eFlash #547
Date: 11-Aug-2022
In this edition: NPR Review Update| qldwater Interim CEO| Building and Plumbing Newsflash 606| Awesome Operators Recognised at WIOA Conference| The Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test – Enter Now!| qldwater Annual Forum – Registrations Closing Soon!| Position Available – Cairns Regional Council
1. NPR Review Update
The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that it will be releasing the NPR review final report soon but has not been able to provide a date because its implementation and resourcing will depend on a new funding agreement with the States and Territories being worked out and agreed to.
However, as members are aware, there is no change to the current NPR collection for this reporting year, and BoM (supported by RDMW) intend to only make minimal changes, such as, removing redundant indicators and small/minor definitional edits, corrections, and clarifications to next years’ (2022/23) reporting. This will give Service Providers time to start collecting data on any new NPR indicators for future reporting.
2. qldwater Interim CEO
With the resignation of Dave Cameron we are pleased to advise that the IPWEAQ board has appointed Linda Roberts as Interim CEO, effective 12 September 2022. Dave will be working with Linda on transition/ handover up to his final day (9 September).
Further announcements on the longer term arrangements for the role (and Linda’s substantive position of Director, Innovation Partnerships) will be made when they are resolved.
3. Building and Plumbing Newsflash 606
Southern Downs Regional Council has been approved to opt-in to the Queensland Development Code (QDC) for supplementary water supply systems. From 1 July 2022, all new residential and commercial buildings within the reticulated water network will be required to have a rainwater tank installed as part of the build.
To our knowledge this is one of only a few times this has happened since the current legislation has been in place.
To find out more information, click here.
4. Awesome Operators Recognised at WIOA Conference
The 46th WIOA Queensland Conference ended on a high note as Operators from across Queensland gathered to acknowledge the great work of the critical essential workers that keep the water in our taps running and wastewater cleaned, and qldwater was proud to sponsor the Operator of the Year (Civil / Allrounder) and the Young Operator of the Year awards once again.
Because of the great entries received, we also added a highly commended award for each of the categories.
Operator of the Year (Civil / Allrounder)
The very worthy recipient of the 2022 Operator of the Year Award is Harris Tahau from Redland City Council. Harris was nominated for his great ideas to improve the efficiency and safety of his team, his excellence in customer service and for raising awareness around mental health. Harris will receive a professional development opportunity to the value of $1500.
David Rauchle from the City of Gold Coast was awarded a Highly Commended, receiving a glowing reference from his employer for his commitment to the job and his team members.
Young Operator of the Year
The 2022 Young Operator of the Year is Exavier Evile from Urban Utilities whose competence saw him promoted to Treatment Plant Operator within 11 months of joining the water industry. Exavier is big on trends and processes to optimise work flows, and great at passing on his knowledge to his team mates. Exavier will get an opportunity to join WIOA for its NZ tour (and also takes the prize for the best speech of the evening).
Matthew Gosper from Mackay Regional Council received a Highly Commended. Matthew started as a Water Industry Worker Trainee before securing a permanent role as Water Treatment Operator at the Sarina Water Recycling Facility.
Other Awards
The 2022 Awards evening included tributes to many of our members, including:
Best Paper Overall – Shaun Johnston from North Burnett Regional Council
Best Paper by an Operator
- Tim Merrett from North Burnett Regional Council
- David Barry from Aqualift
- Mark Vairy from Mackay Regional Council
Best Poster by an Operator – Brian Savage from City of Logan
2022 Ixom Water of Origin Winner QLD – Mackay Regional Council, Marian WTP
Main Tapping Competition – City of Gold Coast, “The Bellends” – Jarryd Casey & Hugh Wilson
Neil Wilcox from Suez took out the Leon Henry Operator of the Year award.
It was great to catch up with many of our members and to support WIOA in this great event. To read more about the award winners, click here.
5. 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.
6. qldwater Annual Forum – Registrations Closing Soon!
Registrations Closing Friday 19th 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
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!
7. Two Positions Available – Cairns Regional Council
Water and Environment Systems Officer (2 x Positions Available)
Salary Range: $76,500.84 - $86,689.08 per annum
Location: 119 - 145 Spence Street, Cairns
Reference Number: 14066
Close Date: Sunday, 21 August 2022
- Do you have keen interest in environmental and drinking water management?
- Do you enjoy being a part of a collaborative team?
- Are you seeking an opportunity to use your skills and knowledge for positive change in a diverse and interesting workplace?
If you answered yes to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!
We offer the following benefits:
- 19-day month
- 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 Water and Environment team are a talented group working to achieve effective and efficient management system support to our internal customers. Our goal is to provide confidence to achieve organisational success through leadership and support.
Who we are:
Cairns Regional Council is an equal opportunity employer, promoting workplace diversity and a safety culture with a smoke free environment.
Develop your career with Cairns Regional Council, an innovative employer that listens, respects and values your contribution. We’re proud of our community and the key role you can play in making the Cairns region a great place to live, work and learn.
Your turn, now we want to hear about you!
- Qualifications
- Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- People Oriented Skills & Attributes
To apply, candidates will need to visit our Mercury recruitment system (I have included a link below) and apply directly through there. Cairns Regional Council - Mercury eRecruit
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