Town Water Risk Reduction Program 

NEWSLETTER ISSUE #14 | JUNE 2022

Welcome to the June edition of the Town Water Risk Reduction Program newsletter. 

Have your say on the proposed incident and emergency management framework for local water utilities 

The department’s proposed incident and emergency management framework for local water utilities is open for public consultation until Monday 18 July 2022.

The aim of the framework is to support local water utilities to better manage risks, using an outcomes focussed approach. The framework provides guidance to local water utilities to inform their development of specific incident and emergency management processes. Once the framework had been finalised, we will develop additional guidance materials to support local water utilities.

Provide your feedback on the department’s regulation and support of local water utilities

This is the third bi-monthly survey we have undertaken to help us understand your views on how the department regulates, supports and works in partnership with local water utilities, and to identify areas for improvement. We would appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey. We value your feedback and appreciate you taking the time to provide your views - all responses are anonymous.

The survey is open until 30 June 2022 and will take around 5-7 minutes to complete. We will share the responses on our website in July 2022,as well as a comparison with previous survey results. You can read the June 2021 and December 2021 survey results on our website.

Implementing the new regulatory and assurance framework for local water utilities

From 1 July 2022 we will implement the new Regulatory and assurance framework for local water utilities, which is designed to enable local water utilities to manage risks.

Thank you to the more than 40 stakeholders who participated in the consultation, via our webinar, survey or public submissions. You can view all public submissions on our website. We are currently finalising the framework following public consultation on the draft.

This new approach to the assessment and approvals of works under section 60 of the Local Government Act or section 292(1) of the Water Management Act, will be fully implemented by 1 July 2022. Under this new approach, all applications will be made via an online application and we will provide guidance for local water utilities to support them in this process.

In 2021, we assured local water utilities that were progressing their Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Strategy that they would not be disadvantaged by the new strategic planning assurance framework. To ensure we meet this commitment we will:

• further engage with all local water utilities currently undertaking an IWCM Strategy, including those funded under the Safe and Secure Water Program by 1 July 2022.
• publish draft guidance over the coming months, with final guidance in place by 1 October 2022.
• work with utilities individually to develop a clear transition program through to 1 December 2022.

For more information about the new Regulatory and assurance framework for local water utilities you can contact us at regional.town.water@dpie.nsw.gov.au

Are you a dam owner? Enrol in the new online dam surveillance course

Dams Safety NSW is pleased to announce the launch of the new online training course Surveillance of embankment dams - routine inspections. The 3-hour online course aims to help NSW dam owners understand how best to undertake routine visual inspections of embankment dams.

The online course covers how to inspect and assess embankment dams, including the equipment and records you need, and what to do should you find signs of problems.

This non-accredited course is particularly aimed at those who inspect embankment dams declared by Dams Safety NSW.

You can contact Dams Safety NSW for more information about whether you are eligible to complete competency assessments associated with the course by emailing info@damsafety.nsw.gov.au

National water operations training resources workshop held in June

We are progressing the Skills and training action plan and delivering on actions to reduce the barriers faced by registered training organisations who want to deliver training programs for the first time.

On 9 June 2022, we facilitated a successful workshop with over 20 national water and training sector stakeholders to develop business model options for developing and maintaining water operations training materials.

All stakeholder contributions will be collated before we present business model options to the water and training sectors. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our stakeholders across the water and training sectors.

WaterNSW integrated river systems operator pilot

As part of our work exploring potential new approaches for NSW Government support for local water utilities, the Town Water Risk Reduction Program has commissioned WaterNSW to undertake a pilot with Hay Shire and Murrumbidgee councils to explore an Integrated River Systems Operator approach. Under the pilot, WaterNSW is using its extensive river operations expertise to help Hay Shire and Murrumbidgee councils understand the river quality and quantity issues impacting their operations, and potential ways to mitigate these risks. 

WaterNSW gathered data and conducted site visits with both councils in May and June 2022, and on Thursday 16 June held risk identification workshops in Jerilderie, along with NSW Health and the department

WaterNSW will prepare an Operations Strategy and Drought Plan for each council by 31 July 2022, and a report to the Town Water Risk Reduction Program with recommendations about future options for broader support of local water utilities.

Further information and feedback

Visit the Town Water Risk Reduction Program website for more detailed information.

Have your say

For more information or enquires please email the team at regional.town.water@dpie.nsw.gov.au