eFlash #674 New
Date: 01-Oct-2026
In this edition: End of Year Drinks - Register Now! | Entry Level Pathways for Water Discussion Paper | IPWEA-QNT Conference | State of AI for Water: Where Are We Now? | Queensland Wins National Taste Test Award | New Additions to IChEMS Consultation | Draft State Planning Policy Open for Consultation | Georgina and Diamantina Water Plan | Price Monitoring Investigation: Unitywater and UU
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.
Entry Level Pathways for Water Discussion Paper
To better understand how organisations are creating opportunities for new entrants, the Water Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor (ISJA) Lee-Anne Willis recently surveyed Queensland water service providers about their entry-level pathways, including traineeships, graduate programs, work experience and other workforce development initiatives.
This discussion paper explores these findings in more detail and identifies opportunities for greater collaboration between water service providers, education providers and workforce support organisations.
Download the discussion paper here.
IPWEA-QNT Conference
If you are heading to the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (Qld & NT) Annual Conference this week, make sure you drop in to say g’day to the qldwater team at booth #
On Wednesday, 1 October at 10.40am, Georgina will be presenting “Stronger Together – Supporting Urban Water Resilience with qldwater” followed by a panel discussion around Public Works.
We are also looking forward to our member presentations as part of the Water and Wastewater stream. We hope to see some of you there!
State of AI for Water: Where Are We Now?
Neil Holmes will be participating in an interactive discussion exploring the current and future state of AI in water as part of a webinar hosted by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Water Research Australia (WaterRA) at 1.00pm on Thursday, 1 October 2026.
The panel will explore practical applications of AI, the challenges around skills, data, governance and trust, and the potential to move from isolated AI tools towards smarter, connected water systems – while maintaining appropriate human oversight and accountability.
The webinar will also introduce QUT's proposed ARC Training Centre for AI Adoption in Water, bringing together industry, researchers and AI experts to accelerate capability development across the sector.
OTHER NEWS
Queensland Wins National Taste Test Award
Queensland has claimed the 2026 IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia title, with Isaac Regional Council’s Clermont sample winning a blind taste test at WIOA’s SA Super Interest Day in Adelaide on 24 September.
Congratulations to the Isaac Regional Council water team!
WSAA Report: Measuring the Gap
WSAA has released its new report, Measuring the Gap: Water and First Nations Communities, which establishes an initial national baseline of drinking water and wastewater service outcomes for First Nations communities. Released at Voices from the Bush 2026, the report calls for consistent measures, stronger collaboration and urgent action to support safe, equitable water services for all communities.
Beyond the Forecast: Urban Water Planning Under Uncertainty
The Australian Water School is hosting a webinar at 12.00 pm on 7 October 2026 to explore how urban water strategies can be developed to remain robust in an uncertain future, including:
- How climate and demand uncertainty can be incorporated into long-term urban water planning.
- How stress testing can reveal when existing strategies may no longer meet their objectives.
- How adaptation pathways can identify flexible sequences of actions as conditions change.
Using the development of an Urban Water Strategy as a practical case study, the presenters will demonstrate how these approaches can move planning beyond a single forecast of the future. The session will show how stress testing and pathways can help decision-makers understand vulnerabilities, navigate uncertainty, and identify when and how strategies may need to adapt.
Environmental Regulator Roadshow – Local Government
A final reminder to register 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.
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.
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.