On 6 September, the Technical Advisory and Training team held a Water Industry Careers Showcase day at the Calala Water Treatment Plant in Tamworth. The showcase invited jobseekers and students to learn more about a career in the water industry.  

The event was a huge success. More than 50 school students from 4 local government areas attended. They got to see how the Calala Water Treatment Plant operates, took part in hands-on activities, including chlorine testing, and had the chance to ask experts questions about the water industry.   
   
Students said they were not initially aware of the job opportunities across the water industry and many expressed an interest to explore water related jobs and traineeships in the future. 
   
The event also received positive media coverage on Channel 7, NBN, and in the Northern Daily Leader. The team is excited to hold similar career events in the future.   
   
The event was held in partnership with Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Tamworth Regional Council, Walcha Council, Gunnedah Shire Council, and the NSW Department of Education. 

In November 2023, the department will host 3 interactive workshops for local water utilities and council managers. The purpose of the workshops is to teach participants how to train their staff in responding to emergency situations, including managing, writing and conducting exercises and plans. The workshops were developed in response to recent natural disasters and the requirement for safety plans for dams and pollution incidents.   

Workshops will be held across 2 half days at the below locations, dates and times. Exact venues are to be confirmed. Light catering will be provided. Registration is essential and will open in October 2023.   

Workshop 1: Orange   
Thursday 23 November 2023, 11.30 am – 4 pm   
Friday 24 November 2023, 8.30 am – 12 pm   
 
Workshop 2: Queanbeyan  
Monday 27 November, 11.30 am – 4 pm  
Tuesday 28 November, 8.30 am – 12 pm  
 
Workshop 3: Coffs Harbour  
Wednesday 29 November, 11.30 am – 4 pm  
Thursday 30 November, 8.30 am – 12 pm.

The department has reviewed the annual performance indicators it asks local water utilities to report on. A consultation paper has been released outlining the proposed changes to the annual indicators. A shorter list of proposed key performance indicators has also been released.

The new indicator set will come into effect from 2024-25 reporting year. Local water utilities should use the current set for 2023-24.

To find out more and discuss the proposed indicators, the department is hosting an online information session for local water utilities. Register using the below link.

Date/time: Wednesday 18 October from 10.30 am - 12 pm

Register here

To read the consultation paper and have your say, visit the performance indicators webpage. Consultation closes on Tuesday 31 October 2023.

The Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) has undergone a $10.5 million state-of-the-art revamp which has tripled its modelling and testing capabilities. 

For almost 80 years, MHL has delivered vital modelling and monitoring for the state’s major dams, coastal infrastructure, flood mitigation and ocean outfalls.  

This is the first major lab upgrade in 30 years, adding to MHL’s NATA accredited Know-the-Flow facility, and will allow the replication of highly complex scenarios to reflect a range of unique environments for potential projects to test their viability including droughts, coastal storms and floods. 

The upgrade has delivered 3 world class model reservoirs that can recreate flows greater than 2,200 litres per second with expansion capability up to 4,300 litres per second. This is equivalent to turning on more than 6500 fire hoses at once.  

MHL has been undertaking measurement of flow and water quality in all areas of water infrastructure (potable, sewer and stormwater systems) as well as rivers, estuaries, lakes and oceans for many decades. It can assist local water utilities in resolving water measurement uncertainty and all aspects of hydrometrics. 

For more information, visit the MHL website.

In June 2023 the department called for expressions of interest from local water utilities to participate in the Advanced Operational Support Program to help resolve water treatment plant operational risks and issues. Outcomes from the program will be used to inform future government support and collaboration with the sector to further reduce risks.  

A steering group, including representatives from the department, NSW Health, and the Water Directorate, assessed the applications and 12 water treatment plants were selected to be part of the program. All applicants were notified of the outcome of their application in August 2023.  

The main program phases include:    

To find out more about the program, the application process (including eligibility), and the list of successful participants, visit the Advanced Operational Support Program webpage.

A new Joint Select Committee of the NSW Parliament is conducting an inquiry into protecting local water utilities from privatisation. You can find the terms of reference on the Committee's website.  

To make a submission to the inquiry, click the submission's tab. Submissions close on Sunday 29 October 2023. 

To find out more about how to make a submission, read the making a submission to a parliamentary committee inquiry document or contact the Committee staff on (02) 9230 2074.  

We oversee the delivery of water and sewerage services by local water utilities, as well as the management of water service risks. Visit the local water utilities website for more information.