Policy
Onsite waste water systems and sewer connection powers
VicWater is coordinating consultation on draft policy options to augment powers to connect properties to sewer services. This draft was circulated to water corporations during February. The DELWP ‘Onsite Domestic Wastewater Management Steering Committee’ has developed the policy options in response to VAGO Performance Audit in 2018. Detailed policy options were circulated to water corporations 24…
Read MoreCircular Economy Strategy
The Government has published the new circular economy strategy ‘Recycling Victoria: A New Economy‘ VicWater prepared a submission on the strategy discussion paper in August 2019. The submission focussed on water industry leadership in the circular economy, policy settings that influence the economic viability of water corporations’ circular economy activities and infrastructure, and policy settings for…
Read MoreDELWP planning and buffer reforms
During February, VicWater finalised a submission draft Buffer Overlay, with expert input from Glossop Consulting. VicWater is also continuing to provide technical support to DELWP to finalise the Planning Policy Framework and Clause 53.10 reforms. VicWater provided a formal submission on the Clause 53.10 reforms during December 2019. More details on these reforms are available…
Read MoreRecreational access to potable water storages
VicWater is continuing to work with DELWP to finalise a scope for a consultant project to provide a state-wide inventory of water storages, and identify cost and timing implications of providing recreational access at currently closed storages, on a transparent per-storage basis.
Read MoreVBA liaison working group
The next water industry VBA liaison working group meeting will take place on 16 March. Water corporations are currently progressing actions relating to notifications of works and plumbing compliance certificates at schools supplied with recycled water.
Read MoreFinance Issues Steering Committee
The Finance Issues Steering Committee (FISC) met 13 February to progress priority projects including: updating the ESC accounting code, the National Tax Equivalence Regime, the Puddle Account, the 2021 Asset Valuation, Accounting Standards, and cost of debt.
Read MoreCarbon offsets
Sixteen water corporations have nominated to join the Carbon offsets for Victorian Water Corps Working Group. Melbourne water is currently leading the development of a project scope to draft a set of principles and priorities for carbon offset sourcing and procurement, to assist Melbourne Water’s need to explore such topics in preparation for its upcoming…
Read MoreEPA license review and transition
As part of the transition to the new Environment Protection Act, EPA is commencing a review of all licences. Significant changes include: updated standard conditions for Risk Management and Monitoring Programs, changed licence limits to align with the General Environmental Duty (licences will have a maximum allowable limit and 90th%il limit), and new reporting and…
Read MoreEPA Water Subordinate Legislation
The EPA Water Industry Reference Group (WIRG) met 25 February.. A focus of discussion was on the EPAs response to industry feedback on the draft subordinate legislation which was published in September 2019. In response to water industry (and other sectors) feedback, significant changes have been made to the ‘declaration of use’ instrument and waste classifications,…
Read MoreEmerging contaminants environmental risk assessment
Final emerging contaminants risk assessment reports have been provided to water corporations. This risk assessment of emerging contaminants and new ANZECC parameters (at $2500 per assessed site) has saved water corporations hundreds of thousands of dollars, compared to alternative options to assess risk from these pollutants. This project and its results will be integral for…
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