e-News Edition #13

Date: 11-Sep-2023

Hot Topics

1. Exhibition and Sponsorship Prospectus Now Live - Secure your Spot Quick!

2. QLD - Wamuran Irrigation Scheme - Half Day Bus Tour - 5th October 2023 

3. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Webinar - Now Live!

4. Upcoming Webinar - Discover the Latest Non-Urban Water Metering - State by State 

5. Inquiry into the water Amendment (Resorting Our Rivers) Bill 2023

6. Celebrating First New Zealand Group to Complete Cert 3 In Technology with Irrigation Australia

7. WaterNSW DQP Portal Upgrade - Now Live!

8. WA Annual Regional Meeting 

9. ACT - Rainwater Harvesting Event - Rainwater Resilience: Integrating Rainwater to Strengthen Urban System and Mitigate Natural Disasters - 8th November 2023 - Parliament House, Canberra 

10. Exhibiting at WAHU (WA Horticultural Update in Oct 2023) - from Bec 

11. WA PITs Funding - 40 Additional Spots Now Available 

12. Training 23/24 Courses now available

13. Membership Benefits - Frequently Asked Questions Now Available 

1. Exhibition and Sponsorship Prospectus Now Live - Secure your Spot Quick!

We're thrilled to announce that the much-anticipated Irrigation Australia Exhibition and Sponsorship Prospectus for 2024 is now available, and it's your golden ticket to unprecedented exposure, networking, and business growth. Don't miss your chance – secure your spot today!

This event is linked to the ICID 9th Asian Regional Conference and brings together industry leaders and professionals to showcase the latest advancements and solutions in irrigation technology. With a rich history of success, the conference offers an unparalleled platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and business expansion. Take the chance to be part of this remarkable event that drives the future of irrigation!

Visit the official event website for the Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition and https://irrigationconference2024.com.au/sponsors-exhibitions/ for the exhibition and sponsorship prospectus.

The Call for Abstracts will be opening soon! Watch this space! 

2. QLD - Wamuran Irrigation Scheme - Half Day Bus Tour - 5th October 2023 

QLD Members are invited to participate in a bus tour of the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme. Bring along a colleague or customer, simply add them to your registration.

This is a rare opportunity to see a unique irrigation project which will supply Class A recycled water for farmers in the region.

$55.00 p/p (inc gst) - includes bus, Barista coffee and morning tea

Limited seating capacity - secure your spot early!

LEARN MORE AND/OR REGISTER HERE

3. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Webinar - Now Live. 

We kicked off our first webinar a couple of weeks ago with the theme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) led by John Harvie, the current Chair of our Certification Board and one of our most experienced trainers. 

The webinar covered in specific detail on

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and recent amendments made to the points table
• A demonstration of how to upload evidence to our site to support CPD for existing Certified Persons

This is a great opportunity to learn tips and tricks and provide direct feedback on this program designed to put a quality framework around your qualifications and help market your business.

To view the webinar, click here.

4. Upcoming Webinar - Discover the Latest in Non-Urban Water Metering - State by State 

Save the date: October 11th, 2023, at 2 pm AEST, for an in-depth online webinar that will provide you with the latest developments of Non-Urban Water Metering across Australia.

Hosted by Geoff Harvey, from Irrigation Australia, this exclusive event promises valuable insights into the state of water metering in various regions. Our expert panel comprises metering representatives from different states, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table.

What to Expect:

• CMI / DQP Training Course Updates & Opportunities – What training course are available & where is the current demand for non-urban water metering.
• State-by-State Updates: Gain an understanding of the latest developments and challenges in non-urban water metering across Australia.
• CMI / DQP Recertification: Learn about how & when to upload your CPD points & the new recertification online exam.
• Q & A Opportunities – there will be time set aside for questions and answers at the end of the presentation.

Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to enhance your knowledge and stay ahead in non-urban water metering. Mark your calendar for October 11th, 2023, at 10am AEST, and join us for this informative and insightful webinar.

Register for the webinar here.

To secure your spot, please register now!

To check when our next metering course is coming up with Irrigation Australia, click here.

For more information, click here.

5. Inquiry into the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 

On 7 September 2023, the Senate referred the provisions of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 8 November 2023.

Information regarding the bill can be found at Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 [Provisions] – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)

Submissions to this inquiry are invited by 29 September 2023. The committee encourages the lodgement of submissions in electronic form via the committee’s website. Alternatively, submissions can be lodged via email to ec.sen@aph.gov.au. Submissions should include the author's full name, phone number and postal address on a separate covering letter.

Please note that a submission becomes a committee document upon receipt and must not be disclosed to any other person until it has been accepted by the committee.

Unless you have requested that your submission remain confidential, it will be published on the committee's website after the committee has authorised its publication. Once a committee has authorised the release of a submission, subsequent publication is protected by parliamentary privilege.

6. Celebrating First New Zealand Group to Complete Cert 3 in Technology with Irrigation Australia

This week we see the final block of training for this unique course to wind up in New Zealand.

The first of more courses to come with the next scheduled for commencement in November 2023.

Enquiries are strong, with some employers already showing interest and enrolling staff.

Some logistical challenges along the way have been met with great support from students, local employers, Irrigation New Zealand, and their members.

Delivery has been contextualised to meet local industry needs while not missing the course elements essential for a qualification to be awarded.

Students will graduate with a qualification to take them places in the Irrigation Industry, setting them apart from others.

Further information on the Certificate III in Irrigation Technology can be found on our Irrigation Australia Website, including scheduled course dates, information on skill set training, and certification.

To find out more, click here.

7. WaterNSW DQP Portal Upgrade - Now Live 

WaterNSW is pleased to announce the DQP Portal upgrade has now been released.

DQP Portal improvements 

Different scenarios

The portal has been designed to process the most frequently used scenarios more effectively. The following scenarios have been redesigned to offer a more streamlined approach:

• New meter - new LID
• Replacement meter - new LID
• Existing meter - new LID
• Existing meter - replacement LID
• Site revalidation of existing meter and LID - maintenance

Simplified workflow activity 

The upgrade includes simplified workflow activity. The redesign removes unnecessary complexities and instead focuses on must-have information.

Quality assurance 

Quality assurance (QA) checkpoints have also been implemented to allow WaterNSW to check information before it progresses. QA checks will take place during the site registration, final commissioning and validation form stages. 

If you have any questions, please call WaterNSW on 1300 662 077 or email DQP.Enquiries@waternsw.com.au

8. WA Annual Regional Meeting 

We extend an invitation to all our WA Members to attend the region’s 2023 Annual Regional Meeting. Come along and learn how the Association has supported its members and the wider irrigation industry in Western Australia over the past 12 months.

If you are passionate about the industry that supports you, consider volunteering for the WA Regional Committee. Whilst this region has a large number of Committee volunteers, we welcome interested parties to join us and share new insights to guide the region and support our Members.

Catch up with old acquaintances and make new ones over some light refreshments at the conclusion of the meeting.

LEARN MORE AND/OR REGISTER HERE

9. ACT - Rainwater Harvesting Event - Rainwater Resilience: Integrating Rainwater to Strengthen Urban Systems and Mitigate Natural Disaster - 8th November 2023 - Parliament House, Canberra 

You are invited to join Rainwater Harvesting Australia (a division of Irrigation Australia) at a discussion on:

• Mitigating natural disasters & building resilient cities
• Revisiting stormwater and urban waterways
• Urban stormwater land use planning policies in South Australia

Light refreshments and finger food will be served at the conclusion of the discussion

$165 inc gst p/p non-member / $110 inc gst p/p Rainwater Harvesting / IAL member

LEARN MORE AND/OR REGISTER HERE

10. Exhibiting at WAHU (WA Horticultural Update in Oct 2023) - from Bec 

Irrigation Australia is set to participate in the upcoming WA Horticulture Update (WAHU), a two-day industry expo hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) on October 31 and November 1, 2023.

The event will feature a diverse array of industry collaborators and exhibitors presenting their newest offerings.

Irrigation Australia invites its members to sign up for this event.

Hope to see you there!

Find the program and registration information on the Eventbrite website

11. WA PITS Funding - 40 Additional Spots Now Available

Irrigation Australia is excited to advise that there are 40 additional spots now available for irrigation industry businesses wanting to employ a subsidised trainee in Western Australia.

This training course includes everything an employee would need to learn to design, operate and maintain irrigation systems in a wide range of professional environments, such as:

• Local Government (councils)
• Landscapers
• Irrigation Retail Outlets
• Irrigation Contractors

Once the trainee has successfully completed the course, they will receive a Nationally Recognised Qualification as a Qualified Irrigation Technician.

Priority Industry Training (PIT) provides eligible participants with subsidised training opportunities under Jobs and Skills WA. Priority training areas include apprenticeships, eligible traineeships, and priority industry qualifications. This WA government funded training opportunity exists for irrigation industry businesses wanting to train existing workers in AHC32422 Certificate III in Irrigation Technology.

PITs subsidised traineeships are available to WA residents who are:

• existing employees or
• new employees with over 3 months of fulltime employment

Eligible PITs participants are required to pay a co-contribution fee of $2,905.50.

To register for the course and apply for the PITs funding, please email training@irrigation.org.au and we’ll do the rest.

12. Training 23/24 Courses now available

Don't miss your chance to enhance your skills and career opportunities in the rapidly growing field of irrigation! Our highly sought-after training courses are filling up fast for the rest of the year, so act quickly to secure your spot!

Why Choose Our Courses?

• Expert Instructors: Learn from industry-leading experts with years of hands-on experience.
• Practical Knowledge: Gain real-world, practical skills that are in high demand in the agriculture and landscaping sectors.
• Cutting-Edge Techniques: Stay up-to-date with the latest irrigation technologies and methods.
• Career Advancement: Boost your resume and open doors to exciting career opportunities.
• Limited Spaces: Hurry, our courses are in high demand, and spaces are filling up fast!

Whether you're new to irrigation or looking to refine your existing skills, our courses cater to all levels. Don't delay your journey to success - enrol now and secure your place in our upcoming irrigation training courses before they're fully booked!

Register now to save the date and secure your place today! Click here to see what courses are available now!

• Certificate III in Irrigation Technology NSW Intake – commencing 26th of September
• Certificate III in Irrigation Technology VIC Intake – commencing 26th of September
• Certificate IV in Irrigation Management NSW Intake – commencing 24th of October
• Meter Installation and Validation – Paterson, NSW – 24th – 26th October

We will be continuing to add courses regularly, so make sure to keep your eye out!

Email training@irrigation.org.au for more information.

13. Membership Benefits - Frequently Asked Questions Now Available 

Irrigation Australia is pleased to announce the launch of our FAQ page, designed exclusively for our valued members and students.

This resource provides you with step-by-step instructions, ensuring you have easy access to vital information.

Simplify your experience with us by exploring our FAQ section today and finding quick solutions to common queries.

We are committed to delivering support and service to our members, and this FAQ page is just another way we're achieving that goal.

Click here to access our FAQ page! Also located on how home page under our ‘Quick Access’ section.

Have you had a look and can’t find what you are looking for?

Email info@irrigation.org.au to contact one of our friendly staff members for assistance.

Click here if you are interested in becoming an Irrigation Australia Member.

Click here to view upcoming Training Courses.

Click here to view the latest Career Opportunities available within the Irrigation Industry.