Welcome to the April edition of the Town Water Risk Reduction Program newsletter.
Councillor awareness launch
In response to feedback from the local water utility sector, we developed a suite of materials to raise awareness of the risks in water management, and the roles and responsibilities of councillors and other decision-makers in regional NSW water utilities. The materials can be found on our website and include an induction webinar for newly elected councillors, a handbook for decision-makers, videos from experienced councillors and case studies that highlight the roles decision makers and water utilities make in various scenarios in managing water services.
Councillor induction webinar
We are excited to be presenting the councillor induction webinar 'Water: make it your business', on Saturday 23 April 2022. We encourage new and experienced councillors to attend this webinar that will focus on the importance of water services to regional communities, and the role and responsibilities of councillors.
The Office of Local Government has sent calendar invites to councillors attending the ‘Hit the Ground Running’ councillor induction webinar series, including for the webinar on 23 April.
We want your feedback on the draft regulatory framework
A reminder to share your feedback on the Consultation draft: Regulatory framework for local water utilities before submissions close on 30 April 2022. The department invites all interested people to provide feedback in response to this draft regulatory framework. There are two available channels for feedback:
We will revise this guidance based on feedback from the sector and release an updated version with the final regulatory framework, for implementation from 1 July 2022. Feedback on the draft should be emailed to regional.town.water@dpie.nsw.gov.au by 13 May 2022.
Non-urban metering southern inland info sessions
If you are a water user in the southern inland region, you may need to comply with the non-urban water metering rules by 1 December 2022.
The NSW Government is holding information sessions on the non-urban metering requirements to help you understand whether the new metering rules apply to you and how to comply. You will also be able to ask questions to a panel from the department, WaterNSW and the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR).
Trade stalls will be held after the information sessions so you can meet and connect with some of the metering suppliers and installers working in NSW. Panel members and departmental staff will also be available to speak to you. Follow the links below to register for information sessions:
For more information about non-urban metering, visit our website.
Apply for Off-farm Efficiency Program funding
Individuals and entities in the irrigation, urban and manufacturing sectors across the Murray Darling Basin are encouraged to apply for funding under the Off-farm Efficiency Program. The program is a $1.54 billion Australian Government initiative to upgrade water infrastructure to reduce water losses and increase water available for the environment. Water users and the community will also benefit from increased water reliability and the creation of job opportunities.
Three funding streams are available to potential applicants:
state-led streams: for eligible medium to large scale off-farm initiatives for delivery in partnership with the NSW Government
grants hub: for eligible small off-farm projects up to the value of $5 million
feasibility stream: for eligible proposed projects to conduct preliminary investigations to inform a full-project proposal.
Applications for state-led, grants hub and feasibility streams are open, with all projects to be delivered by June 2024. Water Infrastructure NSW will assist applicants to develop projects for consideration by the Australian Government. All state-led and grants hub applications will require a ‘letter of support’ from the NSW Government to go with applications to the Australian Government. If you are interested in applying for funding, Water Infrastructure NSW is keen to hear from you. Visit our website or email winsw.programs@dpie.nsw.gov.au
NSW water operator of the year
Congratulations to the 2022 NSW Water Operator of the Year, Dave Miller, Parkes Shire Council’s Treatment Plant Supervisor. Dave has worked for Parkes Shire Council for over 35 years and is an exceptional operator who is not only passionate about sharing his industry knowledge and experience with new employees, but also an advocate of Council's core values. The award is sponsored by the Water Directorate and was announced at the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) Conference & Exhibition in Tamworth.
Congratulations to all of the other award winners announced at the conference, including Shoalhaven Water for winning the NSW/ACT best tasting tap water tasting competition and Narrabri Shire Council for winning the NSW main tapping competition.
Reflections on the WIOA conference
Our Director Erin Cini was proud to represent the Town Water Risk Reduction Program at the WIOA conference in Tamworth on 6-7 April. It was wonderful to hear from operators about their passion for the water industry and keeping their communities safe. We heard very clearly the need to improve access to operator skills and training, and support operator wellbeing. The Town Water Risk Reduction Program will continue to work with the local water utilities sector on these critical issues.
