E-NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2022

Message from the Treasurer - Jessica Ward
Welcome to the first newsletter of the 2022 Stormwater Victoria Committee! We've already been very busy welcoming and inducting the new members and planning out the year. It's been wonderful to see some fresh perspectives and to work with passionate people contributing to our great industry. We have kicked off from the AGM with a lot of energy and I'm excited for you to see how we're building from the learnings and challenges of the past 2 years, strengthening partnerships and opening up new lines of engagement to advocate for Stormwater.
 
I'm very pleased to be joining the Executive team as Treasurer this time round, and for the new committee members who have joined (be sure to check out their profiles in this Outlet edition). It's a very exciting time for the Stormwater industry and we have a lot to build on from the previous year. To recap some of this, we have been continuing with our popular webinars, we have been outreaching to a wider audience through this media and our increased social media presence, and we have engaged the membership to form position papers on a range of subjects. One of these we are wrapping up as we speak, responding to the Sustainable Water Strategy. We are thankful to our members for providing their thoughts and opinions on this, so stay tuned for that to be uploaded to our website soon.

We’re pleased that policy reflects our advocacy position on important issues, such as clarify existing roles and responsibilities to ensure the water, land-use planning and urban development sectors can deliver on IWM outcomes (Policy 3.2) as well as key actions such as Investigating options for large-scale recycled water and treated stormwater networks in Greater Melbourne (Action 3.4), and Embedding stormwater flow requirements (Action 3.16). SV hopes to continue building our relationship with DELWP and other agencies to drive necessary change in this space.
 
So what's next? As we come out of winter and start to enjoy these longer days, you can't help but feel renewed energy and change is in the air. We are turning towards a more proactive approach to engaging with a wider range of partners and collaborators, and we are aiming to build on the reconnection theme from the previous year, kicking off with an in-person event this October with the very popular, much loved Water Drinks in collaboration with Clearwater. This will be followed closely by Christmas Drinks! I hope to see many of you at these events to share what you've been up to in the industry lately and the exciting things coming up.

Apply to Join the IWC Water Leadership Program by 31 October 2022 to Boost Your Leadership Capacity
What is leadership? It’s a social process of influence that delivers direction, alignment and commitment; it’s about initiating and driving positive change like the type of change needed to meet the Victorian Healthy Waterways Strategy objectives. It’s NOT a position reserved for executives and politicians.

Who should develop their leadership capacity? Everyone who feels deeply about the value of achieving goals like the Sustainable Development Goals, wants to initiate and drive positive change, and become more influential. Driving positive change in a complex water world is not simple and requires a broad set of leadership abilities (e.g. mindset, identity, confidence, skills, knowledge and tools). Most people who participate in the International WaterCentre’s Water Leadership Program at Griffith University have developed technical and management skills, and have got to a point in their careers where they recognise the need to supplement these skills with abilities relating to influence, communication and driving change so they can make a bigger difference and achieve their purpose. 
Fortunately, we can consciously develop the mindset, confidence, knowledge and skills needed for effective leadership in different contexts within the water sector. We have a good understanding of how to do this, we know what sort of leadership roles are important and needed in the water sector, and we know the keys to playing these roles well and traps to avoid. The IWC Water Leadership Program has been running annually for the last 11 years. It draws on leadership research in the water sector and best practice leadership development techniques to deliver a customised, part-time, 10 month, feedback-intensive leadership development program for emerging water leaders (i.e. non-executive leaders with at least three years experience in the water sector).

The program includes two face-to-face intensives, many short online workshops, three rounds of one-to-one coaching, several rounds of peer feedback, leadership plans and projects, numerous guest speakers and water leadership case studies. It places an emphasis on ‘learning by doing’ (i.e. conscious practice of new approaches to leadership), combined with feedback, support and reflection.

We would like to congratulate all the participants from the 2022 round of the IWC Water Leadership Program who have just graduated, including many from Victoria. Applications are now open to join the next round of the program which begins on 1 December 2022. Information on the program can be found here. This link can also be used to apply online. Applications to join the next round of the program need to be made before 31 October 2022.
 
If you would like more detail about the program, please contact Dr André Taylor, the IWC's Leadership Specialist and program coordinator, on ph. 0438 182 709, or andre.taylor@griffith.edu.au.

Meet our New SV Committee Members!
Alan Davidson - I am a stormwater engineer, with 15 years’ experience over geographies covering North Queensland, Papua New Guinea, Victoria and Scotland. I’m passionate about using a well-considered approach to stormwater to provide multiple outcomes, including more liveable communities, enhanced ecosystems and waterways, and water supply diversity. Working predominantly out of the Geelong region, I’m looking forward to providing some regional representation to the Stormwater Victoria committee, and generally being more engaged with the stormwater industry. During what was the endless boredom of lockdown, I built a raised veggie box in my front yard and am now a dedicated veggie gardener!
John Phillips - Working in the stormwater industry means that I have to consider range of issues to achieve a positive outcome for stakeholders; climate change, water quality, flooding, and limited resources, to name a few. This would be impossible to do on my own but I benefit from being part of an industry full of focused and energetic individuals who want to provide the best feasible solutions. There is a sense of cooperation and knowledge sharing even with competition between different organisations, we are pulling in the same direction to improve not just the industry but the environment and our communities. I am relatively new to Australia after working abroad for many years, so I am most excited about meeting other members within Stormwater Vic. I hope I will have the opportunity to learn from the multitude of perspectives and ideas in the industry.
During lockdown I spent a lot of time stuck at home so like lots of people I became a baker, and to be honest my banana bread is exceptional. But now as things are returning to normality, I have hung up my apron and I am returning to one of my favourite past times, exploring our beautiful natural surroundings. 
Karl Velasco - I became an engineer to make use of my problem-solving skills and landed in the stormwater industry by chance. I am glad I did as I like the environmental aspect of the field and the cross over to civil engineering. I’m excited to be a part of the SV Committee to get more involved in the industry with like-minded people as well as getting to know new people whom I might not come across usually. I’m also looking forward to discussing improvements on how we practise as an industry. I have lots of interests outside of the water industry, but my favourite hobby is listening to music. During lockdown I really got into online boardgames with friends, bit of chess and building custom keyboards to name a few.
Nathan Lindner - I was drawn to the stormwater industry as I have an innate fascination with water. Whether it be waterfalls in South America or hydraulic jumps in city gutters, water strikes me with awe. I also thoroughly enjoy working with people to design and build stuff. Enter the Water Engineer. I’m greatly looking forward to meeting SV members and committee members, from their many diverse professional backgrounds and organisations to gain a broader appreciation of the stormwater industry and beyond. During lockdown I got very good at eating copious amounts of food without any weight-gain-related side-effects. This has become a great hobby of mine since.
Sumari Smith - Growing up in South Africa, I fostered a passion for using a multi-disciplinary skillset to address key resilience challenges such as water and waste management, environmental conservation and equitable development. I love working in an industry that aims to have a positive impact on communities and creatively solve problems, with water being at the heart of all life. Joining the SV committee, I’m excited to build more impactful relationships, widen my perspective and contribute positively and proactively to the industry. The conference is always a hit and I look forward to helping make the next one just as much of a success. Outside of work hours, I enjoy creative activities such as baking, painting, pottery, dance, and theatre, as well as the outdoors and absorbing nature on bushwalks, free diving adventures and African safaris. 
Zubin Irani - I work as a water resources engineer at E2Designlab and love working in the stormwater industry thanks to its people! The water industry has a people from all walks of life and backgrounds, bringing a new and a valuable perspective on how water impacts their environment. I hope to get involved with events and communication at Stormwater Victoria and make them as fun and engaging as possible for everybody involved. When I am not doing water things, you can find me picking myself up off the basketball court in social competitions.
Case Study - Melbourne Ballpark, Altona
Stormwater for a Greener West

As part of Greater Western Water’s (GWW) Integrated Water Management (IWM) Program, stormwater harvesting projects aim to support and deliver enhanced social and economic benefits to the community by keeping public parks, gardens and sporting fields green working in collaboration with LGA’s and other partners in support of providing water for a greener west region.

Greater Western Water has completed the construction of a pipeline to supply stormwater harvested from the Laverton Stormwater Harvesting Scheme (SWHS) for irrigating the State Baseball Centre reserves in Altona. The Laverton Stormwater site was constructed in 2016 by Hobson Bay Council with GWW operating and maintaining the plant infrastructure to supply harvested stormwater on demand to irrigate Hobsons Bay Cricket Club Laverton Recreation Reserves and the State Baseball Centre. 
The State Baseball Centre currently relies on potable water for irrigation of its main playing field, and experience restrictions during peak summer periods where demands for irrigation compete with needs of amenities to the complex.

Funding was received by both DELWP and Melbourne Water recognising the enormous benefits of this projects to the community health and wellbeing and the improved environmental management of waterways with support from Hobson Bay council through their road maintenance contract, leveraging the installation of pipelines across the roadway providing a significant reduction in capital costing.

The new pipeline has been designed for future water poof more customers to the adjacent industrial park, thereby enabling GWW to service multiple users, Laverton Recreational Reserve and the State Baseball Softball Centre from a single localised source of harvested stormwater.

Stormwater Victoria October Water Drinks!

Mondays, am I right? Looking for a better more fulfilling way to start the week? Look no further, SV has the remedy for you.

Clearwater and Stormwater Victoria are hosting a networking event for practitioners involved in stormwater management and Integrated Water Management (IWM). We call it 'Water Drinks' but don't despair - wine and beer are on the menu.

This popular event is an opportunity to connect with colleagues in the industry and to share ideas, experience and perspectives in an informal environment. 

Please arrive at the Flagstaff Gardens Bowls Club from 5.30pm onwards for some short presentations and networking activities at 6.15pm.
Upcoming Events
October Water Drinks
Host: Stormwater VIC
Date: Monday, 17 October 2022
Time: 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm
Location: City of Melbourne Bowls Club, Flagstaff Gardens
Details: Clearwater and Stormwater Victoria are hosting this networking event for practitioners involved in stormwater management and Integrated Water Management (IWM)

Webinar: Escape from the Concrete Jungle
Host:Australian Water School
Date: Wednesday, 2 November 2022
Time: 10.00 am
Location: Online
Details: Discussion of river restoration projects that have been undertaken in urban settings, including both successes and failures.

VIC Gala Dinner & Awards Night
Host:Australian Water Association
Date: Thursday, 3 November 2022
Time: 6.30 pm - 11.30 pm
Location: Melbourne Town Hall
Details: Join the Victorian Branch of AWA as we honour the state's outstanding achievers.

Understanding and applying Victoria's stormwater planning requirements
Host: Clearwater
Date: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Time: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Location: Online
Details: This course is designed to help planners and engineers understand the integrated links between water and cities, understand the role and scope of the new statewide controls, and to help practitioners understand how to receive and assess applications in a way that best achieves our new stormwater objectives.

Operations and Maintenance Manual Workshop
Host: Stormwater VIC
Date: Tuesday, 22 November 2022
Time: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Knox Club, Wantirna South
Details: Stormwater Victoria is pleased to make available to stormwater stakeholders across the state, the 'Guidelines for the Maintenance of Stormwater Treatment Measures'. This program provides cleaning and maintenance guidelines for your stormwater assets. 

Stormwater Victoria End of Year Drinks
Host: Stormwater VIC
Date: Tuesday, 13 December 2022
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: The Wharf Hotel, Southbank
Details: Come celebrate the end of the year with Stormwater VIC!. 
Stormwater Victoria Corporate Sponsorship Prospectus
 
Are you interested in becoming a corporate sponsor? Stormwater Victoria has over 229 members and our mailing list and social media connections extends to well over 3,500!

We reach:

-     All levels of government across a breadth of disciplines
-     Civil and consulting engineers
-     Surveyors and urban planners
-     Academics and students
-     Manufacturers and suppliers
 
Sponsorship packages have been designed to provide flexible options and maximum exposure to our membership and industry stakeholders. Whether you want to sponsor one of our webinars, our newsletter or our upcoming conference, there are several packages to choose from.
Stormwater Victoria Major Sponsor: