Town Water Risk Reduction Program 

NEWSLETTER ISSUE #17 | SEPTEMBER 2022

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

Water operations workforce and training analysis

Skilled and competent operators are vital to provide essential water and sewerage services in regional NSW, and to managing drinking water quality. Currently there is a critical shortage of formally trained water operators in NSW. Approximately 200 operators in regional NSW are seeking to undertake accredited operator training each year but are unable to access this training due to a lack of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and qualified trainers.

To better understand these shortages, the Town Water Risk Reduction Program commissioned an analysis by Balmoral Group Australia of the NSW water operations workforce and its access to training. A summary report of the analysis provides much-needed baseline data for use and further development by the local water utility and training sectors and government partners.

Microbial health-based targets update for Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

Microbial health-based targets provide an assessment of the microbial safety of drinking water and form a small component of the Framework for Managing Drinking Water Quality in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The update to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on 13 September 2022 incorporates guidance on microbial health-based targets in Chapter 5. These targets help inform the appropriate treatment for managing microbial risk in different water supplies and should be used to prioritise improvements in drinking water safety.

NSW Health and the Department of Planning and Environment will develop an implementation plan for the adoption of health-based targets in regional NSW, informed by the Cryptosporidium risk assessment conducted by NSW Health. A separate health-based targets assessment is not necessary as the NSW Health model will satisfy the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Water utilities should continue to work with their NSW Health Public Health Unit to address risks identified through the NSW Health Cryptosporidium risk assessment as a priority.

Consultation on draft Water Industry Competition (General) Regulation 2022

The department has released the draft Water Industry Competition (General) Regulation 2022 for consultation.

The Water Industry Competition Act 2006 (WIC Act) was amended in late 2021 following a comprehensive review of the Act’s operation. The main changes included: 

• better targeting of regulation to focus on high-risk, utility-like schemes including those operated by metropolitan councils 
• separating the granting of licences from the approval of individual schemes 
• new operator of last resort provisions to ensure that essential services continue if a private utility fails financially 
• stronger customer protection, including a new standard customer contract. 

However, the amendments cannot commence operation until the supporting regulation is revised in line with the changes to the Act.

Written submissions are invited and are due by close of business Monday 17 October 2022. The draft regulation, together with a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) that assesses the costs and benefits of the proposed regulation, and information about how to have your say are available on the department’s website. 

2023 LGNSW Water Management Conference - call for presentation proposals

Councils, local water utilities, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders are invited to submit proposals for presentations and case studies for the 2023 LGNSW Water Management Conference at Parkes from 26-28 June. 

Example topics include, but not limited to: 

• asset resilience during drought, fire and floods 
• water quality and supply for rural, remote and aboriginal communities 
• defining a minimum level of service 
• collaboration and alliances  
• innovation and technology 
• Regional Water Strategies 
• town water risk reduction 
• a water workforce for the future 
• business continuity during the pandemic 
• implantation of regulatory reform 
• water as an economic driver for regional communities.  

The closing date for the submission of proposals is COB Friday 28 October 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 18 November 2022. 

Guidelines to assist in preparing a presentation proposal are available here.

Proposals should be submitted electronically using the online Presentation Proposal Form.  

If you have any questions or require further information, please email Patrick Lee, Senior Policy Officer Infrastructure and Finance, patrick.lee@lgnsw.org.au or call him on 02 9242 4073. 

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

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