SEPTEMBER 2025

Welcome to our September newsletter.

This month has been packed with engaging meetings and events, reflecting our commitment to collaboration and improvement within the water sector.

It was a pleasure to connect with many of you at the recent AWA State Conference in Newcastle and the LGNSW Water Management Conference in Albury. It was pleasing to hear Minister Jackson's recognition in Newcastle of the challenges of regulatory compliance, LWU planning and funding and support for greater collaboration.

At the LGNSW conference, I shared LWU perspectives on our complex regulatory environment, navigating strategic planning and Section 60 works approvals, and highlighting our members' challenges while advocating for impactful solutions to an audience of over 250 people. More information is available in LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller's Water Management conference wrap up.

Looking ahead, this week there is a Minister's Breakfast, BuildSkills Roundtable looking at utility location. I also encourage you to register for the DPIE Response to PEC webinar.

Water Directorate's Annual Forum 2025 is coming up soon on the 31st October. We invite you to register your attendance. This event is the highlight of our calendar and offers a valuable opportunity to connect, learn and inspire one another.

Register

AWA AWARD DETAILS

AWA NSW Awards

Submissions for the 2025/2026 AWA NSW Water Awards are open. We’d especially love to see more regional member submissions.

Award Categories:

R&D Excellence Award

Infrastructure Project Innovation Award

Organisational Excellence Award

Young Water Professional of the Year

Water Professional of the Year

Student Water Prize

Submissions close: 3 November 2025

Stormwater NSW Conference

franc.2025 will be held at the Mercure Hotel Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin, on 15–16 October 2025. It will feature site visits, interactive hands-on workshops, and an expo showcasing state-of-the-art technologies in stormwater management

MORE INFO

Progress on PEC Review LWU Reform

The NSW Government has released its response to the PEC’s Review of Funding Models for Local Water Utilities (LWUs), taking meaningful steps to overhaul the funding framework for LWUs to ensure they can continue to deliver safe, secure, sustainable and affordable water supply and sewerage services to communities well into the future.

In DCCEEW's webinar, the Water Group’s LWU Reform Team will explain the NSW Government response and discuss how we plan to engage with LWUs during a 2-year policy design phase to implement the response.

Who: Water Group’s LWU Reform Team
When: Thursday 25 September 2025
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am

WEBINAR REGISTRATION

Report tabled – PFAS contamination in waterways and drinking water supplies throughout New South Wales

The report of the Select Committee on PFAS Contamination in Waterways and Drinking Water Supplies Throughout New South Wales, entitled 'PFAS contamination in waterways and drinking water supplies throughout New South Wales' was tabled in the Legislative Council on 11 September 2025.

The report and its recommendations are now with the government for consideration.

Workforce Development Roadmap Published

The local water utility workforce development roadmap outlines strategic direction for workforce planning, focusing on attraction, career progression, quality training, and industry collaboration. This resource includes tips and tools for local water utilities to build resilient, skilled and inclusive teams across regional NSW.

EPA seeking feedback by 26th Sept

The NSW EPA is seeking feedback on a proposed resource recovery order and exemption for biosolids, including updated testing and reporting requirements.

Consultation is open until 26 September 2025.