eFlash #661

eFlash #661 New

Date: 26-Jun-2026

In this edition: 2026 QLD Operator Award Winners Announced | Wastewater Quality and Trade Waste Workshop | Essentials Webinar: Applying the Asset Criticality Framework at TRC | Queensland Water Newsletter Released | AWA QLD Regional Technical Event, Gympie | Stormwater Queensland Bold Goals Forum | Publication of Decision Regulation Impact Statement | National Water Week and more.

2026 Queensland Operator Award Winners Announced

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Queensland Operator of the Year Awards, recognising outstanding dedication, leadership and contribution to the water industry. The winners were announced at the WIOA QLD conference last night.

Queensland Operator of the Year – Matt Reusch, TRILITY

With more than two decades of experience, Matt has built an exceptional career across water and wastewater operations, rising from process control to leading major infrastructure projects in North Queensland. Known for his calm and decisive leadership, Matt has successfully guided teams through complex challenges, including restoring critical water supply infrastructure under emergency conditions. He is also highly regarded for his practical approach to innovation, strong commitment to safety, and ability to support and mentor others. Matt’s contribution to the industry, his community, and the people he works with makes him a deserving recipient of this year’s award.

Queensland New Operator of the Year – Luke Maiden, Gympie Regional Council

In just over a year in the industry, Luke has demonstrated impressive professionalism, initiative and a strong commitment to service delivery. Supporting water and wastewater operations across regional and coastal communities, he has quickly built a reputation for reliability, clear communication and attention to detail. Luke consistently looks for ways to improve practices, contributes ideas to enhance safety and efficiency, and is actively investing in his own development. His positive attitude and willingness to learn highlight his potential as a future leader in the water sector.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the supervisors and managers who took the time to prepare and submit nominations. Recognising the achievements of your teams is an important part of strengthening our industry and celebrating excellence.

Congratulations to all nominees. While not everyone can take home an award, your dedication, professionalism and commitment to delivering safe and reliable water services does not go unnoticed. Your work is valued and appreciated across the sector.

Please join us in congratulating Matt and Luke on this well-deserved recognition.

Wastewater Quality and Trade Waste: Out of Sight, Top of Mind

The program for the Wastewater Quality and Trade Waste Workshop to be held on 22-23 July 2026 at the qldwater Headquarters in Eagle Farm is now available.

Download the program here.

Bring your practical challenges and join colleagues from across Queensland for this in-person workshop focused on the realities of wastewater and trade waste management.

Across the two days, the workshop will explore:

How to identify and manage contaminants entering the sewer network
What trade waste compliance looks like in practice
Insights and lessons from utilities across Queensland and beyond
Approaches to strengthening and improving trade waste programs
Tools and resources you can apply in your own workplace
Opportunities to connect, share experiences and learn from peers

A standout session in this year’s program is a panel discussion on Water Cremation—an emerging and complex issue for trade waste managers. After all, while death and taxes are inevitable, only one has implications for the sewer network.

An optional technical tour on 22 July will offer a behind-the-scenes look at a specialised treatment facility, including technologies used to manage landfill leachate and PFAS.

Whether you’re an operator, trade waste officer, environmental professional, engineer or manager, you’ll gain practical insights, valuable connections, and ideas you can take back and implement in your organisation.

Essentials Webinar: Applying the Asset Criticality Framework at Toowoomba RC

Join us on Thursday 2 July at 10:00 am to hear how Toowoomba Regional Council is applying the Asset Criticality Framework in practice.

Push Arachchi, Engineer – Water Infrastructure Services at Toowoomba Regional Council, will share the outcomes of TRC’s Asset Criticality Framework project for water and wastewater, including how the data has been integrated into TechnologyOne. The session will conclude with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Originally developed in 2020 through a collaboration between qldwater and Mackay, Whitsunday and Fraser Coast Regional Councils, the framework was designed to provide a practical, consistent approach to identifying critical assets, assigning criticality ratings and strengthening risk management while remaining adaptable to each council’s size and risk appetite.

The result is a flexible Asset Criticality tool, available free to qldwater members, that can be tailored to local needs. This webinar offers a valuable, real-world example of how the tool is being implemented at TRC.

Queensland Water Newsletter

The June edition of the Queensland Water Newsletter provides a comprehensive look at the people, projects, and progress shaping our sector. Inside, you’ll find highlights from our Water Connections Week and other standout events, updates on our programs and advocacy wins, skills and workforce development initiatives, stories from QWRAP regions showcasing innovation and collaboration and key dates to mark for the rest of 2026, including the Wastewater Quality and Trade Waste Workshop and our Annual Forum.

Read the newsletter here.

OTHER NEWS

AWA Queensland Regional Technical Event

The Australian Water Association (AWA) Queensland is hosting a Regional Technical Event in Gympie on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.

The morning will kick off with a BBQ breakfast and networking session from 6:30am at The Pavilion, followed by a technical program from 8:00am.

This year’s event is themed: "Our Water: From Challenges to Capability – Is Bigger Better?”

The program will include:

Technical presentations
A panel discussion
Networking with water industry peers from across Queensland
A tour of the Jones Hill Water Treatment Plant

You can view full event details and register here: Register for the AWA Gympie Technical Event

You’re welcome to attend the full program or join for specific components (breakfast, technical sessions or the plant tour).

For more information, contact Emma Fisher.

Stormwater Queensland Bold Goals Forum

Bold Goals is a cross-disciplinary event created by Stormwater Queensland, bringing together a multi-discipline of professionals for an evening of big ideas and bold thinking. Attendees will hear a series of short, inspiring pitches from diverse industry professionals designed to challenge perspectives, spark collaboration and drive innovation across sectors.

Speakers include prominent voices from across the industry along with unstructured networking, canape/cocktail style catering and drinks between and after.

Book your place here.

Publication: Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Proposed workplace exposure limits for 9 chemicals

Most work health and safety (WHS) ministers have now responded to the Decision Regulation Impact Statement. While there was not a majority support for the proposed new workplace exposure levels, a majority of ministers have requested further work before any changes are considered.

As a result, there will be no changes to the exposure limits for the 9 chemicals from 1 December 2026. This is a positive outcome for the urban water sector who held significant concerns about the proposed levels for Chlorine Gas and Hydrogen Sulphide.

The Decision Regulation Impact Statement is available on the Safe Work Australia website.

National Water Week

National Water Week 2026 returns 19-25 October 2026 with the theme Water is Life. The school theme for 2026 is: Water Connects Everything

The Australian Water Association (AWA) is inviting local water authorities, councils and regional providers to get involve, particularly by supporting the Primary School Poster Competition.

Participation can be simple: share resources, run a local competition, promote entries or connect with local schools.

With a strong focus on regional, rural and remote communities, this is a great opportunity to support water education and community engagement.

If your Council is planning other National Water Week activities such as school visits, community events, water education activities, tours, workshops, open days or local communications campaigns, please register them on the National Water Week website to promote them on the national events page:

National Water Week logo and graphics are also available for participating organisations to download and use.

CURRENT CONSULTATIONS

National Water Reform 2026 - Interim update released

The Productivity Commission released its first interim update on National Water Reform 2026:Water services reform directions on 19 June 2026. qldwater are grateful to the Commission for their time to speak with us and our members in the development of this interim update.

The Commission invites written submissions in response to this update. Submissions are due 10 July 2026.

The Commission will release its second interim update, which will include the Commission’s preliminary assessment of progress against the 2004 National Water Initiative, in early July.

Visit the PC website to:

View the interim update
Participate by making a submission on the interim update

Email: waterreform2026@pc.gov.au

Queensland Productivity Review into Environmental Regulation

The Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) is conducting an inquiry into the impacts of recent changes to federal environmental regulation.

The inquiry into reforms to Commonwealth environmental laws – including the 2025 changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act – is an important opportunity to address long‑standing issues around assessment timeframes, duplication and regulatory burden for urban water (infrastructure) projects in Queensland.

The QPC has released its Call for Submissions inviting all stakeholders to make a submission to the inquiry – closing date 13 July. Please contact Georgina at gdavis@qldwater.com.au if you are interested in contributing to the qldwater submission.

More info here.

Have your say on Environmental Offsets Framework review

The Queensland Government is seeking feedback on a proposed refresh of the Environmental Offsets Framework, which helps balance development with environmental protection. The review will focus on improving how offsets are delivered, calculated and regulated.

A new discussion paper outlines key challenges, including delays and complexity, and invites stakeholder input on three focus areas: unlocking the Offset Account, financial calculations, and regulatory improvements.

Feedback is open until 29 June 2026 via the consultation website or email offsetsreview@detsi.qld.gov.au.