New DEWS KPI Framework
Date: 29-Jun-2017
By now members should be well aware that subject to final parliamentary processes, a number of DEWS-administered statutory plans will soon be replaced by a process of annual reporting, audits, and ultimately comparative reporting, with data capture commencing on 1 July 2014. The requirements apply to all water service providers to varying degrees. Perhaps the biggest changes are to mandate reporting against a number of indicators for all providers, and to mandate National Performance Reporting for all providers with greater than 10,000 connections. DEWS will be writing to service providers with specific details again soon, including how audit processes and comparative reporting is likely to work.
qldwater has long advocated for a single, fit for purpose water and sewerage management plan for each service provider, supported by legislation. Removal of the previous raft of sometimes duplicative plans is a great step forward for the industry although retaining some of the guidance and oversight of water and sewerage asset management would have been useful for many Service Providers. The removal of this regulation was driven by red tape reduction targets set by the current State Government in 2012. We are working through a process of developing a standard template that builds existing processes and guidance material to support those members who desire some guidance in maintaining these critical planning processes.
The new KPI framework has a focus on outcomes rather than inputs and we have supported its development as much as possible, believing that performance monitoring through transparent reporting is critical to industry sustainability. Similar reporting processes have existed in other jurisdictions, including NSW for some time. However, recognising the diversity within our industry, qldwater is closely following the introduction of the new mandatory reporting framework and will work with members to overcome issues either through negotiating with the Department or developing the SWIM tool. DEWS has indicated they will continue their discussions with the industry to review the KPI framework as necessary.
The DEWS consultation process to develop these indicators has been extensive and included the formation of a DEWS ‘Business Advisory Group’ which included service provider representatives, LGAQ and qldwater. DEWS has also worked with those responsible for national performance reporting and the Queensland Competition Authority to minimise the number of new indicators and achieve consistency in definitions. However, consensus on the validity of certain indicators will never be achieved (qldwater does not support all), and there will be costs to some members to capture additional data. We believe that these costs are likely to be very small relative to the former mandatory plan regime, and the framework represents a good start, but will need to evolve.
We have for many years been encouraging streamlined voluntary reporting through SWIM, through consolidating indicators across numerous regulatory requirements, improving capture tools, and ultimately publishing voluntary industry benchmarking reports for the last two financial years. We have successfully incorporated requirements from the Bureau of Meteorology, ABS and other regulators into SWIM so that service providers have the option of reporting similar indicators only once through the SWIM platform. Uptake continues to grow with close to 90% of members across the State currently using the tool. While we could not be certain what regulatory form it would take, our industry has been preparing for mandatory KPI reporting for a long time, recognising that Queensland is one of few jurisdictions nationally (and internationally) lacking this coordinated approach.
Please provide feedback on this process at any time to us. It is important that we continue to raise any difficulties with data capture, reporting, or simple suggestions for improvement with all of our regulators. As discussed at regional events many times in 2013, new regulation and an increase in the reporting burden are inevitable in any industry, and we need to ensure we work together in advocating for practical and common sense approaches.
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