16 April 2009

DROUGHT UPDATE
Conditions in NSW were almost unchanged with the DPI declaring that as at mid March, 56.5% of NSW was officially drought affected. The area classified as marginal dropped to 9.6% and the area classified as satisfactory rose to 33.9%. DWE advised that 7 small NSW towns required water carting in March.

JOINT WATER DIRECTORATE/LGSA WATER LOSS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
At the end of March the number of participating Councils doubled the original submission estimate to 66 or effectively two thirds of rural and regional NSW. This is an exciting challenge for the dedicated Program team of three. As previewed in last month's newsletter, Ian Maggs, Stewart McLeod and I formed a discussion panel at a Water Leaders Congress in early March to promote the Water Loss Management Program. From the delegates' questions and comments we consider that there was considerable interest in both the topic and the concept of a program between the Water Directorate, the LGSA, local water utilities and the Federal Government. Program Manager Ian Maggs can be contacted on 02 9242 4127 or visit www.waterloss.lgsa.org.au.

RELEASE OF ODOUR MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
In March our latest publication was finalised and distributed to our 95 member Councils. This guideline was developed by MWH under the guidance and review of the Sewer Sub-Committee capably led by Doug Hill from Tamworth Regional Council.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW UPDATE
Submissions to the independent inquiry report were due on 20 March. It would be appreciated if member Councils' could send a copy of their latest submissions to me at gmitchell@waterdirectorate.asn.au. The Water Directorate and the LGSA requested and were granted extensions to co-ordinate further and to participate in the Reference Group and other working groups in March and April with one of the aims being to explore the details of the binding alliance model.

WRAP UP FROM THE 3RD ANNUAL NSW WIOA CONFERENCE
The 3rd NSW WIOA Conference was well attended with registrations in the order of 150 at Tamworth's excellent conference facility. The Water Directorate was pleased to sponsor and support WIOA's conference again in 2009 to help improve operational efficiency. Our Executive Committee is pleased to advise that the Water Directorate NSW Operator of the Year for 2009 is Ross Waugh of Coffs Harbour City Council. Congratulations to Ross who received his trophy from Chair Stewart McLeod at the awards dinner. The award recognises initiative, excellent performance and all round attention to detail. The judging criteria also includes: continuing education/training achievement; overall plant management and condition; demonstrated attention to OH&S and other regulatory responsibilities; initiative and innovation; and demonstrating improved treatment and efficiency. Ross is the first winner of the new professional development trip to the New Zealand Operators Conference in Dunedin in May. Ross joins the WIOA delegation as a participant on this trip along with WIOA Committee people, interested industry reps and other prize winners. This trip often includes a study tour of various water and wastewater treatment plants and processes as well as the conference. The 2 previous winners were Pat Welsh from MidCoast County Council in 2007 and Peter Hale from Shoalhaven Water in 2008. 2009 savewater!® AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN The savewater!® Awards are open this year to the whole industry at a national level and entries close on 1 June. Go to www.savewater.com.au to see entry forms and how previous winners of the 9 award categories have benefited from their success. The awards are an opportunity to reward and recognise water saving behaviour in your communities. The savewater!® Awards is now in its 7th year and has emerged as the leading Australian water sustainability awards. The Water Directorate is happy to be a supporter of the 2009 savewater!® Awards which will be presented at a gala dinner in Sydney on 9 October.

IPWEA NSW CONFERENCE, SHERATON ON THE PARK, SYDNEY CBD, 17-20 MAY
The Water Ditrectorate Executive Committee looks forward to catching up with member Council staff at the IPWEA NSW Annual Conference Excellence Awards and Water Stream paper presentations. We also look forward to finding out which council has been awarded the Water Directorate's 2009 Innovation Award in Water Supply and Wastewater. Congratulations to all nominated projects from Council members and the winner will be revealed at the Excellence Awards Dinner on Monday evening, 18 May. The Water Directorate commends Councils for taking this opportunity to promote staff and achievements, as well as raising project awareness within the local government water industry. The efforts of the presenters of technical papers in the Water and Stormwater Stream on Tuesday, 19 May are greatly appreciated. For more information contact Events Co-ordinator Roisin Mullan on 02 8267 3013.

CivEnEx 09 WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL DRAGWAY, EASTERN CREEK, 21-23 MAY
CivEnEx Sydney is the official IPWEA - NSW Local Govt and Public Works Engineers Field Days and follows directly on from the IPWEA NSW Conference. Check out the latest in equipment and products for public works, property maintenance, open space management and construction. 2009 will see the return of the demonstration area for earthworks, paving, mowers and sweepers. The Golden Bucket Association will be running their Mini Excavator and Skid Steer Rodeo, so polish up you skills and enter the competition! Free Admission and Plenty of Free Parking. CivEnEx is brought to you by IPWEA NSW Division. For more information contact Event Manager Frank Sticka on 02 9716 7391 or on 0411 890 381 or see www.civenex.com and watch the video.

WATER INDUSTRY COMPETITION ACT 2006
The Executive Committee wish to remind member Councils that the NSW Government introduced the Water Industry Competition Act 2006 (WICA) as part of its strategy for a sustainable water future to harness the innovation and investment potential of the private sector in the water and wastewater industries. At the same time, the Act establishes a licensing regime for private sector entrants to ensure the continued protection of public health, consumers and the environment. A corporation (other than a public water utility) must now obtain a licence under the Act to construct, maintain or operate any water industry infrastructure or to supply water (potable or non-potable) or provide sewerage services by means of any water industry infrastructure. For more information on the licensing regime please go to www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/water and to Overview of Licensing regime under the Water Industry Competition Act 2006.

AWA NSW BRANCH AWARDS RECEPTION, 20 MAY
AWA NSW invite all water industry professional to celebrate the announcement of the 'best of the best' at the IMAX Star Room. Contact Despina Hasapis NSW Branch Manager on 02 9467 8424.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING DATES
Meeting dates for 2009 are 7 May, 2 July, 3 September, 4 November and 5 November. Member Councils are reminded that they are welcome to forward water issues to me for referral to the Executive Committee meetings. For further information about membership or any water related issue, please contact me on 02 8267 3010 or gmitchell@waterdirectorate.asn.au.

Gary Mitchell
Executive Officer
© Copyright Water Directorate March 2009

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