eFlash #667

eFlash #667 New

Date: 06-Aug-2026

Annual Forum 2026 – Register Now!

As communities face growing infrastructure, affordability and service delivery challenges, how should funding models evolve to ensure long-term sustainability for local water utilities?

Join Sascha Moege, Manager Water Utility Policy, Pricing and Reform at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, at the qldwater 2026 Annual Forum as he explores the NSW Government's response to the Productivity and Equality Commission's Review of Funding Models for Local Water Utilities (LWUs).

In his presentation, "A New LWU Funding Approach", Sascha will provide an update on proposed reforms that could reshape how water utilities are funded, including:

Better targeting of funding to areas of greatest need
More predictable and stable long-term funding arrangements
Potential shifts from project-based capital grants to Community Service Obligation funding models
Improvements to the regulatory framework supporting local water utilities

For water industry leaders, managers, policy makers and decision-makers, this session offers valuable insights into funding reform initiatives that may influence conversations across the sector well beyond NSW.

The forum will take place on 19 August at the IPWEA-QNT Training Rooms in Eagle Farm, Brisbane, with an optional technical tour of Veolia's Northgate Depot for portable water treatment technology, the Southern Redland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the adjoining Shoreline Project mangrove wetland on Thursday, 20 August.

Secure your place today and join the conversation on the future of sustainable water utility funding.

Thanks to our sponsors GBA Consulting Engineers, TRILITY, Engenera, Colliers, McCullough Robertson Lawyers, Aquatec Maxcon.

LAWMAC

Last week Georgina and Col Hester presented to the Local Authority Waste Management Action Committee Inc. (LAWMAC) on our Trade Waste Uplift Project and the range of supporting tools and resources freely available to councils.

The meeting, kindly hosted by Cairns Regional Council had strong representation from LAWMACs 22 member councils and supporting businesses, with over 125 delegates. qldwater is proud to be a member of LAWMAC, recognising the intersection of the water, waste and trade waste portfolios within local councils.

Strengthening this nexus is going to be increasingly important as the water and waste portfolios seek to meet increasing recycling targets and realise circular economy aspirations; build new infrastructure including energy from waste where maximizing our collective volumes will make or break scale, viability and cost; manage our risks and liabilities from pollutants; and ensure that decisions in one area of council do not have unintended consequences to others.

The Trade Waste Uplift Project has delivered a range of resources including:

A recent Wastewater Quality and Trade Waste: Out of Sight, Top of Mind workshop
The Lime Card: A practical introduction to trade waste
The Trade Waste Toolbox, featuring a Model Trade Waste Plan, trade waste application forms and a series of fact sheets on different industries.

Inside Water Podcast

In the latest episode of the Inside Water podcast, qldwater CEO Dr Georgina Davis joins host Chris Edwards to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing Queensland's council-led water and sewerage sector.

From servicing vast regional and remote communities to addressing workforce pressures and planning for the future, the conversation explores why collaboration is critical to delivering sustainable water services across the state.

Georgina also shares how her experience across agriculture, waste, recycling and advocacy has shaped her approach to supporting councils and water service providers and highlights the value of initiatives such as the Queensland Water Regional Alliance Program (QWRAP) in strengthening regional capability and resilience.

Listen to the episode here.

HR/IR Collaborative Network Meeting

This week, qldwater hosted another HR/IR Collaborative Network Meeting in partnership with the LGAQ.

Attendees heard about EBA negotiations recognising Water Industry Worker (WIW) frameworks at Redland City Council, updates on chlorine gas safety, qldwater’s Case for Change for the National Water Package, the launch of the Lime Card and workforce planning for water teams.

If you work in HR/IR and would like to get involved with these meetings, please contact Georgina.

qldwater Polo Shirt Sponsorship

qldwater is offering a limited opportunity for organisations to showcase their brand on the official qldwater member polo shirts. Worn by qldwater members, staff and representatives at industry events, site visits, training activities, conferences and workshops, these shirts provide ongoing visibility for your organisation throughout the year.

This sponsorship is an affordable way to demonstrate your support for Queensland's urban water sector while gaining exposure to professionals from councils, utilities, government agencies, consultants, and industry suppliers across the state.

More info here.

Say What You Are Campaign

Remember to Say What You Are when you complete your Census form on 11 August 2026.

Every correctly identified Water Treatment Operator, Water Network Operator, Trade Waste Officer, Water Sampler and Supervisor helps build a clearer picture of our workforce. Better data means a stronger case for funding, training and future workforce planning.

Download the campaign materials here.

OTHER NEWS

Avian Influenza Protocols

Queensland is facing a biosecurity threat with the detection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild bird populations.

While investigations are continuing, the risks to our native wildlife (including our mammals and marsupials) are unknown given they have had no previous contact with the virus. Internationally this virus has spread between animal species.

Water treatment facilities across Queensland offer water refuges for many migratory as well as local bird populations. It is therefore essential that our people know what to do if they come across a sick or dead bird. Irrespective of the current avian influenza risk, dead animals pose a potential risk to our workforce and therefore it is essential that there are clear workplace procedures and risk management protocols.

With regards to sick and dead birds, there is an Avian Influenza Toolkit developed by Wildlife Health Australia which provides practical guidance on recognising symptoms. It is essential that any unusual bird deaths or signs of illness are reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline immediately on 1800 675 888 (operating 24 hours per day).

Guidance on the Business Queensland webpage includes disposal of dead birds and relevant minimum standards for PPE.

Future Drought Proofing SEQ Workshops

The SEQ Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) has now been approved by the Queensland and Australian governments, and work is underway to develop an Implementation Plan to turn its recommended initiatives into projects. Regional stakeholders are invited to participate in a series of roundtable discussions to help shape project priorities and strengthen drought resilience across South East Queensland.

Five sessions will be held across the region during August. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/seq-regional-drought-resilience-plan-roundtables-4856367

If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute, contact Andrew Drysdale at andrew.drysdale@unisq.edu.au or 0407 634 224.

Accelerating Australia’s Circular Water Economy

The Australian Water Association, Circular Australia, Arup and Suez will launch a new report mapping the untapped value in Australia’s water systems and the market, policy and investment shifts needed to unlock it. The report will be launched during a webinar discussing the findings followed by a panel session at 12.00pm on Wednesday, 19 August.

Drawing on industry experts, insights and case studies from Australia and overseas, the report examines four interconnected opportunity areas:

Water Recovery & Reuse: broadening the viability of raw water sources, maximising reuse, and recovering embedded value from what is currently discharged
Nutrients, Salts & Metals: extracting and recovering valuable constituents from water and wastewater streams
Energy & Bio Products: recovering, optimising, and reusing energy across the water cycle, reducing reliance on fossil-based sources
Components & Chemicals: reducing, reusing, and recycling chemicals and components used in water treatment across water sector supply chains

New HCIS Published

Safe Work Australia has published a new Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS) to support the transition to workplace exposure limits (WELs), which come into effect on 1 December 2026.

The new HCIS makes it easier to find and access hazardous chemical information through a range of enhancements, including:

a modern, refreshed user interface
a single search function that brings together relevant chemical information, with Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and WEL data displayed on one page, and
compatibility with different devices, including mobile phones and tablets.

As part of the upgrade, GHS classification data from the European Chemicals Agency and Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme has also been updated.

The HCIS is a guidance tool designed to assist Australian manufacturers, importers and users of chemicals to determine whether a product is a hazardous chemical and, if so, classify, label and prepare a safety data sheet (SDS) in accordance with the GHS and model WHS Regulations.

Importantly, the HCIS can also help qldwater employers and other users of hazardous chemicals check information on SDS and labels.

Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund- - Closing Soon

Applications for the joint Australian and Queensland governments' Wastewater Grant Program under the $24 million Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund close at 10am on Monday, 17 August 2026.

The Wastewater Grant Program seeks to enhance the range of affordable wastewater treatment systems in the marketplace capable of achieving leading practice end of pipe nutrient concentrations. This will be done through a combination of on ground trials of wastewater treatment/management approaches ready for evaluation at the operational scale and amplifying the commercialisation of promising wastewater treatment technologies/management approaches.

Apply online at Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund.

If you have questions, please reach out as soon as possible to the Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage at OfficeoftheGBR@detsi.qld.gov.au

AWA QLD Water Awards

Nominations are open for the Australian Water Association’s Queensland Water Awards, an opportunity to get your people and projects the recognition they deserve!

Nominations close 7 September, and the winners will be announced at the QLD Gala Dinner on Friday, 13 November.

More info here.

CURRENT CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan 2026

The Queensland Government released the draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan 2026 which sets the long-term direction for growth, while protecting what makes the region unique.

The draft regional plan supports jobs and a strong regional economy, building on key industries, and links land use and infrastructure planning to coordinate the delivery of essential services including water.

This is your opportunity to get involved in shaping how the region grows and changes to ensure that regional planning maximises local economic opportunities and enhances the things you love about where you live.

Consultation closes on Monday 14 September 2026.

Make a submission here.

Have your say: Statutory protections for Queensland wastewater treatment plants

The Queensland Government has commenced a review of the statutory protections available to wastewater treatment plants under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, with public consultation now open until 28 August 2026.

This is an important opportunity for the urban water sector to provide evidence of the real-world impacts that known and emerging contaminants are having on water businesses. We encourage all members to think beyond PFAS and consider the broader challenges posed by contaminants entering wastewater systems, including the impacts on:

long-term planning and infrastructure investment
operational and compliance costs
environmental and regulatory risk
biosolids management and beneficial reuse
insurance, liability and future financial exposure.

The stronger our evidence, the stronger our advocacy. If your organisation has examples of how emerging contaminants are affecting your operations, planning, costs or risk management, we encourage you to share those experiences with Louise Reeves or Georgina Davis at qldwater.

Find more information about the consultation here.

Have Your Say on Future Water Planning

The Queensland Government is reviewing and replacing the Warrego, Paroo, Bulloo and Nebine Water Plan 2016 and is seeking community feedback on key water management issues, opportunities and challenges in the region.

Input from stakeholders will help shape a draft replacement plan, informed by the latest science and technical assessments. Submissions are open until 5pm, 28 September 2026.

Learn more and provide your feedback via the Public Consultation Notice or contact the water planning team at WPBNWaterPlan@dlgwv.qld.gov.au.