eFlash #669 New
Date: 24-Aug-2026
In this edition: Annual Forum 2026 | Celebrating Service to the Sector | QWRAP Chairs & Coordinators Forum | Survey - Entry Level Pathways | qldwater Polo Shirt Sponsorship Opportunity | Infrastructure Asset Management for Local Government | Accelerating Australia's Circular Water Economy | WIOA FNQ Interest Day | Commonwealth Government Changes to Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements | Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan 2026 | Statutory Protections for Queensland WWTPs | Warrego, Paroo, Bulloo and Nebine Water Plans
Annual Forum 2026 – It’s a wrap!
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Brisbane for another highly successful Annual Forum. The quality of discussion, knowledge sharing and collaboration demonstrated throughout the event highlighted the passion and commitment that exists across our sector to address the challenges ahead.
A sincere thank you to our outstanding speakers, who shared their expertise and insights on some of the most pressing issues facing the water industry, including infrastructure funding, workforce sustainability, economic regulation, risk management, governance and regional collaboration. Your contributions helped spark important conversations and challenge us all to think differently about the future of water services in Queensland.
We also extend our gratitude to our valued sponsors, GBA Consulting Engineers, TRILITY, Engenera, Colliers Engineering & Design, McCullough Robertson and Aquatec Maxcon, whose support helped make this event possible, and to our media partner Inside Water for sending their Editor Chris Edwards to attend and report on the event.
Most importantly, thank you to the delegates who travelled from across Queensland and beyond to participate, share experiences and contribute to the discussions. Your engagement is what makes this event so valuable.
We would also like to acknowledge the teams at Veolia, Redland City Council and Water Technology for hosting our popular technical tours. Delegates enjoyed a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Veolia's Northgate Depot, showcasing a range of portable water treatment technologies, as well as a visit to the Southern Redland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant and the adjacent 9.8-hectare mangrove wetland, an inspiring example of how degraded, weed-infested land can be transformed into a thriving wetland ecosystem that delivers environmental and community benefits.
Photos of the event are available here.
Celebrating Service to the Sector
Each year, as part of the qldwater Annual Forum, we present two awards to recognise exceptional service to the urban water sector – the Government Stakeholder Contribution Award and the Industry Recognition Award.
This year, we were delighted to recognise Heidi Grodecki as the recipient of the Government Stakeholder Contribution Award.
For more than a decade, Heidi has been a valued partner to Queensland's water industry through her work in Queensland Health's Water Unit. Her expertise, leadership and unwavering commitment to safe drinking water have helped strengthen public health outcomes across communities throughout the state.
Beyond her technical and regulatory contributions, Heidi is a passionate advocate for improving services in rural and remote areas and creating opportunities for First Nations drinking water operators. Her willingness to collaborate, support industry initiatives and share her knowledge has made a lasting impact on the sector.
We were also proud to recognise Phil Wetherell as the recipient of the Industry Recognition Award.
A scientist by training with a Master's degree in Environmental Health, Phil has built an impressive career spanning technical leadership, customer service, incident management, strategic risk and resilience. In his current role as Principal Water Quality at Urban Utilities, he is responsible for guiding drinking water quality strategy and frameworks that support safe and reliable services for communities across South East Queensland.
Beyond his professional achievements, Phil is widely respected for his willingness to share knowledge and support the development of others. Over many years, he has been a strong advocate for collaboration across the water sector, contributing to qldwater events, collaborative networks including SWEAP, presenting on emerging industry challenges, and facilitating technical tours that help build capability and understanding among peers and regulators alike.
Congratulations Heide and Phil and thank you for your outstanding service and contribution to our sector.
QWRAP Chairs & Coordinators Forum
On Tuesday, qldwater hosted the annual QWRAP Chairs & Coordinators Forum, bringing together representatives from all nine QWRAP regions, along with program partners from the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ). We are grateful to the Department for their continued support of the Forum, enabling the regional alliance representatives to attend.
The forum provided an opportunity to reflect on the journeys and achievements in regional collaboration, with updates highlighting a diverse range of projects and initiatives underway across Queensland.
While the projects themselves were impressive, the real strength of QWRAP continues to be the connections it fosters between water and sewerage teams. By building relationships, sharing experiences and learning from one another, participants are strengthening capability across the sector and helping regional communities thrive.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their stories, insights and honest feedback. Collaboration across vast distances and within an increasingly complex regulatory environment is not always easy, making the strong and supportive QWRAP network all the more valuable. It's always inspiring to see the partnerships and friendships that continue to grow through this uniquely Queensland program.
Survey Reminder – Entry Level Pathways
qldwater is seeking to understand the range of entry-level workforce development pathways currently offered by member organisations. This short survey should take approximately 5 minutes to complete and will close on 2 September 2026. The information collected will help identify existing good practice, explore opportunities for industry collaboration, and inform future workforce attraction and development initiatives across the Queensland water sector.
We are particularly interested in understanding current approaches to work experience, traineeships, cadetships, graduate programs, vocational placements, and partnerships members have with higher education providers and all-inclusive recruitment agencies.
qldwater Polo Shirt Sponsorship
We have only one opportunity left for an organisation who would like 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.
OTHER NEWS
Infrastructure Asset Management for Local Government
The Institute of Public Works Engineering (IPWEA), in collaboration with Queensland Treasury Corporation, is offering partially subsidised Asset Management training through QTC Education.
The Introduction to Infrastructure Asset Management for Local Government course is a 4-week online course designed specifically for local government employees who are managing public infrastructure assets and are looking to build their understanding of best-practice asset management.
Accelerating Australia’s Circular Water Economy Report
Water utilities hold significant untapped potential to recover valuable resources including nutrients, energy, minerals and chemicals. The new Accelerating Australia's Circular Water Economy report, produced by Circular Australia, the Australian Water Association, Arup and SUEZ, explores how the sector can transition from a linear model to one that captures value from every stage of the water cycle.
Drawing on industry research and case studies, the report identifies key opportunities for resource recovery and outlines the policy, market and investment changes needed to help make circular water solutions mainstream across Australia.
WIOA FNQ Interest Day
WIOA will be hosting an industry interest day in Cairns on Friday, 16 October.
Bringing together operators from across the region, these events combine practical industry insight with a laid-back social setting. Expect meaningful discussions, shared experiences, and plenty of opportunities to connect, both during the presentation program and out on the green.
The Flood Game: Are You Ready?
What does it really take to prepare for, respond to and recover from a major flood event?
Join the Queensland Young Water Professionals (YWPs) at 5pm on 9 September 2026 for an interactive, scenario-based Flood Game, where you'll step into the role of a decision-maker responding to unfolding flood emergencies across the state.
Originally adapted for the Australian water sector through a collaboration between the Australian Water Association's Water Literacy & Education and Regional, Rural & Remote Water Specialist Networks, the game was developed with significant support from qldwater and first delivered at Ozwater'26 in Brisbane.
Working as part of a community team, you'll face real-world challenges, make critical decisions under pressure and navigate the complexities of disaster response. As the scenario unfolds, you'll need to balance competing priorities, collaborate with others and make the best decisions possible with the information available at the time.
This fast-paced and engaging experience provides valuable insights into flood preparedness, response, recovery and resilience.
Will your community thrive under pressure, or will the flood catch you off guard? Join the game and find out.
Electrical Safety Regulation 2026
The remadeElectrical Safety Regulation 2026 will commence on 1 September 2026. The regulation has been reviewed and updated to ensure it is relevant for Queensland in 2026. This will replace the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 when it expires on 31 August 2026.
The Electrical Safety Regulation (ES Regulation) is subordinate legislation made under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (the Act) and its primary focus is to protect workers, consumers and the public by supporting a safe and effective electrical safety framework in Queensland.
The review and remake of the ES Regulation included comprehensive consultation with the electrical industry. Find out more information about the public consultation period.
Key changes to the regulation include:
- new section and part numbers
- reordering of provisions to improve navigation and strengthen the connection to the Act
- changes to the look and feel of provisions to make them clearer and remove duplication
- technical, procedural and administrative amendments
- removal of duplicative or redundant provisions.
There are no changes to the policy intent or the existing regulatory requirements.
Information is available on the WorkSafe website to help support the navigation of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026, including answers to frequently asked questions.
For more information on the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026, visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/ESR2026.
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 and infrastructure planning to coordinate the delivery of essential services including water.
Consultation closes on Monday 14 September 2026.
Closing soon: Statutory protections for Queensland wastewater treatment plants
There is still time to take part in the public consultation on statutory protections available to wastewater treatment plants under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 before 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.
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 Noticeor contact the water planning team at WPBNWaterPlan@dlgwv.qld.gov.au.