eFlash #549
Date: 24-Aug-2022
In this edition: CEO Update – Linda Roberts/ Dave Cameron| The Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test – Last Chance to Enter!| AWA QLD Technical Event: The Untold Stories of Water Sector Resilience – Rescheduled to Wednesday 31st August| Upcoming Fundamentals Webinar - Register Now!
1. CEO Update – Linda Roberts/ Dave Cameron
qldwater has seen significant change for a small organisation over the last 3 months with two very experienced staff in Rob Fearon and Dave Cameron moving on to new opportunities. The legacy which has been built over the last 10 plus years remains at the core of what we do at qldwater and the breadth and experience of the broader team (https://qldwater.com.au/qldwater_staff) is part of that legacy.
With any change comes risks but also opportunities. The potential for loss of corporate knowledge has been addressed with thorough transition arrangements, qldwater has been planning and building capacity and redundancy for a very long time, and we have recruited well. An upside is that there are new eyes within the team providing an opportunity for a refreshed view moving forward.
The foundations are embedded to continue serving our members and the strong advocacy platform which qldwater and the Queensland urban water industry are known for. There are ongoing and emerging issues which require qldwater to be aligned and have an in-depth understanding of the industry. This alignment is based on strong connections, hence maintaining established relationships with key stakeholders, partners and members will be a priority. We are particularly proud of the committed industry professionals who participate in our Strategic Priorities Group, under the current leadership of Narelle D’Amico.
The Annual Forum on the Gold Coast provides an opportunity to update the industry Roadmap and materialise essential objectives. One of the key initiatives our organisation has been keen to establish for a while is a more formal arrangement where Queensland Government can work with qldwater and other key stakeholders to take a more strategic approach to jointly manage risks to the provision of sustainable urban water and sewerage essential services in Queensland. To date there have been discussions about establishing an industry cross-agency working group however little movement. Continuing to push for this establishment will provide a vehicle for achieving the objectives of the Roadmap. There will be more to come on this in coming weeks after the Annual Forum and the SPG meeting September 9th, but our aim will be to develop over time a tangible action plan with government to tackle key long term strategic challenges, and emerging threats.
The qldwater team, with the support of the members, the industry and government partners will continue to lead the advocacy and servicing required to help guide and shape the future.
2. The Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test – Last Chance to Enter!
Taste Test Entries this Friday 26th August.
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.
3. AWA QLD Technical Event: The Untold Stories of Water Sector Resilience – Rescheduled to Wednesday 31st August
qldwater members are invited to attend the next AWA Queensland Branch Technical Event to hear a panel of experts share their untold stories of resilience in the water sector. From floods, cyclones, bushfires and ‘rain bombs’, weather events and natural disasters are dynamic in nature, and unique in the impacts they have on our communities, our water ways and our water infrastructure. The water industry, as it is known for, works incredibly hard to keep its critical services running, to get them back in action as soon as possible, and to improve their resilience for the future. This session will share the stories and hard-learned lessons by those who have worked tirelessly to improve the resilience of our communities in the water sector.
Panellists:
Vanessa Thompson, Urban Utilities
Peter Manning, Gympie Regional Council
Cody Bemis, Unitywater
NEW Date: Wednesday 31 August 2022
Time: Registration from 5.15pm for 5.30pm
Venues: AECOM Office, 8/540 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley with regional hub events at the AECOM offices in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton and a virtual option also available
qldwater members are invited to attend at AWA member prices, please choose the ‘Member’ registration option when registering for your preferred location or online. More information and registration is available at: https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events/qld-august-tech-event. Please contact Carlie Sargent on csargent@awa.asn.au or 0418 759 450 with any queries.
4. Upcoming Fundamentals Webinar - Register Now!
qldwateris pleased to invite you to our next Fundamentals Webinar on Thursday 15th September, 10am-11am, AEST with the topic ‘Fundamentals of Trickle Filters’, presented by Terry Fagg, Western Downs Regional Council who recently reached 40 years of service in the industry.
The Fundamentals webinars are focused on providing practical demonstrations of common water and wastewater treatment and network operations tasks.
Please register in advance via the below link to ensure you don’t miss out!
Register Now
Please contact qldwater webinar@qldwater.com.au with any queries about previous or future webinars or to discuss sponsorship opportunities.