Archived Industry News for Water Professionals
A $3.3 million groundwater research site is being officially launched at Willunga on Adelaide's southern fringe.
The Willunga Super Science initiative, one of five sites across Australia, is part of the Federal Government’s $15m Australian Super Science Initiative, with funding allocated through the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training at Flinders University.
Ten shallow bores and three deep wells have been drilled in the Pedler Creek catchment to study the interaction between the creeks and groundwater. Another 30 wells will be drilled to investigate flow from fractured rock highlands into the basin.
Pipeline to secure Hobart's water supply underway
An $8 million bulk water duplication pipeline project to secure supplies to greater Hobart has commenced.
Integrated urban water management tool released
The eWater CRC has released the Urban Developer Beta, a new tool to support integrated urban water management.
Government meets with Murray-Darling regional committees
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean and the new chairman of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Craig Knowles, have met with 11 Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees from the Murray-Darling Basin.
SA Opposition calls for Edwardstown groundwater contamination inquiry
The South Australian Opposition is calling for a full parliamentary inquiry into the Edwardstown groundwater contamination scare.
Mundaring Water Treatment Plant consortium announced
The Western Australian government has selected Helena Water as the preferred consortium to fund, build and operate the new Mundaring Water Treatment Plant.
2010-11 Southern Basin water entitlement purchase announced
A new $40 million water purchase tender in the southern connected Murray-Darling Basin has been announced by the Federal Government.
SA Water awarded millions in breach of contract row
SA Water has been awarded millions of dollars in a lengthy dispute with United Water over pricing.
New approach to Murray-Darling Basin water recovery
The Federal Government has announced a new approach to water recovery in the Murray Darling Basin, which will include changes to taxation arragnement for irrigators.
Urban Water panel meets in Adelaide
The Urban Water Stakeholder Reference Panel, which advises the Australian Government on urban water policies and programs, has met in Adelaide to discuss urban water management and the future of stormwater harvesting and reuse.
ALLWATER to take over Adelaide’s water and wastewater
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.
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.