eFlash #503
Date: 08-Sep-2021
In this edition: Annual Forum Kicks off with Automated Metering Workshop| Building our Regions funding announcement from State Government| Digitising our Reticulation Operations in Two Months| Special Webinar on Progress with COVID Sewage Surveillance – Register Now| Positions Available – Bundaberg Regional Council
1. Annual Forum Kicks off with Automated Metering Workshop
We had a great start to the 2021 qldwater Annual Forum with around 70 people gathering at the Alexandra Hills Hotel to hear from a range of speakers about their experiences with automated meter rollouts.
The day started with a keynote opening address by Jaason Englesmith from Jacobs Worldwide who set the scene for the day before James Goode from WSAA provided an overview of digital futures for water utilities in Australia, particularly the need for universal classifications to ensure consistency.
Ivan Di Giusto’s presentation provided a different perspective from a Vendor’s point of view with some suggestions on ways that utilities can create an ideal vendor ecosystem to solve challenging problems.
Chris Owen from City of Gold Coast, David Brooker from Urban Utilities and Andrea Thayer from Mackay Regional Council shared their experiences of the rollout of automated meters in their regions.
We also heard from three Councils who have just embarked on their AMR programs, including Lalji Rathod from Southern Downs Regional Council, Mostafizur Rahman from Gladstone Regional Council and Stephen Jewell from Mount Isa City Council.
Bruno Pisano and Kevin Hellier joined us online to show how Melbourne Water benefits from the Elafent system to derive effective analytics from their AMR systems.
A couple of panel sessions sparked interesting conversations, both for and against the value of automated meters. A more comprehensive overview of the day will follow.
2. Building our Regions Funding Announcement from State Government
$70 million Palaszczuk Government funding boost for regional water projects
The next phase of Palaszczuk Government’s hugely successful Building Our Regions program has taken a step forward with details of the $70 million for regional water infrastructure projects revealed.
Regional local governments will soon be able to apply for a share of the $70 million Building Our Regions Round 6 fund for priority water and sewage infrastructure and planning projects.
Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, Glenn Butcher, said the funding provided vital support to councils who need financial help to get critical works completed.
“These projects aren’t just critical right now as we deliver our economic plan to recover from the global COVID-19 pandemic and create jobs, but also for the long-term growth of regional communities around the state,” Mr Butcher said.
“For some of our smaller councils, raising the funds for projects such as sewage infrastructure or water pipeline repairs can be challenging.
“That’s where the Palaszczuk Government is making a real difference for regional communities, by providing funding to get these essential but ‘un-sexy’ projects completed.Mr Butcher said guidelines for Round 6 were being provided to regional councils so they could assess potential projects to submit for funding when applications open in the coming weeks.
“Councils can apply for up to $2 million in funding to support a range of eligible construction and works projects over three years,” he said.“Small and very small councils will also be able to apply for funding of up to $300,000 for planning of projects that will help determine the right solution to address a water or sewerage service issue.
”The Building Our Regions program has a long and successful history of supporting Queensland’s local governments to invest in essential regional infrastructure and create flow-on economic development opportunities and jobs.
Previous rounds of Building Our Regions have seen more than $348 million of funding approved towards 271 projects across 67 council areas.Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson welcomed the focus on water and wastewater infrastructure of the latest round of the program
.“We have been working closely with the Queensland Government on behalf of our member councils, to find ways to address the infrastructure cliff many rural towns are facing due to ageing water and wastewater infrastructure,” Mr Jamieson said.
“This funding represents an important first step in what will be needed to deliver critical water and sewerage upgrades for these communities.”
More information about Building Our Regions is available here.
3. Digitising Our Reticulation Operations in Two Months
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Water Services developed a full Works Management Application in just two months.
To find out more information and to watch the video click here.
4. Special Webinar on Progress with COVID Sewage Surveillance
We have an additional Essentials Webinar programmed for the 28 September 1:30 – 2:30 on Sewage Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2.
We are fortunate to have update presentations on both the successful national Collossos program (Dan Deere) and also on the Queensland-wide monitoring organised through Queensland Health (Jochen Mueller, UQ).
This is a great chance to catch up on how the sewer monitoring in being used to trace COVID outbreaks and how the information (and samples) you are providing are being used.
Registrations for this special webinar is now open. Please register here
5. QWRAP Webinar on Artificial Intelligence for CCTV Analysis
This information webinar is being convened by qldwater for QWRAP regions to better understand the advantages and costs of AI CCTV analysis. The webinar is also free for attendance by any Queensland Water and Sewerage Service Providers and will be held on 9:30 – 12 on Tuesday 21st September. The webinar includes presentations from three providers of AI technology (VAPAR, Abyss Solutions, Pipe AI) along with updates on trials by the Victorian IWN, Waterstart and Unity Water and discussion by Queensland service providers on recent experiences with CCTV programs. For more information or a link to the TEAMS meeting please contact webinar@qldwater.com.au.
6. Positions Available – Bundaberg Regional Council
Bundaberg Regional Council is looking for a ‘Civil Planning Team Leader’ and ‘Planning Manager’.
To find out more about these positions please click on the below links:
Civil Planning Team Leader
This exciting, newly created role will see you having a direct influence on long term planning that will help drive growth and development for the next 50 years. Your technical focus will be on leading the strategic infrastructure planning and programs for water and sewerage infrastructure and specifics will include master and detailed infrastructure plans, system optimisation plans, strategic and tactical asset management, and driving innovative water planning expertise using customer focused methodology.
https://www.mcarthur.com.au/jobs/details/civil-planning-team-leader/10287/
Planning Manager
A true leadership role in every sense, you will drive all aspects of Water and Wastewater planning using a customer focused mindset to deliver innovative solutions for both current and long-term community needs. There will be a strong emphasis on innovation within the asset management space, the development of future-focused capital works programs, and astute financial and budget management. Most importantly, you will provide the inspiration and direction needed to build a high-performing, collaborative team committed to excellence and continuous improvement.
https://www.mcarthur.com.au/jobs/details/planning-manager/10288/
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