Skills eFlash #134 New
Date: 14-Mar-2025
In this edition: Aqua and Brown Industry Cards | Workforce Survey Report | Water Skills Forum |
Water Meter Replacement, Repair and Removal
The Queensland Water Directorate sought legal advice on behalf of our members regarding their authority to install water meters. Previous guidance indicated that this practice was not permitted, as it contravened the Plumbing and Drainage Act. However, with recent updates to the Act, this issue has now been resolved in our favour. Below is a summary of the legal advice provided.
Authorised Persons & Appointment
Under Section 45 of the Water Supply Act, a service provider may appoint an authorised person if they:
- Possess the necessary expertise, experience, or have completed approved training.
- Can perform duties safely.
- Can mitigate risks to public health and safety.
Implications for Water Meter Work
- WSPs may have their operators repair, replace, or remove a water meter.
- Authorised persons CANNOT install a new device where one did not previously exist.
- Service providers must ensure proper training and competency.
- Public safety must be prioritised in all tasks.
- Maintain records of authorised persons and their qualifications.
Conclusion: Network operators (designated authorised persons) can repair, replace or remove a water meter. Authorised persons CANNOT install a new device where one did not previously exist.
qldwater is working with training providers to find availability to deliver the following units to support the proper training and competency requirement:
- CPCPCM2043 Carry out WHD requirements (prerequisite)
- CPCPWT3028 Install Property Services
For further guidance, please contact Sarah at qldwater to discuss or visit the ZOHO Water Skills Partnership page for a full copy of the legal advice.
Water Skills Partnership Update – Great Start to 2025!
Our first Water Skills Partnership (WSP) meeting kicked off with a fantastic turnout and some valuable discussions! A key focus was the implementation of the Cert II Careers Program and how councils are attracting new staff to the industry.
Looking ahead, we’re introducing a new initiative—each meeting, a WSP member will give a 5-minute regional snapshot to share insights from their area. This will help us stay connected, gain a broader perspective, and ensure no one feels like they’re working in a silo.
Following the success of our last meeting, we're gearing up for the next Water Skills Partnership (WSP) meeting in the week of 5 May. A Save the Date will be sent out in the coming weeks, along with a draft agenda.
Now’s your chance to shape the discussion! If there are any key topics or issues you’d like included, please let us know.
Deputy Chair Wanted!
Ever wanted to be second-in-command without all the pressure of being in charge? Now’s your chance! We need a Deputy Chair to help steer the group and keep things running smoothly. It’s a great way to get involved, contribute, and maybe even add a little something to your resume. Keen? Know someone who’d be perfect? Nominate yourself or a (lucky) colleague today!
Aqua and Brown Industry Cards
Great news! Our latest Industry Safety Card promotion has sparked a surge in training uptake! Don’t miss out—these essential safety cards are FREE for members!
Make sure your contractors are enrolled too, ensuring they meet council requirements. Let’s make it a key part of your Local Buy contracts and set the standard for safety!
Aqua Card
This course provides an overview of drinking water quality and how it can be affected by working on or around drinking water infrastructure.
Information this card covers includes:
- What contaminants are
- What risks they pose to the public
- How they can enter a drinking water system
- Your responsibilities and how to manage work in and around systems to reduce the risk of contaminants entering them.
Brown Card
This course is designed to provide you with an overview of the importance of, and requirements for, maintaining public health, minimising environmental harm and general workplace health and safety when working in, on or near sewerage and recycled water assets.
Information this card covers includes:
- Legislation, guidelines and standards
- Risks and safety
- Managing health risks
- Specific Types of Work/Tasks
- Sewage overflows/spills
- Your key responsibilities
These Industry cards were designed for industry, by industry and should be a key element in your annual staff training refresher. Contact us at Skills@qldwater.com.au to assist in bulk enrolment of your staff.
Water Skills Forum 2025
The future of Queensland’s water industry depends on a skilled and capable workforce. Join us at the Water Skills Forum 2025 to be part of the conversation on workforce challenges, skills development, and innovative solutions for the sector.
The event will kick off with a QUT (Queensland University of Technology) WISE Lab Tour and drinks reception to learn more about:
- New water treatment technologies, including a potentially energy- and cost-efficient means of removing PFAS from wastewater and biosolids
- Developing water sensing technologies for operational management
- A new Australian Government funded research centre to address industry challenges through the Internet of Things (IoT) for Water (ARC Research Hub - IoT for Water)
Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025 from 4.30 to 6.30 pm
Location: QUT Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane
The next day we will head to Parliament House where we will explore the theme “Putting People at the Heart of Innovation”.
Date: Thursday, 27 March 2025 from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm
Location: Parliament House, Brisbane
The forum will feature Water Skills Partnership members, industry leaders and training providers discussing critical workforce issues. For more information and to register, follow the link below.
https://qldwater.com.au/event/water-skills-forum-2025
Places are limited so secure your spot now and be part of the discussions that shape the future of Queensland’s water workforce!
TRILITY Courses
We are pleased to announce that two more TRILITY courses are now open for self-enrolment on the watertraining.com.au website.
FLUID FLOW
This course explains the principles of how pumps work, the reason for energy loss in flowing fluids, how fluid flow is controlled and problem solving fluid flow systems.
ISOLATION
This course explains why isolations are needed, the different methods used for isolations and risk management and isolations.
Two other TRILITY courses are also available, including Chemistry and Calculations. These introductory courses are great for new starters or for any staff that may need a bit more information about these particular topics.
MONITORING
This course explains the why and how of plant monitoring, and importantly what actions need to be taken as a result of monitoring the plant
We welcome feedback on these courses to ensure we continually improve on our learning materials. Some of the images are not that great, so if any of our members can share better quality images, we would greatly appreciate it!
Queensland Training Awards
Nominations are open for the Queensland Training Awards to honour individuals and organisations that achieve excellence in vocational education and training.
Categories include apprentices, trainees, teachers, trainers, employers, training providers and community organisations.
The awards highlight the value of training and open doors for winners and finalists, so we encourage our members to nominate. More information is available here.
Public Consultation – OSCA Maintenance Strategy
Help shape the Maintenance Strategy of the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) to ensure the classification remains relevant and useful to you and your organisation.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) invites you to have your say on how they update and maintain the classification, including timing and frequency, and how to prioritise submissions. Following your feedback, the OSCA Maintenance Strategy will be published in July 2025.
Complete a 15-minute questionnaire here.
A feedback guide is available, outlining the simple steps to participate and provide feedback.
Public consultation is open from Tuesday 11 March, 11.30am Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), and closes on Friday 4 April 2025, 11.59pm (AEDT).
Feedback they are seeking:
- Key components that should underpin how they maintain OSCA.
- Timing for each new update to OSCA.
- Barriers to implementation of OSCA.
- Framework for prioritising submissions.
Why is OSCA important?
OSCA supports governments, community groups, businesses and individuals like you to make efficient, accurate and informed decisions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 26 Mar Research and Education Tour and Drinks Reception, QUT
- 27 Mar Annual Water Skills Forum, Parliament House
- 12-15 May Water Connections Tour
- 20-21 Aug Annual Forum, qldwater offices, Eagle Farm. Brisbane
- 10-12 Sep WSAA Wastewater Source Management Network Meeting, qldwater offices, Eagle Farm