shared goal: ensuring water operators have the skills and recognition to safely and effectively deliver essential services to all Queensland communities.

Partnering with the qldwater Annual Skills Forum is far more than a branding opportunity - it is a chance to directly contribute to strengthening Queensland's water workforce at a time when investment in skills and training has never been more important.

Thanks to the confirmed sponsors Simmonds & Bristow (coffee cart sponsor), TRILITY (speakers gifts) and Engenera (breaks sponsor), , there are only a couple of sponsorship opportunities still available – please contact Georgina Davis for more information.

Download the Sponsorship Prospectus

Lead Free Products – Installation Extension to 1 May 2028

Due to supply chain challenges and industry stock levels, the Australian Building and Construction Board (ABCB) has extended the deadline for the installation of products in drinking water applications that do not meet Lead-Free WaterMark requirements to 1 May 2028.

Watermark licences for non‑lead‑free products not recertified as compliant will be suspended after 1 May 2026.

For WSPs that install/replace meters, this means that you have an additional two years to run down your stock and ensure that all future stock is compliant with the Lead-Free WaterMark requirements.

The good news follows qldwater’s letter to the ABCB regarding the impacts to Queensland's urban water service providers from amendments to the National Construction Code and requesting an extension for Queensland water service providers to provide sufficient time to install existing inventory and for suppliers to source compliant stock.

Be aware of melioidosis risk in flooded rural areas

Recent monsoonal weather in Queensland has increased the risk of melioidosis, a serious tropical disease caused by bacteria found in wet soil, mud, and surface water.

After heavy rain and flooding, the bacteria that cause melioidosis can spread more easily. This means our water operators and others working in wet or flood‑affected areas need to take extra care.

Most healthy adults do not usually get sick from melioidosis. However, people with certain health issues like diabetes, lung or kidney disease, cancer, older age, heavy alcohol use, or conditions or treatments that weaken the immune system — have a higher chance of infection. Workers with these health risks should talk with their manager and a health professional about extra precautions.

Anyone who feels unwell after working in floodwater, wet soil, muddy yards, or while handling dead livestock should tell their doctor about the type of work they have been doing.

Here is what you can to protect workers and yourself:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking.
Use hand sanitiser (at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not immediately available.
Check your skin before starting work and cover all cuts, scratches and broken skin with a clean, dry dressing.
If you sustain a wound during flood clean-up, clean and cover it immediately.
If muddy water or contaminated material splashes onto your skin or into your eyes, nose or mouth, wash the area thoroughly.
Shower and change into clean clothes after finishing work.

For our member organisations (PCBUs), you should:

Ensure workers have access to adequate handwashing facilities, including clean running water, soap and paper towels or an air dryer.
Provide portable handwashing facilities with clear handwashing signage.
Ensure first aid facilities, clean eating areas and safe drinking water are available for all workers, including contractors.
Include melioidosis awareness in post-flood safety briefings, toolbox talks and livestock disposal planning.

Read more on Melioidosis here or visit the Queensland Health website.

Australia’s circular economy: unlocking the opportunities

The Productivity Commission’s final report into Australia’s circular economy: unlocking the opportunities has been released. The report does refer to the opportunities from biosolids manufacture and beneficial use, as well as opportunities for biochar.

The final report is available here.

You can read our submission and submissions by our members at View submissions and brief comments - Opportunities in the circular economy | Productivity Commission

Australian Water School Expert Webinars

The Australian Water School (AWS) is hosting a line‑up of webinars in February, designed to build capability across fast‑evolving areas of the water sector. Each session is led by practitioners who bring deep expertise, real‑world examples and clear guidance you can apply directly in your work.

Whether you’re tackling the complexities of PFAS movement with insights supported by Ocean Protect, exploring integrated catchment management through the One Basin CRC, strengthening your modelling practice with TUFLOW diagnostics, or building geospatial capability in QGIS 4, these webinars provide accessible, high‑value learning for professionals at all levels.

Explore the upcoming webinars here.

AWA National Technical Event

The AWA Newcastle Sub Committee presents: Keeping the Tap Flowing — Making Water Affordable for All - an important conversation on water affordability amid growing and unprecedented pressures across the sector. With construction costs rising, inflation and supply chain constraints continuing, and increasing regulatory requirements, utilities are being called on to invest significantly in essential infrastructure, while ensuring water remains affordable during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

How do we strike the right balance between financially sustainable investment and fair, accessible water services? What innovative approaches can support long-term resilience and sustainability without placing additional burden on households?

This event will bring together industry leaders, contractors, utilities, policymakers, and technical experts to explore practical strategies for managing rising costs while safeguarding equitable access to water services for all Australians.

Event date: Wednesday, 18 February 5.00 to 6.30pm QLD time

CURRENT CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on draft Australian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is inviting stakeholder feedback on the draft Australian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines. These draft guidelines will replace the current Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (2008) and Guidance on Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Recreational Water (2019) when they are finalised and published following public consultation. The Guidelines have been renamed to better reflect the scope of the guidance.

Details of the guidelines and supporting documents can be found on the NHMRC consultation page.

The draft Guidelines are intended to form part of the National Water Quality Management Strategy, an Australian Government initiative in partnership with state and territory governments. The Guidelines contain information and guidance on health risks associated with recreational and cultural use of water bodies, including risks from exposure to:

microbial pathogens from faecal and non-faecal sources
other harmful organisms that may be present in water, including Naegleria fowleri
harmful algal and cyanobacterial blooms
chemical and radiological hazards.

Local councils will be impacted by changes to the guidelines through their responsibilities for one (or all) of the following:

Public recreation on drinking water dams.
Council owned swimming pools.
Public beaches.

Over the coming weeks, qldwater will be reviewing the draft Guidelines for impacts to WSPs and councils and will be making a submission. If you are keen to share your thoughts, please contact Georgina Davis. The consultation closes on Friday 27 February 2026.

Inquiry into local government funding and fiscal sustainability

The Australian Federal Government's House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport is undertaking a new inquiry into the funding and financial sustainability of local governments.

This inquiry matters because it will influence how Federal funding is structured, whether renewal and resilience are prioritised, and how workforce and capability issues are addressed.

qldwater's core messages

Funding must support whole-of-life asset management, not just new projects.
Asset management plans aligned with long-term financial plans are essential.
Skills and worker shortages are now a major barrier to infrastructure delivery.

qldwater encourages councils and members to lodge short submissions that:

describe how current funding settings affect urban water asset renewal and service delivery,
highlight workforce and skills challenges,
support stronger links between funding, planning and long-term affordability.

Submissions close Tuesday 3 February 2026 via the Parliamentary website.

Aligned member submissions will significantly strengthen our case for reform and increase the likelihood of a Committee hearing.

Regulated retail electricity prices and feed-in tariffs in regional Queensland 2026-27

The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) invite stakeholders to provide comments on a review of regulated retail electricity prices (notified prices) to apply in regional Queensland in 2026-27. The QCA have published an interim consultation paper (ICP), which provides information on key issues relevant to setting notified prices.

More info here ormake your submission here.

Following a direction from the Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership, the QCA have also commenced a review to set the feed-in tariff for small-scale solar PV owners in regional Queensland for 2026-27. They expect to publish a draft determination in March 2026.

More info here.

MNES & Environmental Offsets Standard Policy Papers

qldwater is preparing a submission in relation to the Draft National Environmental Standards for Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and for Environmental Offsets. The Australian Government’s Environment Protection Reform Bills were passed by the Australian Parliament on Friday, 28 November 2025. These reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) were based on the recommendations of the 2020 Independent Review of the EPBC Act (the Samuel Review).

As part of these regulations, the Australian Government (DCCEEW) have developed draft National Environmental Standards for: