eFlash #673 New
Date: 24-Sep-2026
In this edition: swimlocal® Named Finalist for Digital Transformation Project of the Year | End of Year Drinks - Register Now! | ERA 63(2) Feedback Session | Environmental Regulator Roadshow - Local Government | Drinking Water Regulation Workshop Townsville | Activated Sludge and Biological Nutrient Reduction Course | Prepare Now for Workplace Exposure Limits Water Night 2026 | New Additions to IChEMS Consultation | Draft State Planning Policy Open for Consultation | Georgina and Diamantina Water Plan | Price Monitoring Investigation: Unitywater and UU
swimlocal® Finalist for Digital Transformation Project of the Year
qldwater has been named a finalist in the Digital Transformation Project of the Year category at the 2026 Utility Awards, recognising the innovation and collaboration behind swimlocal®.
The finalist selection reflects the commitment that has taken swimlocal® from concept through to the system it is today.
Thank you to David Scheltinga, Jess Dean, our IT partner Chris Hutchinson, qldwater members and swimlocal® subscribers for their contributions to the project.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Utility Awards Gala in Melbourne on Tuesday, 26 October.
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.
ERA 63(2) - Sewage Pump Stations Feedback Session
The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation (DETSI) have released a draft framework for environmentally relevant activity (ERA) codes under the Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 (EP(ES)OLA Act).
This ERA code is intended to reduce the regulatory burden for low-risk activities, while maintaining environmental protections. The codes will contain enforceable conditions, like an environmental authority (EA), but will sit outside the EA.
DETSI is inviting feedback on the “draft ERA code for ERA 63(2) - sewage treatment pump stations” to improve the usability and uptake of the code.
To gather the feedback, we are holding a dedicated session for qldwater members to dig into the proposed code on Wednesday 30 August from 1:30 to 2:30pm.
If you would like to be involved in the process as a qldwater member, please reach out to Louise Reeves for an invitation to the meeting.
There will also be a future statutory public consultation period after the code is finalised.
OTHER NEWS
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.
Activated Sludge and Biological Nutrient Reduction course
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.
Expressions of interest are also open for an ASBNR course and a 2-week drinking water and wastewater lab course in 2027. Register your interest from the links below:
Prepare now for Workplace Exposure Limits
From 1 December 2026, workplace exposure standards (WES) will transition to Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL), with a new list of exposure limits coming into effect.
What does this mean for your organisation?
- Until 30 November 2026, you must comply with the current WES requirements.
- From 1 December 2026, you must comply with the new WEL requirements and ensure worker exposure to airborne contaminants does not exceed the updated limits
To ensure you are ready, please:
- Review the Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list to identify any dusts, gases, fumes, vapours or mists in your workplace that may be affected by the new limits.
- Review your chemical safety data sheets (SDSs).
- Assess whether your current risk assessments, air monitoring and health monitoring programs remain appropriate.
- Consult with workers about the changes and provide additional training where needed.
- Seek expert advice, such as from an occupational hygienist, if air monitoring or further assessment is required.
- Keep records of any monitoring, risk assessments, reviews and corrective actions.
Water Night 2026
The Water Conservancy is hosting its annual Water Night on Thursday 22 October 2026, challenging Australians to switch off taps, showers and running water from 5-10 PM during National Water Week.
This year’s theme, Tap Pause. Level Up., is about pausing everyday routines and levelling up how we understand, value and use water.
For the water industry, it’s a chance to get teams involved and build momentum across the sector by taking on the Water Night Industry Challenge. The organisation with the highest percentage of staff registrations will win, with one lucky person from the winning organisation taking home a Smart Drop Certified prize pack. T&Cs apply.
CURRENT CONSULTATIONS
New additions to IChEMS: consultation
DCCEEW has opened consultation on the proposed chemical standards for 10 new chemicals. Proposed listings are:
- Schedule 6: Long chain perfluorocarboxylic acids; Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Schedule 5: Nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates
- Schedule 4: Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and hydrochlorofluoroolefins (HCFO);
- Schedule 3: Pentane, isopentane and cyclopentane; Dehydroacetic acid; Fluorescent Brightener 71 and related chemicals; Hexamine and related chemicals
- Schedule 2: Ethane, propane and butanes; Salicylic acid and its salts
Of most interest to the urban water sector is the Schedule 6 listing of the long chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC PFCAs), which are PFAS widely used in industries including automotive, manufacturing, chemical, electronics and textiles. The listing is import and use prohibition that covers PFCAs with between 8 and 20 carbons including PFOA (already listed in Schedule 7 of IChEMS), PFNA, PFDA and so on.
The Schedule 6 listing (rather than Schedule 7) for the LC PFCAs reflects some ongoing essential uses for these chemicals in "semiconductors in replacement parts for articles and combustion-engine-powered vessels" and "replacement parts for motor vehicles that have ceased mass production".
The consultation is open until 23 October 2026.
For more information about the proposal, visit theIChEMS consultation page.
Draft State Planning Policy Open for Consultation
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning is seeking feedback on a draft State Planning Policy, 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.
Georgina and Diamantina Water Plan
The Queensland Government is calling on water users, communities and industries to have their say on the draft Georgina and Diamantina water plan.
The new plan aims to replace the current water plan and support the region’s long-term water security, while creating greater opportunities for future economic and community development.
Consultation closes 16 December 2026.
More information and submit feedback here.
Price monitoring investigation: Unitywater and Urban Utilities
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, pleasecontact Georgina.