8 December 2005

MERRY CHRISTMAS

On behalf of the Executive Committee , Merry Christmas and a peaceful 2006 to all member councils and readers of this newsletter.

EVENTS IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005

The Water Directorate is a voluntary association of councils and county councils that operate water and/or sewer businesses in regional NSW. Our monthly newsletter seeks to inform member councils and all sectors of the NSW Local Government Water Industry of the developments that have taken place regarding technical issues and networking during November and December 2005 and of coming events. This newsletter is sent to General Managers and to Water and Sewer Managers in 105 regional councils in NSW and also to approximately 125 contacts in government departments and private industry across Australia. We hope you enjoy this newsletter.

2005 NSW GOVERNMENT GREEN GLOBE AWARDS FOR WATER

In November the 2005 NSW Government Energy and Water Green Globe Awards were presented by Minister Scully at Parliament House. Of the thirteen awards presented, the major award is the Water Smart Champion which recognises an outstanding individual who has demonstrated commitment and innovation to the values of water. I am very pleased to advise that Daryl McGregor, Manager of Albury Water is the recipient of this award. Daryl is also the Chair of the Water Directorate and he has been recognised for a career spanning 30 years spent improving the delivery of more efficient water and waste water services to homes and businesses. Daryl's latest Albury Water project will help save more than 900 million litres of drinking water per year. In addition, congratulations to Macleay Water, Kempsey Shire Council for winning the Integrated Water Cycle Management Award and congratulations again to Albury Water for also winning the Water Conservation, Reuse and Recycling Award.

2005 NSW PREMIER'S PUBLIC SECTOR AWARDS

Also in November, the 2005 NSW Premier's Public Sector Awards were presented by Premier Iemma for eight categories at the Sydney Conservatorium. Congratulations go to the Department of Energy, Utilities & Sustainability for winning the Environment and Natural Resources Gold Award for its National Green Power and Accreditation Program from a field of 12 nominations. Congratulations also to the Dept of Lands and the Dept of Commerce for a commended award for the Tingha Sewerage Scheme in the same category.

PROJECT UPDATE

The next Water Directorate publication will be the Guideline for Impacts of STPs beyond the Property Boundary which is expected to be finalised early in the New Year and hopefully will be distributed to member councils by the end of February 06.

CORRECTION

A news item in the October newsletter regarding funding for Catchment Management Authorities is misleading. The item details the funding allocations to 9 of 13 NSW CMAs however one CMA has advised that the funding activities are only a brief summary and do not fully represent what the funds will achieve. The news item was cut and pasted unaltered from the source and no deception was intended.

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT SIGNED AT AWA NSW BRANCH REGIONAL CONFERENCE

In November the Water Directorate and AWA signed an updated Memorandum of Agreement at the AWA NSW Branch Regional Conference at Dubbo. The MoA supersedes the MoU signed at the AWA NSW Branch Regional Conference at Albury in 1999. A plan will be developed to implement the agreed actions.

COASTAL CATCHMENTS INITIATIVE TO BE ROLLED OUT ACROSS STATE JURISDICTIONS

The Coastal Catchment Initiative (CCI) is part of the Howard government's plan to implement a national salinity remediation plan and a remediation plan for Australia 's coastal water, especially urban "hot spots". The CCI is expected to deliver significant reductions in the discharge of pollutants into coastal and urban water. Water quality improvement plans will be prepared consistently with the Framework for Marine and Estuarine Water Quality Protection. The Framework builds on key elements of the National water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) and National Principles for the Provisions of Water for Ecosystems. Source: Dept of Environment & Heritage courtesy PwCLegal's newsletter eNNa vol 41. To subscribe contact robyn.grogan@pwclegal.com.au

NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR WATER RECYCLING CONSULTATION FORUM, SYDNEY, 15 DECEMBER

There is considerable pressure to increase water recycling to cope with ongoing drought and increasing demand for water. Water recycling programs are being developed by all jurisdictions as key elements of integrated water cycle management. Recycling, particularly substitution for non-drinking water uses of potable water, is seen as critical to effectively managing demand and deferring expensive new infrastructure. Consequently the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) have developed draft National Guidelines for Water Recycling. The guidelines comprise a risk management framework and specific guidance on managing the health risks and the environmental risks associated with the use of recycled water. The National Guidelines for Water Recycling - Managing Health and Environmental Risks and a report National Guidelines for Water Recycling - Managing Health and Environmental Risks - Impact Assessment, which assesses the likely impacts of a move to a national risk management framework, can be downloaded at http://www.ephc.gov.au/ephc/water_recycling.html .

The guidelines initially focus on: large-scale treated sewage and grey-water to be used for: residential garden watering, car washing, toilet flushing and clothes washing; irrigation for urban recreational and open space, and agriculture and horticulture; fire protection and fire fighting systems; industrial uses, including cooling water; and grey-water treated on-site (including in high rise apartments and office blocks) for use for garden watering, car washing, toilet flushing and clothes washing.

Phase 2 of the guideline development, anticipated to commence in 06, will focus on stormwater reuse, aquifer storage and recovery as a method of recycling reclaimed water and potable use of recycled water. The release of a draft set of guidelines by the Councils gives organisations and individuals the opportunity to be informed about the guideline development process and to provide comment that can be taken into account prior to their finalisation. The purpose of the document is to provide guidelines for assessing risk (rather than to provide a 'how to' manual for water recycling), and a particular focus will be placed on obtaining feedback from the public consultation process as to the utility of the guidelines for different types of users. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 13 January 2006 . To assist your consideration of the guidelines a stakeholder forum will be held in Sydney at 11 am - 2 pm, on Thursday, 15 December in the James Cook Room at the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, 61 - 101 Phillip Street. Presenters who have been involved in the development of the guidelines will provide an overview and will be participate in the discussion.

To confirm your attendance or for further information on the forum please contact: Haemish Middleton, NEPC Service Corp, on 08 84191209, hmiddleton@ephc.gov.au

A workshop will also be held on Monday, 12 December at the Leichhardt Room in the Mercure Hotel, 85-87 North Quay Brisbane at 9:30am to 12:30pm .

WATERAID AUSTRALIA

At Christmas time we should reflect on the 1.1 billion people who don't have a safe supply of water for their basic needs close to their homes and the 2.4 billion people who don't have access to effective sanitation. WaterAid Australia partners with local organisations that undertake the direct day to day management and implementation of water projects in the developing world. As a Corporate Member of WaterAid Australia , the Water Directorate encourages our member councils to become WaterAid Australia members to support WaterAid's vision of a world where everyone has access to safe water and effective sanitation. It is encouraging to see that some member councils have become WaterAid Australia members. For more information, please contact CEO Chris Wootton on 03 9872 1732.

WSAA INFRASTRUCTIURE PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS NETWORK

The Water Directorate has nominated a representative to be on WSAA's IPAM network and to participate in future workshops.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The series of 6 meetings in 2005 is now complete. Thanks to Brian Carter, Carl Peterson, Daryl McGregor and Doug Hill for attending all 6 meetings throughout 2005. Special recognition goes again to Carl Peterson who has attended all 43 Executive Committee meetings and 3 AGMs since the Water Directorate was established 7 years ago. Thanks also goes to the General Managers of the 17 councils from which the Executive Committee members are drawn from for allowing the time to attend these meetings and to participate in the publication of technical advice for the benefit of the entire NSW local government water industry.

Executive Committee meetings will be held in February, March, May, July, September and November with most dates still to be confirmed. The first meeting in 2006 is scheduled for Thursday, 2 February and will be a planning meeting to consider the projects to be undertaken next year. Member councils are welcome to forward suggested projects to me for referral to the Executive Committee meetings. For information about membership or any water related issue, please contact me on 8267 3010 or gmitchell@waterdirectorate.asn.au

For more information contact: