eFlash #518
Date: 12-Jan-2022
In this edition: Maintaining services during the current COVID wave| DES Updating Model Conditions for STP’s| Annual Update - Queensland Bulk Water Opportunities Statement| Principal Sponsor for 2022 - GRENOF| Call for Papers – Livingstone Regional Conference 2022| Position Available – Cairns Regional Council
1. Maintaining services during the current COVID wave
By now everyone has probably been affected by the current COVID wave, but it has been good to hear from many members that COVID-safe practices are keeping water and sewerage services flowing. With numbers continuing to rise we expect many will be working even harder over the coming weeks. Rules and requirements are changing constantly so we are sharing general information here and providing updates on relevant issues through the members ZOHO Covid Forum. Some of the key issues are summarised below.
Close Contacts may still be able to perform essential roles.
The water and sewerage sector is now formally included as having critically essential workers following a media release last Sunday. A direct result is that there is a new exemption being developed for close contacts (who are required to quarantine) to continue to work if they are:
- essential to maintaining services for public health and safety
- asymptomatic,
- fully vaccinated, and
- under appropriate safety protocols.
Service Providers will need to supply a 'Critical Worker List' that describes these essential roles and RDMW has developed a useful template and other information to assist with this process and is working on a template ‘authorisation letter’ for designated staff. This is a moving feast so make use of the Departmental website and any formal emails like the one sent from OWSR at 1 pm today.
Relief Operators during an extreme shortage
We circulated an updated information sheet on sharing relief operators in mid-Dec with basic advice on considerations for any staff sharing in case of an emergency shortage. We are working with the Department to update a list of private providers that may be able to supply relief staff in an emergency or provide assistance with remote monitoring. We are also circulating information to QWRAP groups in case regional support is sought for water and sewerage skills. Please make the Department aware if you have issues with staff shortages.
Critical Chemicals, Supplies and RATs
We will work with the State and LGAQ to revisit the work done in 2020 to assess supply chains for chemicals and supplies if this issue becomes more critical as this COVID wave progresses. We have not yet heard of any such shortages, but the lack of RATs is a widespread issue. Rapid Antigen Tests form an essential part of the management processes for utilities, not to mention underpinning the State’s rules and requirements, but are proving difficult to source. We have been in contact with other utilities and this is a problem nationally. We’ll provide more information when a solution to this issue is developed.
2. DES Updating Model Conditions for STP’s
Late in December DES opened a consultation period on one aspect of the ongoing update to their sets of Model Conditions. “To promote consistency, conditions that are relevant to all Environmentally Relevant Activities have been separated from existing model condition sets, and now form this new Common Model Conditions set.” These are described in a new ‘Common Conditions Guideline’ that was circulated to the qldwater SWEAP in December and is available through the SWEAP ZOHO forum.
SWEAP has already been engaged during 2021 on the proposed changes for specific Model Conditions for STPs, which will be opened for public consultation early this year. This current consultation process separates out only the ‘common conditions’ and is open until February 25th. qldwater will work with SWEAP on a response, but if you wish to contribute feedback or have any questions or comments, please contact enquiry@qldwater.com.au by 17th February.
3. Annual Update – Queensland Bulk Water Opportunities Statement
The Queensland Government has recently published its annual update on the Queensland Bulk Water Opportunities Statement, QBWOS Part B: 2021 Program Update on the Department of Regional Development Manufacturing and Water website. To view the published statement, click here.
The companion Story Map to QBWOS and the data layer in the Queensland Globe are currently being updated and are expected to be available by the end of January 2022.
4. Principal Sponsor for 2022 - GRENOF
qldwater is excited to announce Grenof as our new Principal Sponsor for 2022. As part of their sponsorship, they will be sponsoring all of our regional conferences, Water Skills Forum and the Annual Forum.
Grenof is an Australian-owned company focused on providing innovative and sustainable solutions to the water, wastewater, and renewables sectors. Grenof’s core competency is providing product and service solutions for odour & corrosion problems through the delivery of their uniquely formulated Phodine™ which does not fall out of suspension like conventional MHL products. This chemical solution is underpinned by the supply of custom designed and fully controlled and maintained dosing systems.
Grenof is committed to continually delivering innovative product & service solutions to their customers and recently added a very exciting new brand to their expanding portfolio, Green Chlorine™ which aims to give end users greater control over price and quality of their chlorine supply requirements. Through this globally proven de-centralised model, Grenof’s clients will benefit from reduced manufacturing, storage, and freight costs through the installation of more efficient and simpler to operate smaller modular plants designed to service the local region.
Grenof further specialises in:
- Operation, maintenance and monitoring of water and wastewater assets.
- Operations and maintenance of chemical manufacturing facilities and chemical dosing stations.
- NATA certified pipeline accreditation and disinfection.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Grenof for becoming qldwater’s Principal Sponsor for 2022. We are excited about the possibilities this sponsorship will bring for you and our members.
5. Call for Papers – Livingstone Regional Conference 2022
qldwater is excited to announce our first regional conference for 2022 will be held in Yeppoon, kindly hosted by Livingstone Shire Council on the 24th & 25th of March.
Have you learnt something new that you would like to share? Or partnered with an external business who you could co-present with? We want to know! The call is now open for presentations to fill 20-25 minutes slots.
There will be a conference for Central Queensland Trade Waste Interest Group (CQTWIG) Conference taking place on Thursday 24th March. We will be joining them for a site tour on the afternoon of the 24th March.
Presentations from qldwater members or organisations able to co-present with members will always be prioritised. We aim to make the process as easy as possible: you will need to provide us with a brief outline now and a PowerPoint a couple of days before the event. Please forward your ideas to dcameron@qldwater.com.au.
There will also be a dinner held on the evening of Thursday 24th March.
Sponsorship opportunities are now open for the Livingstone Regional Conference. Please contact Naomi (ncarragher@qldwater.com.au) if you are interested in sponsoring this event.
To view our upcoming events please visit our website: https://qldwater.com.au/upcoming-events
6. Position Available – Cairns Regional Council
Project Manager Smart Water Meters (Fixed Term Full Time Until 2025)
Use your project management skills to deliver an exciting project and exceptional service to internal and external customers
- Are you looking for an exciting and innovative project to deliver for a Local Government organisation?
- Do you enjoy leading and being a part of a team?
- Are you seeking an opportunity that offers a Work Life Balance?
If you answered yes to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!
Did you know?
- The roll-out of Smart Water Meters is planned to make a significant contribution to Cairns’ water security by reducing water loss caused by leaks.
- Wireless technology will be used to record water usage data more frequently and more accurately without having to physically read the meter.
- The collection of data on a near real-time basis will improve the ability to identify any unusual activity such as water loss or reduction in water supply.
We offer the following benefits:
- 9-day fortnight
- Up to 5 weeks’ annual leave
- 12% contribution to superannuation
- 5% Annual leave loading
- Subsidised health and well-being membership (gym/swimming pool)
- On-going opportunities for learning and professional development relevant to the position
Your Team:
The Asset Services team plans, manages and delivers the region's water supply, sewerage and resource recovery infrastructure to meet the needs of the community today and ensure a sustainable future tomorrow. We work hard in a positive & supportive environment that values the contributions of each team member.
For a full listing of the Key Duties & Responsibilities and full Selection Criteria please ensure you obtain a copy of the information kit and how to apply by visiting the Cairns Regional Council website, scrolling to the Position Description area, then clicking on "Open" to download the attachment.
Enquiries: Cairns Regional Council Recruitment Team
Ph: (07) 4044 3310
Applications Close: Sunday, 30 January 2022