Water Sector News

The challenge of sustainable water development in Australia’s north
Acting Chair of the National Water Commission Stuart Bunn has released a position statement calling for Australia to draw on its experience and knowledge to protect and sustain the unique water resources in our north. Stuart Bunn said, "Because the diverse hydrological and ecological systems in our north differ so much from other systems, development in northern Australia presents inevitable challenges for water management. We now have a historic opportunity to make sure that these largely undeveloped water systems support productive and healthy ecosystems, vibrant communities and rich Indigenous cultures." (NWC)

Unitywater CEO resigns
Unitywater CEO Jon Black has announced his departure from the organisation he helped establish less than two years ago. Mr Black, who has more than 30 years’ experience in management positions, including 25 years in the army, resigned as the head of Unitywater on Monday. (Unity Water)

MDBA Chair Craig Knowles' speech to the Farm Writers' Association of NSW
In his most recent speech, MDBA Chair Craig Knowles encouraged governments to provide the leadership needed to progress major water reform. Mr Knowles also outlined three key assertions in developing the Basin Plan. (MDBA)

Water trade a boom to southern MDB communities
Commissioner Laurie Arthur has launched a new Commission report which shows that water markets have helped regional communities in the southern Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) to remain productive, even during drought. (NWC)

Senate Inquiry
The Senate Inquiry into the National Water Commission Amendment Bill 2012 has received submissions from a wide range of stakeholders. Submissions, including the one from AWA, are available on the National Water Commission website. (NWC)

Upgrade to increase Karratha Wastewater Recycling
A $3.8 million upgrade to Karratha’s Wastewater Recycling Scheme and Conveyance System will increase the supply of recycled water to the community by more than 150 million litres every year. Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water Senator Don Farrell said the Australian Government is contributing $1.5 million funding towards the upgrade of the site’s wastewater re-use pipeline and pump station. “This will improve treated wastewater recycling and increase the volume of recycled wastewater available to irrigate the golf course and town ovals,” Senator Farrell said. (Senator Farrell)

Huge scope to store water underground, say scientists
There is potential to store large volumes of Australia’s precious fresh water underground, to offset climate change, avoid evaporation losses and meet national water needs into the future, leading water scientists say. Following a national scientific workshop in Canberra last week, researchers in the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) say that managed aquifer recharge – the injection or infiltration of excess surface water into underground aquifers – could help secure the nation’s water supplies for an uncertain future. (NCGRT)

New report assesses future of coal seam gas in NSW
A new report into the future of coal seam gas extraction in New South Wales has found that the industry’s development “has outpaced the ability of governments to regulate it, particularly in relation to technical practices such as the storage and disposal of produced water." (GWI)

Peter Cullen Postgraduate Scholarship winner announced
The winner of the 2012 Peter Cullen Postgraduate Scholarship is Eytan Rocheta from the University of NSW. (NSW Office of Water)

Occasional paper on Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Hawker Britton, a public affairs agency, has issued an occasional paper on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. (Hawker Britton)

Victorian Water Companies to be levied an extra $400 M over the next four years
Victorian Water corporations are required to pay an annual environmental contribution to fund initiatives that promote the sustainable management of water and address adverse environmental impacts associated with water use. In the most recent Victorian budget, the environmental contribution levy has been extended for an additional four years between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2016. It is estimated this extension will raise an additional $419 million over the four years to fund a third tranche of water-related initiatives. (Victorian Government)

Water purchasing initiative in the southern connected Murray-Darling has closed
DAFF said the tender phase of the water purchasing initiative in the southern connected Murray-Darling has closed and applications have been assessed. Letters advising all applicants of the outcome of their offers were posted on 2 May 2012. If you have not received a letter within five business days you should contact the department by telephone on Freecall 1800 218 478 or
email waterpurchasing@environment.gov.au (Department of Environment)

Simple way to remove mud from drinking water
Nearly 80 per cent of disease in developing countries is linked to bad water and sanitation. Now a scientist at Michigan Technological University has developed a simple, cheap way to make water safe to drink, even if it's muddy. (Science Daily)

Solve water problems or forget growth, India told India's economic growth and political stability are at stake in coming years if it does not change its approach to water management, a member of its natural resources planning commission told Reuters on Monday. (Planet Ark)

MDBA announces establishment of Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences
The MDBA chair has announced the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences. Mr Knowles said: "The Authority is committed to an ongoing discussion about the science and socio-economic knowledge needed to support the adaptive management of the basin over the next few years. I see this Committee as an essential part of assisting us with that endeavour." (MDBA)

NFF submission on Commonwealth Environmental Water: Trade Arrangements
The National Farmers Federation has issued its submission to the Commonwealth Environmental Water: Trade Arrangements Discussion Paper. The focus of the NFF’s feedback is to ensure that there are positive outcomes for irrigators from their engagement with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH). In particular, the NFF is seeking assurances that individual irrigators, who choose not to participate in trade to or from the CEWH, will remain unaffected. (NFF)

New report by ATSE on Sustainable water management
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has issued Sustainable water management: Securing Australia's future in a green economy. The report notes that innovation is impeded by existing long-term investments in infrastructure and systems and technology lock-in, and governments should encourage investment and uptake of energy-efficient and flexible water supply options that increase efficiency and productivity and reduce environmental impact. (ATSE)

ADB and Australia to support Kiribati sanitation improvement project
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda and Kiribati Finance Minister Tom Murdoch have signed grant and loan agreements totaling $21.5 million for the South Tarawa Sanitation Improvement Sector Project at the ADB’s 45th Annual Meeting, being held in Manila. ADB is providing a loan of $7.6 million from the Asian Development Fund (ADF) while the Government of Australia is providing $14.0 million in grant co-financing for the Project. (ADB)  

Member News

FutureFlow Alliance wins 2012 Australian Smart Infrastructure Project Award
The FutureFlow Alliance has been acknowledged for innovative design, delivery and use of smart infrastructure by being awarded the 2012 Australian Smart Infrastructure Project Award for improving the sustainability of water supply. This prestigious award was presented to FutureFlow – an Alliance comprising Comdain Infrastructure, Goulburn-Murray Water, Sinclair Knight Merz and Transfield Services at a gala dinner in Sydney on 4 April hosted by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia. (Comdain)

SA Water named Public Water Agency of the Year
SA Water was named Public Water Agency of the Year at the 2012 Global Water Awards ceremony held in Rome. The award recognises the public sector organisation that has made the greatest contribution to meeting the challenges of water supply during 2011 – challenges SA Water has well and truly responded to successfully over a number of years. The nomination for the award focussed on the major milestones we achieved in 2011. These included the production of first water from the desalination plant, the start of construction work on the North South Interconnection System Project and the Adelaide Alliance contract with Allwater. (SA Water)

State of the Water Sector Survey – Enter now to win great prizes!AWA and its research partner Deloitte are carrying out a survey of water sector participants’ attitudes to the critical issues facing the sector. Following on from the initial quantitative survey in late 2010, and qualitative survey in 2011, this Survey will provide a comprehensive view of the state of the Australian water sector, rural and urban. We encourage all water professionals to complete the survey.
1st prize: Entry to Ozwater’13, including three nights' accommodation and return economy flights from any Australian capital city.
2nd prize: iPad 3
3rd prize:12 Months free membership to AWA.
Complete the survey now 

Events and Courses

Ozwater’12 , 8-10 May, Sydney
Ozwater’12 starts tomorrow! Registrations for the conference are available at the door. Entry to the trade exhibition is free and we encourage all water professionals to attend. www.ozwater.org

Biosolids and Source Management Conference, 18-20 June 2012, Gold Coast
Registration now open
The conference will allow for sharing knowledge on the treatment process and influent contaminants that may reduce the outlets for this reuse. Keynotes include Dr. John Novak, Virginia Tech (USA); Professor Jurg Keller, Director, Advanced Water Management Centre; Bill Barber, AECOM; and Michael Catchpole, Allconnex.
Download the registration brochure and program. To register go to www.awa.asn.au/bsmconference

Leading Edge Technology Conference, 3-7 June 2012, Brisbane
Registrations now open
The 2012 edition of the highly successful Leading Edge Technology Conference on Water and Waste Water Treatment Technologies (LET) moves to Australia. This event is for all those interested in the latest advances in wastewater and drinking water technologies. It offers a wide range of multi-disciplinary presentations and will provide ample opportunities to learn and network with professionals in your fields of interest. For a program and more information please visit the website www.let2012.org 

Jobs

There are 37 jobs on the H2Oz website, view them here.

Job of the week:

General Manager Operations
Gippsland Water
Management
Melbourne metropolitan, VIC regional

Are you the next leader of our Operations Department?

Closing Date: 17 May 2012

For further information on advertising using H2Oz, please email h2oz@awa.asn.au 

In The Media 

• The state government will again consider introducing treated sewage into Sydney's drinking water supply as a means of meeting the city's future water needs, even though the idea was rejected by the Labor government five years ago. (SMH) 
• Victorians will pay an extra $5 million a year for water after Melbourne Water was included on a carbon tax 'hit list'. (Herald Sun) 
• SA Water faces an annual carbon tax cost of about $6.2 million, putting further significant pressure on spiralling water prices. (Adelaide Advertiser) 
• Privatisation of Tasmania's electricity assets could deliver a windfall of up to $7.9 billion, a report has found. (Tasmanian Mercury) 

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