Archived Industry News for Water Professionals
The South Australian Minister for Water Paul Caica has announced that ALLWATER Consortium has been chosen as the preferred bidder to manage Adelaide’s water and wastewater networks for the next 10 years.
Mr Caica said the State Government has approved the $1.129 billion Operations and Maintenance Alliance contract to provide services to SA Water’s metropolitan customers beginning on July 1 when the current contract with United Water ends.
ALLWATER is a joint venture between Australian company, Transfield Services, the Paris-based company Suez Environnement and Degremont, a subsidiary of Suez that specializes in water and wastewater treatment plants.
Review to examine Victorian flood warnings and response
The Victorian Government has announced a review of flood warnings and emergency response efforts to be undertaken in the wake of this month’s floods. The review will be led by Mr Neil Comrie, former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police and current Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report Implementation Monitor.
The 2010-11 Flood Warnings and Response review will examine:
Victoria calls for revamp of Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Victorian Government has advised the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) that it does not support the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in its current form.
Releasing Victoria's submission to the Guide to the Basin Plan, the Minister for Water Peter Walsh said that the Victorian Government believes the social and economic impacts of the guide are not yet properly understood.
"It is absolutely vital that the findings of the two Commonwealth Parliamentary inquiries into these matters are fully considered before the proposed Basin plan is released for public consultation."
Mr Walsh said with enough water to meet the environment's needs for at least two years, the authority has more time to get the plan right.
"An effective Basin plan will include environmental engineering works and infrastructure investment to get measurable water savings for the environment, rather than drastic cuts in water entitlements held by food producers.
"It involves rebuilding relationships so that regional communities enraged by a divisive process after the guide's release can contribute local solutions for their valleys."
Mr Walsh said a new process would:
Inquiry into Water Act
Murray-Darling basin reform has been further stymied by a senate inquiry that will investigate whose interpretation of the Water Act is correct - Water Minister Tony Burke’s or former Murray Darling Basin Authority chairman Mike Taylor’s.
Joint funding for upgrade of Chaffey Dam
Joint funding has been announced by the Gillard and Keneally Governments to fast-track construction on a $43.33 million augmentation and complete safety upgrade of Chaffey Dam.
Ombudsman to investigate water saving projects in Northern Victoria
The Victorian Government has announced an ombudsman's investigation into water saving projects in Northern Victoria.
Mining by-products effective in fight against algal blooms
CSIRO research has shown that some mining by-products can be effective in preventing nutrients from entering river systems, thereby reducing the potential for algal blooms.
NSW irrigation trusts and districts must now comply with the ACCC rules
Recent amendments to the NSW Water Management Act 2000 mean that there are no longer impediments to private water trusts and private irrigation districts in NSW complying with the Water Market Rules and the Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules. These amendments were made following concerns raised by a number of NSW private water trusts and private irrigation districts about their ability to give effect to their obligations under the Water Market Rules and Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules.
Shaun Cox appointed as Melbourne Water MD
Melbourne Water has announced that Shaun Cox will become the new Managing Director.
Wivenhoe and Somerset dams Operations Manual released
The Queensland government has released the Operations Manual used to manage water levels in Wivenhoe and Somerset dams. The release of the document is part of the state government’s commitment to full transparency on matters relating to the Commission of Inquiry announced by Premier Anna Bligh.
Consotrium selected for Sydney decentralised water plan
A consortium has been selected by the City of Sydney to develop a decentralised water master plan for the Local Government Area which would include Australia’s first city-wide recycled water network and significantly reduce demands on drinking water supplies.