What’s your water story, Trevor Sultana?

Trevor (pictured on the right of the front row) is the Business Manager of Water Operations at Goulburn Mulwaree Council. Based in Goulburn in the NSW southern highlands, Trevor has worked in regional water utilities for over seven years, and has experienced the trials and tribulations of working in the regional water sector.

What drew you into the water industry?
I actually fell into the water industry, picking up some water and wastewater work at my first Council and getting my feet wet before getting a role managing the water and sewer systems for Coonamble Shire Council before moving down to Goulburn. I found that working in water and wastewater was both unpredictable and challenging, but I am always drawn to a challenge and wanted to learn more about the industry.

Who or what do you draw inspiration from?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a few people help me on my professional journey, so there’s no one person I can name that has inspired me. But I do want to pay forward (and back) the faith and help I received and help make the industry a better place. Like the old adage goes: a rising tide lifts all boats.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Cooking, gardening, travelling, home renovations and repairs, and I want to eventually get into distilling. Basically, anything that keeps me occupied and learning.

If you were a breed of dog, which would you be and why?
Probably a border collie. Full of energy, looking for a challenge, and get bored easily if I’m not mentally stimulated.

What do you believe is currently the greatest challenge for your part of the water industry?
There are many challenges in the water industry in regional Australia, so it’s hard to nail down one. But one that does keep me up at night is attracting and retaining staff. Councils (and water utilities in general) have increasing legislative requirements to meet and thus more complex technology and processes to ensure compliance, and yet it is difficult to get the staff needed (with the right experience and qualifications) to operate our water and wastewater systems. Operating a water or wastewater system becomes exponentially more difficult for each vacancy you have in a team and makes it difficult to provide the necessary service for our communities.

How do you consider your organisation benefits most by being a corporate member of the Australian Water Association?
Being a member of the Australian Water Association allows me to see what is happening in the industry and meet and stay in touch with so many other water professionals. With the water industry changing rapidly and new information becoming obsolete quickly, being able to speak to those at the forefront of these changes is incredibly valuable.

What messages would you like to give to your colleagues in the NSW water sector?
There are a lot of challenges that we all face. However, every newcomer to the water industry remarks on how committed and passionate those already in the water industry are. And I think it is that passion and commitment that will help us overcome all these challenges.