Our VISION
Established in 1999, the Water Directorate provides focused technical information to its members. Our aims include:

• providing an independent source of advice to councils on water and sewerage operations
• promoting a more efficient operation of Local Government water and sewerage infrastructure;
• providing direction on technical issues;
• providing networking opportunities for water and sewerage engineers to share knowledge and improve communication within the industry

Our MEMBERS
The Water Directorate currently has 95 members. Membership of the Water Directorate is open to all councils and county councils providing water supply and/or sewerage services to local government areas in NSW.

The profile of the Water Directorate is high amongst various industry bodies with representatives attending the Department of Water and Energy's Liasion Committee meeting in conjunction with the Local Government and Shires Associations. The Water Directorate is an associate member of WSAA and has established strong links with the Australian Water Association and other relevent State Government Departments.

Our EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The strength of the Executive Committee is its depth of technical and managerial knowledge combined with the balance it creates between large and small councils from all areas of rural and regional NSW.

Comprised of 20 representatives, 18 elected from the membership and 2 nominated from the NSW Local Government and Shires Associations, the committee meets on a regular basis to discuss the activities and direction of the Water Directorate.

Representatives are elected every two years with nominations provided by General Managers of member councils. If more than 2 nominations are received from a particular region, an election is held with only General Managers eligible to vote.

Our PRIORITIES IN 2011
Over the next 12 months the Water Directorate will prepare and publish the following technical documents:

• Fire Flows Design Guidelines
• Overview of Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2010
• Land Acquisitions Manual Updated version of the O&M Manual for STPs

At the Executive Committee planning meeting in November 2010 our strategic directions were confirmed:

• Continue to provide a high quality technical and advisory base for our members.
• Explore ways to better support and service members and harness our members knowledge.
• Strengthen and develop our external relationships and create relationship opportunities for our members.
• Provide a strong presence in shaping and influencing Government policy.
• Build a stronger profile and brand in the industry.
• Ensure our activities address sustainable water cycle management incorporating climate change and carbon emissions.
• Encourage and assist members to achieve industry best practice.

Constitution of the Water Directorate
The Constitution of the Water Directorate was revised in 2011 to comply with the introduction of the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 and Associations Incorporation Regulation 2010 which commenced on 1 July 2010. The mandatory amendments were adopted by 75% of our membership and passed by a special resolution of the Executive Committee on 14 July 2011. A copy can be downloaded here.

Further INFORMATION
Information on the membership and activities of the Water Directorate can be obtained by contacting the Executive Officer, Gary Mitchell, on 8267 3010 or gmitchell@waterdirectorate.asn.au