Archived Industry News for Water Professionals
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.
Major design and construction contracts have been awarded and work will begin next month, creating 130 direct jobs during the two years it will take to build the scheme.
Federal Minister for Water Tony Burke said the project will significantly boost food production and employment throughout the region.
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.
$66 million for Victorian water management
The Federal Government has outlined $66 million in budget spending to improve water management over the next four years, with State Water Minister Peter Walsh saying the move will establish the state as a world leader in water practice.
Australia helps East Timor with groundwater management
Mount Gambier and the wider South East community recently hosted a water official from East Timor who was keen to learn from local experts about water resource management in the region.
Nominations open for Water Wise Award
The Federal Government has opened nominations for the 2012 Prime Ministers Water Wise Award for commercial and industrial companies that can demonstrate significant recent water savings.
Abigroup wins wastewater treatment contract
Sydney Water has awarded Abigroup Water a new scope of works for the construction for a wastewater treatment plant in Sydney as part of the ongoing Odour Management Program Alliance.
Australia declared drought free
The Federal Government has announced the country is drought free for the first time in over a decade after the two final Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declarations expire.