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eFlash #651

eFlash #651 New

eFlash #651
Date: 01-Apr-2026

In this edition: ISJA Vacancy | Disinfection by-products: A fresh look at an old problem | Nature-Based Solutions Bus Tour and Networking Drinks | Drinking Water Regulation Workshops | WIOA QLD Conference | New IChEMS scheduling decisions for PFAS

qldwater is looking for a ISJA Project Manager

The Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024–2028 (skills strategy) is the Queensland Government’s plan to ensure Queensland has the skilled workers it needs to fill jobs now and in the future. The skills strategy will drive the annual investment in skills of $1.5 billion and doubles as a roadmap to deliver on the landmark National Skills Agreement (NSA) to work with the Australian Government to deliver up to $2.54 billion of national reforms over the next five years to improve access to quality training and address critical skills needs.

The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor (ISJA) – Water, performs a critical industry advocacy role engaging with employers, small business and industry stakeholders to provide the department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) with high quality, evidence- based industry advice (including data and intelligence) about the industry and labour market landscape including issues and challenges, current and emerging industry direction, skills needs and training solutions, jobs growth and employment opportunities to:

  • inform and align Queensland Government training and skills priorities and decision making, including program design and investment settings, identifying emerging workforce needs at a regional level against the current and emerging employment, skills and training needs of industry;
  • support and connect DTET engagement and strategic priorities including the work of DTET Regional Offices, Regional Jobs Committees, Jobs Queensland and Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs);
  • support DTET’s ongoing agenda for quality training and skills development to foster a better understanding of the training, workforce and employment challenges and opportunities for industry, as well as support implementation of the Skills Assure Supplier (SAS) system through supporting application, complaints management and audit and performance review processes;
  • inform and engage industry to make a strong Queensland contribution to the national VET reform agenda, national, state and local consultation activities, workforce development initiatives and JSC training product and workforce projects; and
  • support employer, small business and industry stakeholder connection and engagement with VET pathways and DTET programs, initiatives, and events.

ISJAs are supported by a governance structure in the form of an independent Industry Reference Group (IRG) network, established by the ISJA Project Manager to provide a central coordination point of collation, interrogation and validation of industry intelligence which forms the evidence-base of ISJA advice to the DTET.

Key skills and experience

The ISJA Project Manager will be responsible for all levels of project management, coordination and facilitation and will need to be confident working autonomously. As the ISJA Project Manager, you will require:

  • strong communication and soft skills used to build relationships, overcome diversity, and influence change, as well as identify and facilitate cooperation amongst stakeholders;
  • strong project management skills to identify strategic goals and work autonomously to both develop and implement annual work plans;
  • strong understanding of the VET sector including the DTET’s investment in VET, programs and initiatives and key state and national stakeholders;

To have a confidential chat about the role, please call Georgina on 0450 296 240

Apply here.

Disinfection by products: A fresh look at an old problem

Join us at 10am on Thursday, 16 April for a webinar exploring a research program being led by Professor Fred Leusch on whether common DBP mitigation strategies may unintentionally increase toxicity.

Safe drinking water depends on effective disinfection, yet disinfectants such as chlorine can react with naturally occurring compounds in water to form disinfection by-products (DBPs), some of which are toxic. 

By combining advanced chemical analysis with innovative bioassay testing, the project evaluates both DBP formation and their overall toxic effects. Working with Australian water utilities, the research identifies treatment approaches that minimise DBP toxicity while maintaining effective pathogen control. The outcomes will provide practical guidance to help utilities optimise treatment processes and support the continued delivery of safe drinking water to communities.

Register here

Nature-Based Solutions Bus Tour and Networking Drinks

Stormwater Queensland and the Queensland Water Directorate will be hosting a Nature-Based Solutions Bus Tour on Thursday 7 May 2026.

The tour will include site visits to the two most iconic offsets-related nature-based solutions projects completed in Queensland in 2026 including:

  • The Urban Utilities Cannery Creek sewer upgrade project which included sediment basins, fish screens, a wet weather pump station, screening chamber, over two kilometres of new underground pipelines, riparian restoration, a constructed wetland and two bioretention basins. 
  • Redland Bay Regional Council’s Shoreline Mangrove Offset Project (SMOP) delivered in partnership with Stockland which includes the construction of the Southern Redland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant and offsetting nutrient loads from this plant via a recently completed 9.8-hectare mangrove wetland. The system works with natural tidal flows supporting water quality, biodiversity, and long-term shoreline resilience. This part of the tour will focus on the mangrove wetland rather than the treatment plant. 

Presentations will include discussions about community engagement, design, approvals, construction, operation, establishment, maintenance and monitoring.

These projects have direct relevance to stormwater and wastewater practitioners alike with directly transferrable approaches adopted by these projects to both water streams. They exemplify the practical application of Total Water Cycle Management principles and while they may be a first of their kind nationally, the lessons to be shared can be applied broadly to many different types of projects.

Places are strictly limited and expected to fill quickly.

More info and register here. 

OTHER NEWS

Drinking Water Regulation Workshops

The Drinking Water Regulation team have added Townsville as a new venue to their Water Supply Regulation workshops program.

Key dates for upcoming Water Supply Regulation Workshops include:

  • Tuesday, 21 April 2026 – Cairns
  • Tuesday, 25 August 2026 – Brisbane (save the date)
  • September 2026 (date to be confirmed) – South West Queensland
  • 13 October 2026 - Townsville

Keep an eye out for future eAlerts for updates and registration information.

In their latest eAlert, the Department  sincerely thanked all councils for their hard work and dedication during Tropical Cyclone Narelle and throughout this disaster season. “Your efforts in maintaining essential services, supporting your communities, and collaborating with the State have been critical during this challenging time. We recognise the significant time and energy required to respond to such events, and we appreciate the professionalism and resilience shown by council teams across Queensland. As we move forward, now is an important time to reflect on the event itself and we encourage all councils to take the opportunity to debrief and review processes. This will help strengthen future responses.”

WIOA QLD Conference and Open Days 

qldwater CEO Georgina Davis will be a panellist for the WIOA QLD Interest Day in Gympie on Thursday, 23 April.

More info and register here. 

WIOA are gearing up for the 2026 Queensland Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition, heading to the Gold Coast for two full days on 24 – 25 June 2026.

The event offers attendees to connect with peers, broaden their knowledge, and recognise outstanding achievements across the operationally focused water industry.

Participants are encouraged to get involved in several ways:

  • Submit an Abstract to present a project, initiative, or innovative solution to the broader industry (with options to present a poster in a relaxed format or a Paper for a more technical approach).
  • Nominate a standout team member from the Water Operations workforce for a QLD Award (including our New Operator Award – sponsored by qldwater).
  • Apply to compete in the Reece Civil + Viadux Main Tapping Competition or the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water Contest.

WIOA looks forward to welcoming attendees to what promises to be another exceptional event. 

More info and register here.  

Griffith University Activated Sludge and Biological Nutrient Removal Short Course

Registrations are NOW OPEN for the 29 June- 3 July2026 ASBNR Micro-Credential course providing successful learners with an Activated Sludge Expert Digital Badge.  

If you are involved with the management, operation and maintenance of an activated sludge or BNR plant; Upgrading your AS plant to BNR; A scientist working in a laboratory analysing wastewater or researching the AS/BNR process; Studying environmental engineering or wastewater subjects; Completing your Certificate III or IV in water operations, you might be interested in attending this course.  This course has been successfully offered since 1997 providing excellent knowledge sharing and building skills in wastewater treatment operations for over 1000 Operators, Engineers, Managers and Scientists. Don't miss out on the early bird registrations - get in early to secure you place in 2026 

More info and register here.

Early Bird closes 10 April 2026. For further information, don't hesitate to contact Mel or Helen (m.christie@griffith.edu.au or h.stratton@griffith.edu.au).

WaterRA Research Outlook

WaterRA hosted a highly engaging online workshop to progress the Water Research Outlook, a foundational strategic reference designed to guide research, organisational strategy, and long-term planning across Australia's water sector. Members, researchers, utilities, and partners reviewed the draft Outlook, discussed research priorities, and helped define eight Big Challenges spanning source protection, health safeguarding, resource circularity, digital transformation, infrastructure resilience, equity and inclusion, strategic governance, and water economics. These challenges will shape WaterRA's research agenda, with next steps including finalising the Outlook, developing an accompanying Research Roadmap, and initiating new collaborative research projects aligned with sector-wide priorities.

More info here.

WSAA Water in Transition Report

WSAA released a new report titled Water in Transition, developed with The UK Water Report. Water in Transition examines the long-term transition the global water industry is experiencing meaning higher levels of investment, increased costs and, ultimately, higher prices for customers. Water and wastewater ‘services’ that the environment has long provided to the global water industry for free are in decline and need to be replaced by paid-for alternatives. Drawing on evidence from Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, it highlights a major industry shift toward sustainable, circular water systems and the long-term investment needed to support them.

Download the report here.

CURRENT CONSULTATIONS

New IChEMS scheduling decisions for PFAS

DCCEEW has opened a consultation on a raft of IChEMS scheduling decision for PFAS chemicals. It appears that this has been prompted by the recommendations from the PFAS Senate Select Committee report, published last November.  

The proposed scheduling decisions apply a tiered risk management framework across the PFAS classes instead of a blanket Schedule 7 listing, which provides a prohibition on imports and use. Schedule 4 and 5 chemicals are subject to managed phase-down through transition requirements, use restrictions, and waste controls that are not as strong.

PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS were listed on Schedule 7 in July 2025, with bans on imports of chemicals and articles containing the listed chemicals, and restrictions on “unintentional contamination” of up to 25 µg/kg (25 ppb). The Schedule 7 listing of PFNS, PFDS and PFHpS proposes similar restrictions.

A handful of other chemicals of concern have also been listed.

The consultation will be open until 24 April. qldwater will be making a submission. For more information, please visit the consultation page.

Productivity Commission: new inquiry & call for submission

The Productivity Commission (PC) invites interested parties to register their interest in an inquiry into National Water Reform 2026.

The PC is conducting its fourth inquiry on governments’ progress under the National Water Initiative, as required by the Water Act 2007 (Cth). It will also advise on ways to promote a more sustainable water service industry to inform further work by governments to refresh Australia’s water policy. The PC will provide an interim update and produce a final report. The full terms of reference that guide the inquiry are available from the PC’s website.

To assist in the preparation of submissions for the interim update, the PC has prepared a call for submission paper which identifies a range of matters about which information and comment are being sought. 

Call for submissions are due by Friday 24 April 2026.

Reviews of the Alternative Waste Treatment (AWT) and/or Source Separated Organic Waste (SSOW) ACCU methods. 

These reviews have now concluded, and a new Alternative Waste Treatment (AWT) method has been prioritised for development, led by the Australian Resources Recovery Council (ARRC). Activities covered by the SSOW method will be considered for inclusion in the new AWT method, consistent with Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee’s (ERAC’s) review of the SSOW method.

The AWT method expired on 31 March 2025 and the SSOW method will expire on 31 March 2026. New projects cannot be registered under an expired method, however projects already registered under a method can continue to generate ACCUs until their crediting period expires.

ARRC has set up a page for stakeholders to register their interest in contributing to development of the new AWT method:

Links to information on the reviews are as follows:

Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

On Wednesday 25 March 2026 the Honourable Jarrod Bleijie MP Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations introduced the Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 into the Queensland Parliament. The Bill was referred to the Primary Industries and Resources Committee for detailed consideration.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the planning, environmental and resources legislative frameworks to ensure that new coal seam gas activities in the Condamine Alluvium are subject to strong protections, including prohibiting long term detrimental impacts on the Condamine Alluvium groundwater resource.

The Bill also seeks to:

  • streamline coal seam gas approvals by removing the requirement for a regional interest development approval and relying on the environmental authority process; and
  • clarify and expand compensation arrangements for landholders for coal seam gas induced subsidence impacts.

The committee invites submissions on any aspect of the Bill, from all interested parties through the Committee website.  The closing date for written submissions is 4pm Monday, 13 April 2026.

CURRENT VACANCIES

Banana Shire Council - Manager Water Services

Banana Shire Council is looking for a Manager – Water Services to provide strategic leadership and professional engineering oversight for Council’s water supply and sewerage services, ensuring safe, reliable, compliant and financially sustainable operations. 

The role is accountable for regulatory compliance, water quality risk management, asset stewardship, capital program delivery, operational excellence, and the development of a capable, high-performing workforce. As Council’s senior water and sewerage engineering authority, the role ensures all activities meet statutory obligations, recognised engineering standards, and Council’s governance, safety and customer service requirements.

More info here.

Cairns Regional Council Labourer Wastewater Reticulation 

Gain exposure to a wide range of tasks - from clearing blockages, lateral connections and assisting with installations, to inspections and investigations across Cairns’ sewer network. 

This is a great opportunity to step into a role where every day is different, you can build practical skills, work outdoors, and your work directly benefits the community. 

Applications close Sunday 12 April. 

More info here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • 16 April - Essentials Webinar - Disinfection Byproducts: A fresh look at an old problem
  • 7 May - Nature-Based Solutions Bus Tour
  • 26-28 May - AWA Ozwater'26
  • 23-24 June - WIOA QLD Conference & Exhibition


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