eFlash #546
Date: 03-Aug-2022
In this edition: Dave Cameron news| Urgent - Quick Survey for Water Operations Trainees – Due 4th August| The Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test – Enter Now!| qldwater Annual Forum – Early Bird Regos close Friday, strategy session information sheet!| CQTWIG Workshop Recordings Now Available| Position Available – Redland City Council
1. Dave Cameron news
To all qldwater members and stakeholders
I regret to advise my resignation from qldwater having been offered a new role with Irrigation Australia.
The decision to leave an organisation and industry I’m very proud of has been a very difficult one to make. qldwater has great staff and a committed and passionate group of industry stakeholders who shape our work.
My last day with the business will be 9 September. I hope to catch up with as many people as possible at our annual forum at the Gold Coast.
Dave Cameron
2. Urgent – Quick Survey for Water Operations Trainees – Due 4th August
The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training has asked for some demand data to support a qldwater business case to reopen “Skills Assure Supplier” arrangements for newer Registered Training Organisations. There is no guarantee of success as it would require a special case for water operations only.
“Skills Assure Suppliers” are training providers whose enrolled learners can access Queensland Government subsidies. This has been an issue for some time but has become acute with the decision of TAFE Queensland to step away from water operations training.
Please respond to Anna Mehonoshen AMehonoshen@qldwater.com.au ASAP with the number of trainees expected for your organisation as per the following table – we are aiming to collate the results and report by 4 August.
*Current = for example you have students who were enrolled with TAFE and are in the process of transitioning to a new provider
**Urgent = you have been to market for a training provider or are about to
3. The Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test – Enter Now!
Back by popular demand and open to all qldwater members, the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test competition will establish who has the best tasting tap water in Queensland in 2022. If you plan to enter a sample at our Annual Forum in September, now is the time to start thinking about your top drop. Some of our members take the competition more seriously than others and even host their own taste test events to select their best sample to enter!
Each year the competition gets bigger and better. Since its inception in 2011, the competition now crosses borders with WIOA taking the challenge to NSW with the Water of Origin Taste Test. Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania followed with the first National Ixom Australia Best of the Best Tasting Tap Water competition held in 2015.
We are also thrilled to announce that TracWater has signed up as the sponsor for the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test for 2022!
To enter the taste test competition, please fill out the entry form here.
4. qldwater Annual Forum – Early Bird Regos Close Friday!
Early Bird Registrations close next week Friday 5th August.
The Queensland Water Directorate (qldwater) invites you to join us for our Annual Forum on the Gold Coast 6th-8th September 2022.
The qldwater Annual Forum is being held on the 7th & 8th of September with an additional ‘Innovation and Research Showcase’ being held on the 6th of September.
This year’s forum is being graciously hosted by City of Gold Coast with most events based at HOTA – Home of the Arts and a day tour around the Gold Coast. Council’s generous support has allowed us to make the leap into professional AV for this growing event and we’d like to acknowledge the management team including our SPG rep, Chris Owen, for making this possible.
A copy of the draft programs for the three days is available on our event website.
If you have not been to one of our forums before, it is not something you will want to miss! A chance to network with 100 plus water industry professionals, typically including 30 plus councils/utilities.
This year our focus is trying to get as many people to attend in person as possible. It will be a great opportunity to network with likeminded people, as such there will be no virtual registrations for this forum.
Day 1 – Research and Innovation Showcase - 6 September
For the last few years, the first day of the qldwater Annual Forum has focussed on a technical topic of broad interest to members with 2021 looking at automated metering. 2022 is a bit of everything, kindly supported by members of the SEQ Research and Innovation Group and Water Services Association of Australia. Join us to hear about the kinds of technologies water and sewerage service providers should be considering in the coming decade, short presentations from water service providers on a number of water and sewerage examples available now, approaches to help develop business cases and opportunities for joint investment in initiatives – getting better bang for buck from a whole industry approach. Our themes for the event ensure it will be as inclusive as possible:
- Fit for purpose/ place
- Utility led, not vendors
- Whole of life cycle cost considerations
- Engaging for a broad audience including regional and remote providers
- Doesn’t have to be a “whole thing” – can include process enhancements, tweaks and simple things to deliver value
Day 2 – Tours and fun stuff 7 September
We have site tours lined up for the Tugun desalination plant with thanks to Seqwater, and Merrimac recycled water projects with thanks to City of Gold Coast, where there has been a major investment and a range of new completed construction and cool stuff to check out.
The rest of the day will include lunch in the park by the beach at Australia’s tourism capital (under marquees just in case), the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test, some presentations from City of Gold Coast on local issues and challenges and the annual vendor pitches – which support scholarships for qldwater members to attend industry events.
Day 2 – Conference dinner 7 September
A great opportunity to network with industry representatives from across the state, with entertainment supplied via “A beer and a chat with the Elder Water Professionals.”
Day 3 – Industry strategy 8 September
New – information sheet
We are still finalising our guest invitations but this is our chance each year to work through broader industry strategy (the qldwater “Roadmap”) to consider how we incorporate the significant disruptions over the last couple of years and adapting water businesses to the “new normal.” The focus issues will largely be determined by you, but many members are dealing with increasing pressures around supply chain, increasing regulation, extreme events and betterment, population growth, sourcing skills including operations and different ways staff work.
Always highly interactive and thought-provoking, the strategy day is critical in shaping qldwater’s advocacy on your behalf.
Thank you to our other sponsors Grenof - Principal Sponsor, Veolia – Platinum Sponsor, Calibre – Gold/Dinner Sponsor, Simmonds & Bristow – Silver/Lunch Sponsor, Endress+Hauser – Silver/Lunch Sponsor, Royce Water Technology – Vendor Pitch Sponsor, Taggle – Vendor Pitch Sponsor, SUEZ – Vendor Pitch Sponsor, Concept Environmental Services – Vendor Pitch Sponsor.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available across the three days. If you are interested in sponsoring any of the days, please contact Naomi Carragher on 07 3632 6850 or ncarragher@qldwater.com.au.
This is a great opportunity to connect with your peers across the state. We hope to see you there!
5. CQTWIG Workshop Recordings Now Available
It has taken a while, but qldwater members can now view all the recordings of presentations from the Central Queensland Trade Waste Interest Group (CQTWIG) Workshop held in Yeppoon in May 2022.
Presentations included trade waste updates from Urban Utilities, Livingstone, Rockhampton and Bundaberg, as well as:
- how to assess trade waste applications under the Queensland Plumbing & Wastewater Code 2019,
- an update on the Australian Wastewater Quality Management Guidelines,
- assessing non-conventional trade waste discharges,
- an overview of qCRAC – a collaboration on contaminants of concern for Queensland’s urban water industry
- ultra-spin technology – treating water with respect
- the future of trade waste – what does it look like and where does it best fit?
Please note the page is in our Member Only zone, so log in before clicking the link https://qldwater.com.au/cqtwig-2022
6. Position Available – Redland City Council
Environmental Management Systems Coordinator
Maximum Term Contract Full Time - 36.25hours per week - until 06/09/2024
$81,276.69to $84,815.96 Annually+ up to 12% super
RCC Officers' Level 5
A Career with RCC
Redland City Council (RCC) is situated on the naturally wonderful Redlands Coast, which includes the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, mainland suburbs and rural hinterland which is located east of Brisbane. RCC offers you the chance to improve lives and shape your own career. You’ll enjoy diverse work and opportunities to grow, working in a truly special community and a region of outstanding natural beauty. In return for your passion and commitment to moving Redland City forward, we offer great benefits and the balance you need to bring the best you. Visit our careers website to find out more and meet some of our wonderful team.
The Opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for candidates who are passionate about Council's environmental responsibilities under the Environmental Management System (EMS). You will facilitate continuous improvement of the EMS to ensure council is fulfilling its obligations through on-site inspections, practical approaches, problem solving and interpersonal collaboration.
This role is initially being offered as a 24 month maximum term contract with the potential for ongoing opportunities.
About you
First and foremost , you'll need to live and breathe our values, as they are fundamental to the way we go about our work and the relatonships we build. You can find these on our website.
To be successful in this role you will also possess the following attributes:
- A self starter with exceptional data analysis and report writing skills.
- You will be an effective team member and communicator who can deliver outstanding coaching and guidance to internal stakeholders.
- A proficiency in developing, implementing and auditing of environmental management systems (EMS), environmental authorities, licenses and permits.
- Have a working knowledge of ISO standards and legislation including the Environmental Protection Act, Local Government Act, Council's Local Laws and State and Commonwealth legislation.
- Well-developed organisational, time management and prioritisation skills with a strong attention to detail and the capacity to work well in a fast-paced environment.
Eligibility requirements
- You hold a professional qualification in Environmental Science, Environmental Management or related discipline.
- You have a current C Class Drivers' Licence
- Successful applicants will be asked to consent to a police check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.
- To be eligible for employment, applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia.
Benefits
As an employee you will enjoy a range of benefits which may include:
- Access to flexible working arrangements;
- Generous leave provisions such as paid parental leave and purchased leave scheme including 17.5% loading on annual leave;
- Access to professional and leadership development programs and education/study assistance;
- Mentoring and coaching opportunities to increase your industry knowledge and professional and business acumen;
- Secondment opportunities for career development;
- Reward and recognition programs;
- Wellness programs, social club and employee assistance program.
To apply
Applications will only be accepted through Council’s Web Recruitment system or through OURspace for current Council employees. Hard copy and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
To be considered, applicants must submit a:
- Cover letter (one page); and
- Current resume that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of this role. Please read the Position Description and resume-based application instructions before applying for this role.
RCC utilises a merit-based recruitment process which may include various testing methods, such as psychometric testing and requesting the submission of a short video application from candidates after the advertisement closes.
Specific information on the position (201180) can be obtained by contacting Salim VHORA on (07) 3829 8437. Applications for this position close at 11:59 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on 14/08/2022.
Applications will not be accepted from a third party.
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