Hello, and welcome to our newsletter for June 2026.
I'm excited to share that early bird tickets for our Annual Forum 'From Insights to Action: Digital Water in Practice' are now on sale! Visit events for more information and to secure your tickets. Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are also available.
Over the last week we saw National Reconciliation Week coinciding with Ozwater '26. A joint webinar was hosted by AWA and WSAA aligning with the theme, 'All In', meaning acknowledging the past, listening to First Nations voices, reflecting on challenges, and committing to genuine, ongoing action. In that regard, Water Directorate has been proud to support the Aboriginal Pathways: Fresh Start into Water Operations short course in partnership with NSW DCCEEW and NSW Aboriginal Affairs, hosted by Shoalhaven Water, with a strong focus on cultural capacity and cultural safety.
We were equally pleased to see our Minister announce new funding to strengthen water services in western NSW. This is a great advocacy win and an important opportunity for local water utilities to demonstrate their collaborate for strategic capacity building.
The NSW EPA has published the Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant PFAS Monitoring Chemical Control Order which is effective from 1 October 2026. Unfortunately, despite councils not being the primary source of PFAS, local government is now responsible for monitoring which represents yet another cost shift from the state government to local government.
Lastly, I was glad to be returned to the AWA NSW Branch committee for another two years, thanks to those who voted, and my sincere thanks to the AWA for all their support in advocating for safe and secure water supplies in all parts of NSW.
Aboriginal Pathways to Water Operations
Graduates of the Aboriginal Pathways to Water Operations short course were formally recognised at a special ceremony hosted by Shoalhaven Water last month. The two-week pilot program supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build practical skills, explore career opportunities and prepare for work in water operations. Shoalhaven Water will support more than 10 full-time traineeships in 2026, inviting those who successfully completed the pilot course to apply for these traineeships. Watch the video and read more here.
Water Leadership Program 2026-27 Scholarships
The 2026-27 round of the International WaterCentre’s (IWC) Water Leadership Program is now open, including the recently launched Peta Mullin Inclusive Leadership Scholarship. The IWC welcomes applications from aspiring female and male Indigenous water leaders, whether working in community or institutional contexts. All Scholarships are available to applicants regardless of whether they are working FT or PT. For more information, visit the website.
🎫 From Insights to Action: Digital Water in Practice🎫
Our 2026 Annual Forumfocuses on how digital water approaches are and can be applied in real operational settings. Here are some important details:
For your calendar: Friday 30th October 2026 from 9am - 7pm at the Aerial UTS Function Centre Ultimo, Sydney.
Tickets: Early Bird tickets are available until 11th September.
The Western Councils Water Alliance has welcomed the announcement of NSW Government funding to support a series of projects aimed at strengthening water and sewer services across regional NSW. The government has committed $450,000 towards pilot programs that will trial new ways for councils to work together to improve long-term water service reliability, drought resilience, and infrastructure planning.
The NSW Government has extended 12 water sharing plans that were due to expire between 30 June 2026 and 30 June 2027. These plans have been extended for up to 2 years to allow replacement of the plans and to ensure there is no interruption to water management arrangements.
Councils are encouraged to apply in the 2026 LGNSW Environment Awards.
The Sustainable Infrastructure Award recognises outstanding initiatives that integrate environmental and sustainable practices into the design, construction or
management of community buildings and infrastructure. The Water Management Award recognises excellence in practical solutions for sustainable water management. Applications are now open until 5pm on Friday 17 July.
EOI to host 2028 LGNSW Water Management Conference
Councils across NSW are invited to prepare an Expression of Interest (EOI) to host the LGNSW Water Management Conference in September 2028. Visit LGNSW for more information, including criteria for councils to host.
EOIs close: 30 June 2026 with evaluation completed: 31 July 2026
📊 2026 Census
qldwater is still leading the charge ahead of the 2026 Census with their Say What You Are” campaign to make sure water sector roles are clearly described for accurate representation in national data.
Water flows to parched NSW wetlands could be turned back on within weeks as drought fears loom
Bill to support environmental water flows an 'attack' on property rights
Second-driest April on record for NSW as likely El Niño brings threat of dry year ahead
Water Bank project designed to drought-proof Australia's biggest outback city misses out in federal budget
Murray-Darling inflow laws secure water for delicate ecosystems, ecologist says
Water for 52 Olympic-sized pools lost daily in Queensland due to pipe issues
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