e-News Edition #16

Date: 23-Nov-2023

Hot Topics

1. Message from CEO

2. Join Irrigation Australia as our Business Manager - Training - Apply Now!

3. Irrigation Australia Exhibition and Sponsorship Prospectus for 2024 - Check it out now!

4. Irrigation Australia Conference & Exhibition - Call for Abstracts!

5. Storage Meter Installation & Validation - 5th-7th December 2023 - Trangie, NSW

6. Jobs and Skills Australia Stakeholder Survey

7. Funding Opportunity Through the National Water Grid Fund

8. Check out your communications preferences with Irrigation Australia now to get more targeted messages!

9. Adoption of ACT Non-Urban Metering Policy

1. Message from CEO

Back home today after an excellent few days in Melbourne attending the industry breakfast hosted by the Victorian committee and visiting with a number of members, prospective members and stakeholders.

The guest speaker was former AFL player Glenn Manton, whose career beyond football and life lessons are incredibly interesting. He is a co-founder of Whitelion, an organisation devoted to assisting youth in crisis within the juvenile justice system. Glen was both funny and thought-provoking around topics like mental health, and the influence of mentors in his life and career, particularly Alec “Kookaburra” Epis.

Thanks to all who contributed to organising the event, and of course the many sponsors. I’d like to specifically acknowledge Andrew Rathjen who took a day to drive me around to meet people – Andrew is putting an enormous effort into renewal for the Victorian committee following a number of key departures – if you’re in the region and keen to contribute ideas to support a stronger irrigation industry in the State, please reach out.

A capacity crowd with Glen Manton in full flight.

There will be more to come soon, but I am very pleased to be able to announce a partnership with TIACS – short for “This Is A Conversation Starter” as our Chair’s charity for at least the next 12 months. You may have seen Irrigation Australia staff wearing Trademutt workwear for a while – TIACS and Trademutt are inextricably linked with TIACS being the charity arm offering free phone and text counselling and mental health support for tradies, truckies, rural and blue collar worker. This is the theme chosen by our team after a tough few years for all in our industry, we hope you become as passionate as we are about supporting it.

2. Join Irrigation Australia as our Business Manager - Training - Apply Now!

Irrigation Australia, is a not-for-profit member-based association representing Australia’s irrigation industry, is dedicated to advancing the Irrigation industry through training and certification.

Irrigation Australia is seeking an experienced Business Manager – Training, to oversee the management of its Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Irrigation Training Australia RTO: 91313, as well as working with our CEO and other staff to develop other key aspects of our business.

The Business Manager – Training, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the skills and expertise of professionals within the Irrigation industry while also contributing to the growth and development of Irrigation Australia’s ongoing initiatives.

We are looking for a highly motivated person who thrives on building relationships, managing internal staff and key external stakeholders responsible for the delivery of our training and its quality resources, to commence in early 2024.

To view the position description and apply, click here.

3. Irrigation Australia Exhibition and Sponsorship Prospectus for 2024 - Check it out now!

Welcome Davey and Brown Brothers as major event sponsors!

Spots are filling quickly! The 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 click here to see your Sponsorship and Exhibition opportunities available.

4. Irrigation Australia Conference & Exhibition - Call for Abstracts!

The Call for Abstracts is now live, and we're inviting you to submit your ideas, research results and practical case studies. This is your chance to be a thought leader, share your expertise on the grand stage, and shape our industry's direction. Don't wait; seize the opportunity and submit your submission now.

Theme: Irrigation’s role in delivering economically viable food security and sustainable urban green spaces in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Head to https://irrigationconference2024.com.au/call-for-abstracts to review the sub-themes and a further eye on these e-news articles for other opportunities as the program evolves.

We want the conference program for this event to be inclusive – encouraging all members and stakeholders with valuable learning experiences to participate. Technical or operational presentations on designs and installations for example are welcome and it doesn’t have to be “bright and shiny.” We want this to be a learning experience for all delegates and the projects from hell with what you’ve learnt or how you’ve innovated to fix problems are strongly encouraged. Please reach out to dave.cameron@irrigation.org.au if you’d like to discuss an idea or get some help in pulling an abstract together.

5. Storage Meter Installation & Validation - 5th-7th December 2023 - Trangie, NSW

FINAL CALL! NSW Government Funding Available.

Storage Meter Installation & Validation – 5th – 7th December 2023 – Trangie, NSW

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

6. Jobs and Skills Australia Stakeholder Survey

The Jobs and Skills Australia 2024 Skills Priority List (SPL) stakeholder survey is now open until 5pm (AEDT) Friday 23 February 2024 and you’re invited to contribute.

Why should you contribute?

The information that you provide as part of this survey will give insights into the recruitment challenges and occupations that might be in shortage across the Australian labour market and will help make sure the 2024 Skills Priority List is based on comprehensive evidence.

The most recent release of the SPL (2023) provided rich insights that have already been used in many valuable ways, and we look forward to the next SPL to build upon this knowledge base.

For more on the stakeholder survey and how it’s used, visit the SPL Methodology page.

Irrigation Australia intends to submit – if you’d prefer to include ideas or data as part of that submission, please contact dave.cameron@irrigation.org.au.

7. Funding Opportunity Through the National Water Grid Fund

The NSW Government is calling for expressions of interest to participate in the Australian Government’s next round of National Water Grid funding applications in January 2024.

The National Water Grid Fund is making funding available for priority water infrastructure projects to improve the reliability and security of water for Australia’s regional and remote towns, agriculture and primary industry sectors.

This includes both funding new water infrastructure and investing in scientific research to drive long-term, economically sound, environmentally sustainable and culturally responsive benefits for local communities.

It also includes funding crucial water security projects in regional and remote First Nations communities as part of Closing the Gap.

To find out more and if your organisation is eligible, click here.

8. Check out your communications preferences with Irrigation Australia now to get more targeted messages!

Irrigation Australia is continuously improving its customer management system.

As we look at ways to improve our communication with our members with a more strategic approach, we need to know which region/s you are working in to make sure that you are getting the information relevant to you.

There is now a section in your account where you can select which region/s are relevant to you!

To do this, log into your Irrigation Australia Account located on the top right-hand side of our Irrigation Australia website.

Once logged in under the tab ‘My Profile’, you will see a section called ‘Additional Details’ with an ‘Edit’ button next to it. Click on this button and a ‘State of Interest’ with tick boxes will appear for you to choose from on which states are relevant for you. Once selected, click the ‘Save’ button, and that is all done.

If you experience any issues with the above, please email info@irrigation.org.au, and one of our friendly staff will be able to assist you.

9. Adoption of ACT Non-Urban Metering Policy

The ACT Non-urban Metering Policy has been adopted and is now available on Access Canberra’s website Non-urban-Water-Metering-Policy-October-2023.pdf (act.gov.au).

Implementation of the policy is expected to be rolled out in three stages between 1 December 2023 and 31 December 2024.

To prepare for the implementation of the Policy, the ACT Government is trying to make existing suitably qualified persons aware of the upcoming requirements for accuracy testing and meter validations, as well as encourage potential new qualified persons.

If you are interested in undertaking a ‘Certified Meter Installer and Validator’ training course through Irrigation Australia for the purposes of working in the ACT, please email training@irrigation.org.au with your location and this will be factored into scheduling for 2024.

As background information, in the ACT:

There are currently 180 active licence holders
Approximately 70% of licenses are for groundwater use
There are approximately 310 active water meters, in both urban and rural settings
Licensed water take ranges from 0.5ML to 523ML per year

Further information is available by contacting Sara McIntyre from the ACT Office of Water at sara.mcintyre@act.gov.au

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.

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