Join us in promoting job opportunities in the water industry
The Department of Planning and Environment, along with LGNSW, has developed free resources to help promote careers in the water industry, especially as water operators in regional NSW. These resources include videos, flyers, and stories from water operators sharing their career journeys and passion for their jobs. We encourage local water utilities to use these materials across their social media, newsletters and job advertisements. View the resources at the Careers at Council webpage and the department's careers in the water industry webpage.  

The water industry has also introduced a new 'Careers in Water' website, offering resources to promote the water industry on a national scale, covering all aspects of the water industry. 

Additionally, the department, along with other partners, is attending the Career Advisers Conference on Friday 27 October in Sydney to inform career advisors about job opportunities in the water industry. They are also collaborating with Training Services NSW to promote training opportunities across the state. 
 
 
Subscribe to the local water utilities newsletter
We’re committed to updating local water utilities about our programs and other relevant information. This newsletter is distributed monthly to local water utilities across NSW and made available on the local water utilities website. We encourage you to share it with your colleagues who may be interested. If you don’t receive the newsletters, you can subscribe here.
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Coffs Harbour Water Treatment Plant
Register for an Incident and Emergency workshop
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 two half days at the below locations, dates and times. Light catering will be provided. Registration is essential and open now. Please click the below links to register.   
 
Workshop 1: Orange: Register here
  • Thursday 23 November 2023, 11.30 am – 4.00 pm  
  • Friday 24 November 2023, 8.30 am – 12.00 pm  
Workshop 2: Queanbeyan: Register here
  • Monday 27 November, 11.30 am – 4.00 pm 
  • Tuesday 28 November, 8.30 am – 12.00 pm 
Workshop 3: Coffs Harbour: Register here 
  • Wednesday 29 November, 11.30 am – 4.00 pm 
  • Thursday 30 November, 8.30 am – 12.00 pm. 
Photo credit: Peter Simpson/NSW Department of Primary Industries
 
 
Fixed evaporative air coolers
New research to explore water savings for cooling homes
Up to 100 Tamworth homeowners will receive a free maintenance check and tune-up of their home’s fixed evaporative air cooler as part of new water efficiency research. The study aims to reduce water use and lower ratepayers’ bills. 

During hot weather, evaporative air coolers can consume up to 100 litres of water per hour, placing a significant demand on the regional water supply and increasing ratepayers’ water bills.  

Homeowners who participate in the study will have an inline flow meter and data transmitter installed on their evaporative coolers. Water use will be measured over the coming summer months. A licensed plumber will complete the free maintenance check and tune up in mid-late 2024, valued at $200. The unit’s water use will again be measured during the next summer. 

The project is a collaboration between Tamworth Regional Council, the Department of Planning and Environment and the Institute of Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney.  

Places in the study are limited and expected to fill quickly. Find out more.
 
 
Chichester dam
Public consultation on annual performance indicators
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 read the consultation paper and have your say, visit the performance indicators webpage. Consultation closes on Tuesday 31 October 2023 at 11.59pm.
 
 
New facility at Murrin Bridge Cemetery
New facility at Murrin Bridge Cemetery
The Aboriginal Committees Water and Sewerage Program (ACWSP) in consultation with the Murrin Bridge Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) and Modus Australia, recently installed a new toilet block at the Murrin Bridge Cemetery. The community members at Murrin Bridge, one of several discreet Aboriginal Communities responsible for their burial grounds, strongly emphasised the need for a new toilet block near the cemetery during their regular meetings with the ACWSP team.  

The community chose the design and the feedback from community members has been overwhelmingly positive. They’ve taken to social media to share the news and have reaching out to ACWSP staff to express their thanks. The newly added toilet block has been warmly welcomed by the community and has been put to good use, particularly during sorry business. 
 
 
Protecting local water utilities from privatisation
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.  
 
 
aerial photo of a water supply plant
Find out more
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.
 
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