Archived Industry News for Water Professionals - May, 2012
The Western Australian Government is calling for nominations for the 2012 Australian Water Association WA Water Awards, which will aim to recognise significant contributions made by organisations and individuals to water management in the state.
“I encourage individuals, businesses, schools and other organisations to nominate themselves or others for achievement in areas such as water management, innovation, conservation and efficiency,” State Water Minister Bill Marmion said.
The awards are organised by the Australian Water Association and presented by the Department of Water and the Water Corporation. They recognise achievement in the following categories:
- Infrastructure innovation
- Program innovation
- Research innovation
- Resource management
- Conservation and efficiency
- Recycling
- Waterwise business
- Waterwise council
- Waterwise school
- Water professional
- Young water professional
NSW succesfully leases Sydney Desalination Plant
Treasurer Mike Baird today announced the NSW Government has successfully refinanced the Sydney Desalination Plant for $2.3 billion, a result which is well above the book value.
QCA releases SunWater pricing path
The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) has released its final report and recommendations for SunWater’s five-year price path for irrigation pricing.
Tasmanian irrigation project ready to start
Construction of Tasmania’s largest ever irrigation project is ready to start in the state’s Midlands region after the Federal and State governments gave final approvals for the $104 million Midlands Water Scheme.
Funding cuts to water management programs
The Government has targeted three areas for savings in water management programs.
Funding for North Queensland irrigation strategy
The Government will provide $6.1 million of new funding, with a further $0.8 million in‑kind contribution from the CSIRO, over three years towards a $10.0 million strategy to realise the potential of new irrigated agriculture in North Queensland.
Irrigation funding refocused
The Federal Government has announced $350 million in funding to assist irrigation infrastructure reform in the Murray Darling Basin.
NWC calls for improved water monitoring
The National Water Commission’s CEO James Cameron, (no, not THAT James Cameron), has called for the improvement and systematic monitoring of water plans to ensure that methods used are effective in meeting their environmental objectives.
Artesian Basin cap and pipe schemes completed
Additional information regarding the Cap & Pipe the Bores Program is available on the NSW Office of Water website: www.water.nsw.gov.au
GHD merges with North American water firm
GHD, one of the world’s largest engineering and architectural consulting firms, has merged with the Sernas Group, a large water engineering firm based in Canada and the USA.
MDBA announces advisory committee
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has announced the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences to advise the authority on key parts of its strategy.
New Training Institute for the water industry
The Australian Water Association (AWA) and Opus International Consultants (Opus) have established a new registered training organisation for the water sector, AWA Opus Water Industry Training Institute (WITI).
Western Water plant certified carbon neutral
Low Carbon Australia has certified Western Water’s Class A Recycled Water Plant in Melton, north-west of Melbourne as carbon neutral.
Researchers highlight potential for underground water storage
The National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training is an Australian Government initiative, supported by the Australian Research Council and the National Water Commission.
NWC releases position statement on northern water resources
The Acting Chair of the National Water Commission (NWC), Stuart Bunn, has released a position statement detailing the need for Australia to draw on its experience and knowledge to protect and sustain the unique water resources in the country’s north.
$10 million for Office of Living Victoria
The Victorian Government has announced a $10 million spending allocation to create the Office of Living Victoria, which will be responsible for overhauling the urban water system to make greater use of stormwater, rainwater and recycled water.
Councils progress stormwater management plan
A stormwater management plan for the Brownhill and Keswick Creek catchments is a step closer following a strategy proposed by the Chief Executive Officers of the five catchment councils involved in the project.
NT announces water infrastructure spend
The Northern Territory Government has flagged $380 million for the state’s Power and Water Corporation’s in the territory’s Budget.
NWC releases northern Australia water management position statement
Acting Chair of the National Water Commission Stuart Bunn has released a position statement calling for Australia to draw on its experience and knowledge to protect and sustain the unique water resources in the north.