3 September 2009

MEMBERSHIP FEES DUE
Membership fees are due for 2009/10 and invoices were sent out in July. Thanks to the 81 member Councils that have renewed their membership at the end of August. In addition to technical support and networking opportunities with all member councils, the following technical publications are planned to be delivered throughout 2009/10: Update of the 2002 Backflow and Cross Connection Prevention Guidelines; Design of Fireflows Guidelines; Land Acquisition Guidelines; and Carbon Footprint & Climate Change position paper.

DROUGHT UPDATE
Conditions in NSW were unchanged with the DPI declaring that as at mid August, 64% of NSW was officially drought affected. The area classified as marginal increased slightly to 12% and the area classified as satisfactory worsened slightly to 24%. Note that this time last year the figures were approximately 66%, 19% and 15% respectively.

JOINT WATER DIRECTORATE/LGSA WATER LOSS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
Signatures from the three partners formalising the extended program are imminent. A formal announcement is also looming about how the Federal Government, Water Directorate and LGSA have positioned the program for the best run to the finish line. When approved the extended five year program will run until mid 2011and ensure that all participating Councils complete their projects and maximise their water savings and transfer of knowledge. For more information please contact Program Manager Ian Maggs on 02 9242 4127 or visit www.waterloss.lgsa.org.au

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW UPDATE
The DWE website in August is unchanged and advises that DWE and other NSW Govt agencies are considering the submissions to the Independent Inquiry Report and undertaking further analysis of the report recommendations. The NSW Govt is expected to release its response to the Independent Inquiry Report in mid 2009.

PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM
In early June Premier Rees announced the biggest structural reform to the NSW public sector in more than 30 years by creating 13 super depts from 160 state agencies. At the end of August DWE and its website exists unchanged. The abolition of DWE and the transfer of the water function into the Office of Water within DECCW depends on the necessary legislation to be enacted.

DEFINITELY LAST CALL FOR 2009 LGSA WATER MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE,
DENILIQUIN, 9-11 SEPTEMBER
The 2009 Water Management Conference will be held in Deniliquin on Wednesday, 9 to Friday, 11 September. Online registration, registration forms, program and travel information might still be available at www.WaterConference.lgsa.org.au The Water Directorate is pleased to conduct the popular interactive Water Managers' Forum for the 7th year on 10 September which will cover a range of issues associated with: Pressure Sewerage Systems; IWCM; Data collection for Bureau of Meteorology; and open discussion time. Enquiries should be directed to Michelle Muller on 02 9242 4031 or michelle.muller@lgsa.org.au

LAST CALL FOR AWA'S 1ST NATIONAL SOURCE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE,
MELBOURNE, 8-10 SEPTEMBER
This event will be the first time AWA will bring those working in trade waste together on a national level. The conference will comprise of 2 days of presentations in the areas of Best Practice Management; Case Studies - Source Management/ Trade Waste Officers; Cleaner Production; Legal Issues; Research; Resource Efficiency Projects; and Treatment Processes into the Future. For more information go to www.awa.asn.au/events/nsmc

NATIONAL 2009 SAVEWATER! AWARDS - 31 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
In early August, a judging panel announced 31 finalists in 7 categories from over 700 entries. These awards have emerged as the leading water sustainability awards in Australia. The 2009 program attracted entries from the UK, USA, Africa, Canada and NZ in the first international category. Two of the 31 finalists are NSW LWUs MidCoast Water and Port-Macquarie-Hastings Council competing against each other in the award category for Government/Water Utilities. Congratulations and good luck to these two Councils when winners are announced at the awards Gala Ceremony in Sydney on 9 October.

BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY WATER INFORMATION SEMINAR SERIES 2009
BoM's website advises that national water reform is accelerating under the Australian Government's Water for the Future program, a $12.9 billion investment to secure long-term water supply for all Australians. The program includes a significant commitment to reforming water information, led by BoM and supported by water data supplying agencies in the States and Territories. A series of 1 day seminars around Australia will be held in September and October. For more information about the National Water Information Seminar Series 2009 please visit http://www.bom.gov.au/water/announcements/upcoming_seminars.shtml

WATER ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD
Following on from the previous news item, in August two documents were distributed by WASB, an independent advisory Board to BoM. The two documents are intended for reference, consideration and possible feedback. The first document is a Water Accounting Conceptual Framework (WACF) to guide the development of the Australian Water Accounting Standards (AWAS) for the Preparation & Presentation of General Purpose Water Accounting Reports (GPWAR). The second document is the Preliminary Australian Water Accounting Standard (PAWAS) and associated Model Report. The Board invites feedback on the documents to wasbofeedback@bom.gov.au

WATERAID AUSTRALIA CHRISTMAS CARDS NOW AVAILABLE
Purchasing your Christmas cards through WaterAid Australia will help their great work which aims to achieve a world where everyone has access to safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education. As a Corporate Member of WaterAid Australia, the Water Directorate also encourages our 95 member Councils to become WaterAid Australia members to support their vision. Also please subscribe to WaterAid Australia's free eNewsletter by going to www.wateraid.org.au and filling in your email address on the 'Stay Informed' section. For more information, please contact CEO Adam Laidlaw on 03 9872 1732. Water industry staff interested in donating to WaterAid Australia can do so directly on-line or visit the site to learn more or get involved.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING DATES
Meeting dates are 3 Sep, 11 & 12 Nov. Contact me on gmitchell@waterdirectorate.asn.au

Gary Mitchell
Executive Officer
© Copyright Water Directorate August 2009

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