e-News Edition #22

Date: 12-Apr-2024

Hot Topics

1. Waterwise Program New Website - Check it out now!

2. National Water Reform 2024 Interim Report Released

3. Have your say on an Intergovernmental Agreement on Water

4. 2024 Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition - Sydney, 2nd - 4th September 2024

5. Reminder - Nominations for the WatSave Awards & Recognition of World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) 2024

6. 2024 Training Courses - What's coming up soon!

7. Focus on mental health - the post-holiday hangover 

1. Waterwise Program New Website - Check it out now!

We're thrilled to introduce the new Waterwise Programs website at www.waterwiseprograms.com.au! Dive in to explore a wealth of resources dedicated to water conservation.

But there's more! Ready to enhance your water efficiency? Here's how our website can assist:

• Find a Waterwise Specialist: Connect with experts who can provide personalized guidance on conserving water at home or in your business.
• Check Your Water Utility: See if your water utility offers a leak allowance or exemptions for new lawns, saving both water and money!
• Optimise Sprinkler Run Times: Learn about the ideal run times for your sprinklers to ensure efficient water usage and a healthy landscape.
• Explore More Tips & Tricks: Uncover a treasure trove of advice to reduce water consumption without compromising your lifestyle.

Want to Become a Waterwise Specialist? Discover what's involved and how you can make a difference!
Let's unite to preserve our most precious resource. Visit www.waterwiseprograms.com.au today and start your waterwise journey!

2. National Water Reform 2024 Interim Report Released

The Productivity Commission released its draft report on 4 April.
In summary, the report calls for governments to renew and update the National Water Initiative (NWI) to address the effects of climate change and growing and changing demand for water.

• Planning for water security should be a greater focus of a renewed NWI, in the face of an increasingly variable and changing climate.
• A renewed NWI should improve and expand on the existing agreement while retaining its foundations.
• A renewed NWI should include both an objective and a new element, recognising First Nations people’s reverence and cultural responsibility for water and the continued involvement and participation of First Nations people in water management.
• Many of the discrete actions under the NWI are complete, and most jurisdictions continue to make progress implementing their remaining and ongoing 2004 NWI commitments. However, gaps remain (including statutory perpetual water rights, fully independent economic regulation and a lack of actual outcomes around including First Nations people in water planning and decision making).

The web site includes a shorter overview document which includes draft recommendations from Page 16 onwards. Aside from recommendations specifically supporting the points above including a focus on climate and net zero, finding 8.1 and 8.2 is critical of states and territories’ progress in meeting their AS4747 metering commitments with specific suggestions to improve the rollout of more accurate meters.
The Commission invites written submissions in response to its interim report and submissions are due by 24 April 2024. Irrigation Australia will review the report in detail to determine whether to provide follow up to its initial submission.

3. Have your say on an Intergovernmental Agreement on Water

The Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is running a five-week public consultation to help inform development of an intergovernmental agreement on water.The National Water Initiative (NWI) was established in 2004 between the state, territory and Australian governments to guide a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable approach to water resource planning and management in Australia.

The discussion paper includes a revised 6 objectives for the National Water Initiative:

• Objective 1 Securing water for all uses
• Objective 2 Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ water interests and values
• Objective 3 Climate resilient water management - Objective 4 Ensuring evidence-based decision making
• Objective 5 Transparent, strategic water infrastructure investment
• Objective 6 Sustained community trust and confidence in government, water agencies, water managers and users

Visit Consultation hub | Seeking views on a future national water agreement - Climate (dcceew.gov.au) to have your say; alternatively contact dave.cameron@irrigation.org.au if you’d like to contribute to Irrigation Australia’s likely response.

The survey closes Friday 3 May 2024.

4. 2024 Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition - Sydney, 2nd - 4th September 2024

The Irrigation Australia Exhibition Prospectus and Sponsorship Prospectus for the 9th Asian Regional Conference for Irrigation and Drainage, the 75th International Executive Council meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage and 2024 Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition has been released, offering unparalleled exposure, networking, and business expansion opportunities.

Act swiftly to secure your spot at this premier event, as early bird registrations will soon be available, offering discounted rates for a limited time only.

The conference promises a rich program with presenters from around the globe, and a structure designed to maximise interaction. Around 100 exhibitors will showcase the most innovative products and services currently available on the market. We are confident that delegates from across the industry will return home with new connections, new friends, and new ideas to try in their own regions, wherever they may be.

A special thank you to our major 2024 sponsors!

To stay updated on the event and secure your participation, keep an eye on the official event website.

5. Reminder - Nominations for the WatSave Awards & Recognition of World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) 2024

The nominations for the 2024 WatSave Awards and Recognition of World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) for the upcoming 75th IEC Meeting are open for all the National Committees (NC). The nomination submission deadline is 31 May 2024, but as the nominations need to be ratified by National Committees (to ensure that it is genuine and not been submitted elsewhere), the deadline for members to send applications to Irrigation Australia is 17 May 2024.

(A) WatSave Awards

The WatSave Awards are given in four categories: (i) Technology (ii) Innovative Water Management (iii) Young Professionals; and (iv) Farmer(s) to recognize outstanding contribution to water conservation or water-saving for the benefit of all water users. Only one nomination in each category is allowed from a member NC. More details about the award such as scope and objective, the procedure for submitting nominations can be accessed at http://icid-ciid.org/award/watsave/43Each of the above awards carries an honorarium of US$ 2000 and a Citation/ Plaque. In the event, the award is given to a team; the amount shall be paid to the nominated leader of the team for equally sharing among themselves later. WatSave awards are not given to a person for a variety of works done by him/her for water saving in his/her lifetime, but for a particular technology or innovation. As such the technology or innovation being nominated needs to be clearly highlighted in the submission. More details about WatSave Award are available here: http://icid-ciid.org/award/watsave/43 

(B) World Heritage Irrigation Structures

Nominations are invited for the selection of “World Heritage Irrigation Structures” (WHIS) that includes both old operational irrigation structures as well as those having an archival value. A National Committee can nominate up to 4 structures, using separate nomination forms for each. Associated Members and non-member countries can nominate their structures through the neighbouring active national committees. The process for receiving WHIS nominations from National Committee is continuous and open. All NCs are invited to send nominations of World Heritage Irrigation Structures in the prescribed form available at https://icid-ciid.org/award/his/44. The nominations for WHIS 2024, if received before the deadline, will be considered by the Panel of Judges for inclusion in the ICID Register of Heritage Irrigation Structures. The successful nominee will be presented a “Plaque”, citing the salient features of the WHIS during the 75th IEC meeting.

More details about World Heritage Irrigation Structures are available here: https://icid-ciid.org/award/his/44. The same deadlines apply as for WatSave Awards.  

6. 2024 Training Courses - What's coming up soon! 

Seize this opportunity to elevate your skills in this crucial and continually expanding industry!

Explore Upcoming Courses Here.

NSW - Certificate III in Irrigation Course - Block 1 of 4 - MAY 2024 NSW INTAKE - Certificate III in Irrigation Technology AHC32422 - NSW (irrigationaustralia.com.au)

Griffith NSW - Meter Installation & Validation - 3 Full Day Sessions - Meter Installation & Validation - Face-to-Face (irrigationaustralia.com.au)

SA - Certificate III in Irrigation Course - Block 1 of 4 - APRIL 2024 SA INTAKE- Certificate III in Irrigation Technology AHC32422 SA (irrigationaustralia.com.au)

Brisbane, QLD - Electrofusion & Butt Welding Course - 2 Day Training Course - Electrofusion and Butt Welding - QLD (irrigationaustralia.com.au)

Brisbane, QLD - Meter Installation & Validation - 3 Full Day Sessions - Meter Installation & Validation - Face-to-Face - QLD (irrigationaustralia.com.au)

7. Focus on mental health - the post holiday hangover

The post-holiday hangover is indeed real and shows up in our workplaces following holidays like Easter - we all have a few days away from work, and often we venture away from our usual lifestyle habits. “The Hangover” could be characterised as a mix of emotional, social, and physical factors, all of which can be observed in the workplace. That bubbly personality may be missing and less obvious; the social chat around the coffee machine may have tapered off to just a grunt or a G’day; and that can’t be bothered body language when undertaking tasks could be more visible and out of character for some. Many of us will experience a dip in mood as we all return to our routine schedules, thinking about all that chocolate we ate and those liquid refreshments we probably deserved but overindulged in, the financial cost of going away for a few days and the impact that will have on an already stressed budget, and the exhaustion that trying to meet expectations can bring.

“The Hangover” is common and normal behaviour but too often ignored in workplace conversation or treated as a failure by individuals to perform to a benchmark which has been set over time. The conversation will help normalise understanding that a bump in the journey is OK, in fact it can build resilience and strength if dealt with openly.While these hangover feelings are common, they typically diminish as individuals readjust back to their normal schedules. 

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.