E-NEWSLETTER MAY 2023

Message from the Vice President - Alice Lisitsa
Welcome to our May edition of the Outlet. The year is just flying by and it’s all happening at Stormwater Victoria and within the industry at large! 

Stormwater Victoria recently held a thought-provoking and very timely Stormwater Flow Target series, which was a great opportunity to learn about the upcoming changes. This event series included a breakfast seminar, giving us another occasion to play catchup on some in-person networking.

We also held a member session on the Flood Inquiry from the October 2022 flood event and are collating all your thoughts into a submission paper to the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee.

On another note, we are well underway with planning our Victorian Urban Drainage Manual, which at this stage means getting your input and your ideas for what it should look like and how it can best serve the industry. The next session is coming up on the 16th of May so we really need you to come along and have your say!

You may also be interested to know that our committee is holding a planning day at the end of May, where we will be strategising our upcoming year of activities, building on existing projects and targeting new priorities. When you see us at the June conference, we will be taking you through our plans and seeking your feedback, so come along so you can join in the discussion.

And finally, this brings us to the big one…our 2023 Stormwater Victoria State Conference: “Driving Change and Embracing Challenge”. After one of our most successful conferences in Geelong last year, with record turnout, we are excited to see what this year’s event will bring in Ballarat. We have some superstars in our Keynote line-up, lots of intriguing presentations in the program, plus a fun filled Conference Dinner planned. So, if you haven’t already, jump online, check out the program and get onto the registrations!!

Stormwater Victoria Conference Update

The Stormwater Victoria Conference is fast approaching. Keynote speakers, panel participants and dinner entertainment have been confirmed and will be sure to engage.
Stormwater Victoria is also offering a scholarship for undergraduate university students to attend this year’s conference.

The scholarship is by application and will cover the cost of attendance at the conference. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get some industry exposure and see what’s happening in the world of stormwater. Applications will be open till Monday, 8th May 2023 so if you are a student or know of a student who would be interested, you are encouraged to apply here.

Thank you to all those registrations that have made the opportunity available to the next generation of Stormies! Standard registration for the conference will close on Wednesday, 31st May 2023. 
Flood Enquiry Update

The Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee is currently investigating Victoria’s preparedness for, and response to Victoria’s major flooding event of October 2022. The Committee are seeking submissions and have invited Stormwater Victoria to express their views via a submission. 

As part of Stormwater Victoria’s core role in policy and advocacy, the Association will be making a submission on behalf of our membership. As part of this submission process, Stormwater Victoria held a members only meeting on the 20th April 2023. Thank you to all those who attended and provided valuable insights to the Stormwater Victoria Flood Inquiry submission that is currently being prepared for Monday, 8th May 2023.

The key topics discussed as part of the meeting included:

  • The flood event as a whole and the areas affected
  • What caused or contributed to the event
  • The role of emergency services; government agencies and flood mitigation strategies
  • The Victoria Planning Framework and incorporation of climate change in the Planning Scheme Amendment
  • 2016 Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy
  • Stormwater Victoria’s Role and Key Advocacy Avenues
  • Advocacy for State-Government Lead Approaches to Stormwater and Floodplain Management
 
A copy of the submission will be available to take a look at on the website once completed so watch this space! 

2022 Flow Target Series Update
The final Webinar in the Flow Targets series "Modelling Potential New Assets", was held early April with over 100 people in attendance. For those who weren’t able to make the final webinar a recording is available for all registered attendees.

Stormwater Victoria would like to thank all who registered and attended and a huge shout out to the Events Committee for pulling this together. 
Upcoming Events
Stormwater Victoria VUDM Engagement Session
Host: Stormwater Victoria
Date: 16 May 2023
Time: 12.00 pm - 1.30 pm
Location: Online

Details: The Victorian Urban Drainage Manual (VUDM) is a much anticipated Stormwater Victoria initiative aimed at consolidating the industry’s knowledge, guidelines and standards on drainage design in to a single “How to” guide in an effort to provide some much needed clarity and support to stormwater professionals in Victoria. This will be an all-encompassing document allowing surface water professionals to follow a step by step drainage design regardless of project size, anywhere in Victoria. It will provide users the relevant drainage requirements including calculating hydrographs, designing conveyance and detention infrastructure and all things WSUD. We are now well underway with the Framework development but we need your help.
Come along and have your say, ask your questions, provide your expert input and be part of the birth of the first state wide manual in drainage.
Please note this is a Member ONLY event.

VIC Tree Planting Day
Host: Australian Water Association
Date: 21 May 2023
Time: 10.00 am - 2.00 pm
Location: Koroit Creek, Altona

Details: Join AWA for a day of tree planting and rebuilding habitat for the rare Altona skipper butterfly. All friends and family welcome!
This year AWA will be planting 1,000 seedlings just west of Millers Road along Kororoit Creek in Altona to support habitat for the Altona Skipper Butterfly. The trees act as a vital link between the butterfly population in “The Pines”, in Seaholme and another population next to Cherry Lake. AWA has been working with Melbourne Water supporting the initiative since 2015 and we are now in our 7th year of planting together. This year, we will hear from Gerard Morel, Waterways and Land Officer, Melbourne Water on the environmental significance of this project and walk around the habitat created from previous years’ effort.
This important work is being made possible thanks to a grant AWA VIC secured through Melbourne Water's Livable Communities, Livable Waterways and AWA's ongoing support. A casual BBQ lunch will be provided. Registrations essential for catering and to receive the specific meeting site prior to the event.
Family, friends, colleagues and community are all welcome, including dogs on a leash.

Ozwater'23
Host: Australian Water Association
Date: 9 - 12 May 2023
Location: ICC, Sydney

Details: Ozwater is an annual three-day conference and exhibition featuring a strong line-up of international and national keynote speakers, scientific and technical papers, case studies, workshops, panel sessions and poster presentations.
2023 Stormwater Victoria Conference
Host: Stormwater Victoria
Date: 6 - 8 June 2023
Location: Ballarat, Victoria

Details: The 2023 Stormwater Victoria conference is set to take place in Ballarat with the four conference themes including:

  • Inspiring a Shared Vision
  • Innovation and Crossing Boundaries
  • Fostering Collaboration and Building Trust
  • Taking Action and Celebrating Successes


VIC Young Water Professionals Ball 2023
Host: Australian Water Association
Date: 22 June 2023
Time: 7.00 pm - 11.00 pm
Location: 61 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf

Details: Mark your calendars for the biggest night out of the year for the Young Water Professionals.
This night promises to be full of dining, drinking, dressing up and dancing as we celebrate the water industry's achievements with a Flower Power theme. Come and help us share the good vibes at the Showtime Events Centre, located along the Yarra, on June 23rd, 2023.
There will be a delicious three-course meal and an open bar to ensure a night of fun and groovy vibes. Our DJ will be playing tunes that will get you dancing the night away, so make sure to wear your best Flower Power inspired attire. The attendee with the most creative outfit will receive a prize and most importantly, bragging rights. Take advantage of the photo booth to capture memories with your colleagues, clients, and partners. This is the perfect opportunity to spread the love and make new connections.

VIC Technical Event - Legal Status for Waterways: Where are we Headed?
Host: Australian Water Association
Date: 29 June 2023
Time: 5.30 pm - 8.00 pm
Location: Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands VIC

Details: This seminar will explore the Victorian Government’s policy to recognise waterways as living entities in law and its potential impact on water management in Victoria.
Work is currently being undertaken by the Victorian Government that will lead to engagement over the next few years with Traditional Owners and the water sector to develop legislative proposals to recognise Victorian waterways as living entities. This could lead to a wider application of the type of legislation that has been implemented to recognise the Birrarung (Yarra River) as a living entity; legislation that recognises the intrinsic connection of Traditional Owners and their role as custodians of the Birrarung land and water, and requires, as a principle, an environmental net gain for any project on Yarra River Land.
The water sector needs to prepare for these discussions by understanding the potential legal mechanisms for giving legal status to nature and the potential impacts for water management of changing the legal status of waterways.
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: