Policy
Australia Post Master Service Agreement
Following negotiations during 2019, Australia Post has revised its Master Service Agreement (MSA) proposal for the Victorian water industry. Key features of the updated proposal include: no minimum transaction volume in order to access the higher tier rate for over the counter transactions ($2.40 excluding GST) and no compulsion for all water corporations to join…
Read More2021 Water Industry Asset Revaluation
During February, VicWater held a meeting of the 2021 Water Industry Asset Revaluation Working Group. The Working Group includes water corporations, VAGO, DTF, VGA and DELWP. Working group members, led by the Valuer General Victoria, are now reviewing the valuation guidance prepared for the 2016 valuation to ensure requirements pertaining to the updated DTF Financial…
Read MoreReview of the recycled water guidelines – red tape reduction
Water corporations will benefit from a substantial reduction in red tape under the proposed revised recycled water guidelines, with improvements that include:– Health and Environmental Management Plans (HEMP) amendments will require no regulatory approval– Minor changes to scheme operations will require no regulatory approval– Plant disruptions that do not affect water supply require no notification–…
Read MoreHigh Usage and Leakage Allowance
VicWater has formed a working group to review the VicWater High Usage Guidelines and engage with important stakeholders such as the ESC and EWOV. A scope has been drafted for a consultant to facilitate a water industry and stakeholder workshop as well as draft the new guidelines. A video conference update will be held on March 11.
Read MoreAustralian Guidelines for Water Recycling
VicWater is currently taking member feedback on a potential submission on the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks. A consultation draft was circulated to water corporations by DHHS (Vic) on 14 February 2020.
Read MoreConstruction Procurement – Major Projects Standard Contract
The VicWater Major Projects Standard Contract Working Group met 14 February. The water industry will develop a bespoke major projects contract in order to comply with the new Ministerial Standing Directions for Construction Procurement. The Working Group is currently preparing a request for quote to appoint a firm to draft the new contract.
Read MoreCarbon offsets
VicWater, together with Melbourne Water, is forming a working group to develop an industry position on the purchase of carbon offsets including setting principles for balancing carbon offset quality and value. The initial objective of the working group will be to draft a set of principles and priorities for carbon offset sourcing and procurement to…
Read MoreVBA liaison working group
Water corporations are enjoying a closer relationship with VBA following the reconstitution of the VBA and water industry liaison group. VicWater has issued invitations for a series of meetings during 2020 to make progress on issues such as data sharing, incident notifications and fault notifications.
Read MoreEmerging contaminants risk assessment
Draft Emerging Contaminants Risk Assessment report were circulated to water corporations prior to Christmas. The reports will be finalised very early in February. 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…
Read MoreInfrastructure Victoria
Infrastructure Victoria (IV) published the Reforming Water Sector Governance paper and the accompanying Marsden Jacobs report in October last year. The paper and report was the product of a workshop and consultation process involving many water corporations representatives during early 2019. IV has requested VicWater’s help to provide an overall response and perspective on individual actions proposed by Marsden…
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