eFlash #672 New
Date: 17-Sep-2026
In this edition: End of Year Drinks | HAB Toolkit | Early consultation on ERA 63(2) - sewage treatment pump stations | Regional Water Action Plan NSW | Drinking Water Regulation Workshop Townsville | Environmental Regulator Roadshow | 2026 National PFAS Symposium | National Biosolids Conference 2027 and more.
End of Year Drinks – Register Now!
Join qldwater at the Green Deck, Parliament House, Brisbane from 5.30 – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 18 November 2026 to celebrate another busy year in Queensland's urban water sector. This is an opportunity to network with professionals from Water Service Providers, sector suppliers, and government stakeholders.
One free ticket is available per qldwater member organisation.
HAB Toolkit
Last week qldwater CEO Dr Georgina Davis attended the National Preparedness Summit for the 2026-27 Higher Risk Weather Season (HRWS). The Summit brought together critical stakeholders from all levels of governments, industry and the NFP sector to explore how we prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
The upcoming HRWS officially spans from October to April and is likely to be influenced by an El Niño event. This will bring increased chance of unusually warm temperatures including the risk of severe heatwaves. Some Queensland regions will also see less rainfall than average.
We know that warm weather acts as a catalyst for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) by creating ideal thermal and physical conditions for toxic organisms to multiply rapidly.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a significant threat to water quality and public health, making their management a crucial concern for water service providers. These rapid growths of algae can produce toxins that contaminate drinking water, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and pose health risks to humans and animals.
The qldwater HAB Toolkit aims to equip water service providers with the knowledge and resources necessary to understand, monitor, and mitigate the impacts of harmful algal blooms. It includes a generic HAB Action Plan developed by Queensland Health to help Queensland drinking water service providers whose approved Drinking Water Quality Management Plan does not include HAB management. By implementing effective strategies and practices outlined in this guide, water service providers can safeguard water quality, protect public health, and ensure the sustainable management of water resources.
Early consultation on ERA 63(2) - sewage treatment pump stations
The Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 (EP(ES)OLA Act) has introduced a new framework for environmentally relevant activity (ERA) codes.
ERA codes are intended to replace the need for operators to hold an EA for certain lower risk activities. Instead, an operator would need to comply with the conditions of the ERA code. Where the conditions of an ERA code cannot be met, an application for an EA for the activity can still be made. It is understood that there will be a 12-month opt in period once an ERA Code is finalised (TBC).
The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation (DETSI) has invited feedback on the “draft ERA code for ERA 63(2) - sewage treatment pump stations” that has been prepared under the new framework.
Consultation on the draft ERA code will occur in two phases:
- Initial targeted stakeholder consultation, with feedback invited until Friday 2 October 2026.
- Statutory public consultation as required under the Environmental Protection Act 1994
Targeted consultation with qldwater members will be facilitated through the SWEAP, which will meet this Thursday 17 September. If members wish to be involved in the industry consultation, please reach out to lreeves@qldwater.com.au.
OTHER NEWS
Regional Water Action Plan NSW
The NSW Water Directorate and Local Government NSW have launched the six-point Regional Water Action Plan: Securing Our Water Supply at the NSW Water Conference last week. They call on the NSW Government to:
- Provide capital grant funding of $5 billion for LWUs for at least a further 10 years.
- Strengthen drinking water quality in rural, regional and remote NSW including support for LWUs to address emerging contaminants such as PFAS.
- Reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on LWUs in rural, regional and remote NSW including the NSW Regulatory and Assurance Framework, water utility strategic planning and Section 60 approvals.
- Implement a complementary Community Service Obligation model for better targeted, more efficient and predictable funding for councils that cannot raise sufficient revenue to meet the costs of running their water and sewerage systems.
- Commit $4 million per annum to a Local Water Utilities Alliance program, enabling utilities to share expertise, access specialist skills, coordinate planning and to respond more effectively to droughts, emergencies and asset management challenges.
- Commit to a $15 million, 10-year Regional Water Workforce Development Program to build a skilled and sustainable regional water workforce and allocate $2.5 million over 5 years to create dedicated career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The campaign also includes resources like a template notice of motion for councils, ministerial letter templates and a template media release.
Drinking Water Regulation Workshop Townsville
The Water Supply Regulation (WSR) team is hosting a Drinking Water Regulation workshop in Townsville on 12 October 2026.
Presentations from WSR and key industry guest speakers including qldwater will discuss DWQMP reviews, catchment assessment, getting the most out of your data, filter media inspections and case studies from regional providers.
Register here by 5:00 PM Monday 5 October 2026.
Environmental Regulator Roadshow – Local Government
Registrations are now open for the Department of of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation's (DETSI) Environmental Regulator Roadshow - Local Governments to be held at Christie Spaces Brisbane Convention Centre on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Join Patricia O'Callaghan, Director-General, DETSI, environmental regulation and local government leaders, utility organisations and key government stakeholders to build regulatory understanding and share practical approaches that support environmental outcomes in Queensland.
The program includes updates on current priorities, emerging issues and the future direction of environmental regulation in Queensland, LG partnership case studies and a panel session featuring qldwater CEO Dr Georgina Davis on the environment and growth: protecting waterways while enabling development.
National Water Week School Participation Kit
Do you work with schools, teachers or community education networks? The AWA has developed a School Participation Kit to help students explore the school theme: Water Connects Everything.
The kit includes practical classroom, year-level and whole-school activity ideas to build water literacy this National Water Week (19-25 October 2026).
Stormwater Summit 2026
Stormwater Queensland will be hosting the Stormwater Summit on Thursday, 19 November at Griffith University, South Bank to discuss, showcase and drive action for beyond best practice stormwater management - and celebrate Stormwater Queensland's 2026 Awards for Excellence.
This event, led by Stormwater Queensland in collaboration with Griffith University and the International WaterCentre, will connect Queensland’s leading stormwater professionals and other key stakeholders that have an interest or dependency on the protection and management of stormwater - including regulators, engineers, scientists, planners, urban designers, and landscape architects.
2026 National PFAS Symposium
The 2026 National PFAS Symposium will be held from 6-9 December at the Advanced Engineering Building, The University of Queensland. This event will bring together leading experts, researchers and professionals to discuss the latest advances in the study, management and remediation of PFAS. Attendees will explore cutting edge research, regulatory developments and innovative technologies aimed at addressing the challenges posed by PFAS contamination. The symposium will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and foster collaboration across sectors to advance solutions for managing PFAS risks to the environment and public health.
National Biosolids Conference 2027
The biennial National Biosolids Conference is heading to Melbourne in 2027. Held over two days from 3-4 March 2027, this conference will explore how research, operational experience and sector knowledge can be translated into confident decisions and practical outcomes.
Under the theme Evidence into Action, the conference will showcase applied research, operational case studies and practical lessons from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. The program will explore source control, regulation and risk, best-practice operations, asset optimisation, infrastructure and thermal processing, product development, circular economy outcomes, carbon and energy, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and beneficial end use.
There’s still time to contribute to the conference with the call for papers closing on 21 September.
Activated Sludge and Biological Nutrient Reduction course
Back by popular demand, Griffith University will be hosting an Activated Sludge and Biological Nutrient Reduction course at the South Bank Campus from Monday 14 to Friday 18 December 2026.
Early Bird – book and pay before 2 October 2026: $3,795 GST Exclusive
Standard Registration – book and pay after 2 October 2026: $4,015 GST Exclusive
For further information or if you require an invoice to enrol, contact Helen Stratton or Mel Christie.
CURRENT CONSULTATIONS
Draft State Planning Policy Open for Consultation
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning is seeking feedback on a draft State Planning Policy. The State Planning Policy is a key part of Queensland’s planning framework. It sets out the state’s interests in land use planning and development and guides how local planning instruments are prepared and applied across Queensland.
The draft State Planning Policy proposes several changes, including:
- new strategic aspirations
- a revised structure
- updated and consolidated state interests
- changes to supporting statutory tools and guidance materials
Consultation is open until 26 October. If you want to contribute to qldwater’s submission please contact Georgina.
Price monitoring investigation: Unitywater and Urban Utilities
On 24 September 2025, the Queensland Government directed the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to conduct a price monitoring investigation into the monopoly business activities of Unitywater and Urban Utilities.
Unitywater and Urban Utilities have submitted pricing proposals for the period 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030. These proposals, together with supporting documents, are now available on the QCA’s website.
The QCA invites stakeholders to provide initial submissions on the businesses' pricing proposals by 5 October 2026. If you want to contribute to qldwater’s submission, please contact Georgina.