Untitled - GWMWater

Transcription

Untitled - GWMWater

Contents
WHAT GUIDES US
Inside front
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR 04
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR
06
ABOUT GWMWATER
08
Who we are
08
What we do
08
GWMWater service area
09
UNDERSTANDING OUR BUSINESS 10
Our strategic framework
10
Government framework
11
Our sustainability framework
11
OUR BOARD AND EXECUTIVE
MANAGEMENT TEAM
12
RISK MANAGEMENT
COMPLIANCE ATTESTATION
18
HOW WE OPERATE
18
Managing our risks
18
Managing our quality systems
18
Managing assurance through audit
18
Compliance
18
Freedom of information
19
Building Act 1993
19
Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001
19
19
19
STANDING COMMITTEES OF
THE BOARD
14
Audit, governance and risk committee
14
National Competition Policy
Environment and works committee
15
Information available on request
Remuneration committee
15
CASE STUDY
Optimisation of pipeline operations for
efficient energy and water use
15
The Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project
16
Executive management team
16
OUR SERVICES
20
Urban water services
20
Rural water services
23
Advancing toward sustainability
24
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project area
25
Wimmera irrigation area
26
Channel decommissioning
27
Bulk entitlements to water
28
OUR EMPLOYEES
Our workforce – a snapshot
CASE STUDY Exercise Vortex
Victorian Counter - Terrorism Compliance
33
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
61
33
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
62
SERVICE PERFORMANCE
63
34
Respecting diversity and ensuring equality
35
Supporting our employees to achieve
37
Research Program
39
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE 64
CASE STUDY
Research Project: The impact of fuel reduction
burns on catchement processes and the
potability of downstream water supplies
39
PERFORMANCE STATEMENT
FOR 2008/09
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
AUDITOR-GENERALJS STATEMENT
OF PERFORMANCE
67
40
Victorian industry participation policy
40
Essential Services Commission
41
Consultancies and major contracts
41
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
42
Listening to our customers and stakeholders
42
Customer committees and engagement
42
Working with and supporting our community
44
Other activities
45
Managing our social and economic impacts
46
CASE STUDY
Tidy Towns award
49
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 50
’Our Water Our Future’
50
Sustainable water strategies
50
Statement of obligations
50
Drought response plan
51
Supply and distribution
51
Surface water
52
Groundwater
53
Water conservation activities
54
Victorian river health strategy
56
Our corporate environmental sustainability
57
CASE STUDY
Nhill intergrated water plan
60
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
66
69
FINANCIAL STATUTORY
CERTIFICATE 2009
100
AUDITOR-GENERALJS
FINANCIAL REPORT
101
DISCLOSURE INDEX
103
GLOBAL REPORTING
INITIATIVE INDEX
105
GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE
APPLICATION LEVEL TABLE
111
WHISTLEBLOWERS
PROTECTION ACT
112
Message From The Chairman And
The Managing Director
The past year has proven to be one of significant challenge and
change for GWMWater. Together with our customers, regional
stakeholders and government, we have been striving to achieve
the benefits of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, while our region
continues to contend with the ongoing effects of prolonged
dry conditions.
Since accelerating the project two years ago, the momentum for
delivering the pipeline continues to be maintained.
Approximately 3,500 kilometres of water pipelines were
installed over the reporting year, comparable to the 3,400
kilometres the previous year.
A total of 7,700 kilometres of pipeline has now been laid since
construction started in late 2006. Four of the seven supply
systems have been completed, with the remaining systems
under construction. The project is on track for completion by
early 2010 and the $688 million budget remains achievable.
Rural customers now receiving a piped water supply are pleased
with the quality and reliability of the new service. Connecting to
the pipeline has eliminated the need to cart water to meet basic
household and farm needs, a time consuming and costly
exercise for both our customers and GWMWater in past years.
Of the 36 towns to be supplied from the pipeline, water supply
to 20 towns is secure, and a temporary supply is being provided
to three towns from systems still under construction.
Significant effort is now being directed to decommissioning the
open channel system replaced through pipelining. GWMWater
has identified sections of the channel system that can be filled in
using a ‘traffic light’ planning process. This has enabled many
farmers to undertake works to remove channels from their
properties, another direct benefit of the project.
In early 2009, the Minister for Water approved amendments to
the bulk entitlements for the Wimmera and Glenelg systems to
account for and reallocate a total of 46,750 ML of water savings
resulting from pipeline systems completed to date. The
progressive recovery of these water savings is a major
achievement for the region and our project partners, the
Australian and Victorian Governments.
The prolonged dry conditions did not abate during 2008 and we
saw the Grampians reservoirs fall to an all-time low of just 3.3%
of capacity in May, followed by a very limited recovery to just
6.5% in late September. Given such critically low levels, and for
the second time in three years, GWMWater was unable to
deliver a channel supply to rural customers from the Grampians
system. There was no allocation to the Wimmera Irrigation Area
for the fourth consecutive season.
04
We were, however, able to secure supply from the Waranga
Channel and deliver water to town storages in Birchip and
Wycheproof and 274 rural customers in the north-eastern area
of our service region who were not scheduled to receive a new
piped water supply until well into 2009.
Rural customers not receiving either a new pipeline or Waranga
channel supply continue to rely on the GWMWater rural water
carting program to provide water to farm houses for domestic
use. Additional water continues to be available for these
customers for livestock watering and crop spraying, with the
customers responsible for carting this water.
A dramatically scaled down channel run occurred during
September and October to fill town storages not scheduled for
connection to the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline until 2009 and to
supply other key locations to ensure water remained available
for water carting. We expect this will be the last time water will
be delivered by channel for town supplies and domestic and
stock use, which is monumental in the history of the Wimmera
and Mallee regions.
The logistics of supplying our customers through a new pipeline
system, the open channel or by water tanker has been a
continuing challenge for GWMWater, and our customers and
staff are to be commended on the cooperation displayed over
this extremely difficult period.
Water restrictions remained in place over the year for 63 of the
73 towns serviced by GWMWater, with the highest level of
restriction, stage four, maintained in 54 towns going into last
summer. In early February, we were in a position to ease
restriction levels for rural customers and in the 17 towns
supplied from the Murray River, and we also implemented a
modified exemption to allow limited watering of gardens by a
hand-held hose for the 37 towns serviced from the Grampians
system that remain under stage four restrictions. These changes
were well received by urban customers, particularly given the
dry start to 2009.
The Victorian Government provided a rate rebate to rural
customers who received less than 30 per cent of their water
allocation during the year, with the rebates covering the
customer’s fixed water charges. This is the third successive year
that our rural customers have benefited from rate rebates that,
along with other drought initiatives provided by government,
has helped to ease the cost burdens on our customers due to
the prolonged drought. The rebates paid to our rural customers
through this initiative total around $18 million.
GWMWATER ANNUAL AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2008/09
The Victorian Government started the process of developing
the Western Sustainable Water Strategy in October 2008, with
GWMWater an active participant in development of the
strategy through membership on the consultative committee
and several working groups. The strategy will provide a basis
for the planning and management of the water resources of
Western Victoria over the next 50 years under scenarios where
there is likely to be less water available.
We have continued to progress the strategic review of
groundwater resources in the West Wimmera and look
forward to our advisory committee presenting final
recommendations to the Board by the end of 2009. During
the year, GWMWater also managed a program of expanding
the State Observation Bore Network for the Victorian
Government, which will provide improved information on the
state of the regional groundwater resource and enable the
implementation of more effective measures for managing the
resource into the future.
After extensive consultation, and on the back of a project that
examined options to modernise the system that supplies the
Wimmera Irrigation Area, in April 2009 our irrigation
customers adopted a position of seeking an investor to
purchase the irrigation entitlement. GWMWater supports this
significant decision, and the next step is to develop a business
case to take to a prospective investor.
At the end of June 2009, the Grampians reservoirs were
holding only 4.8 per cent but there are signs of system
recovery. The planned completion of the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline Project within the next year will ensure water
supply is secured for the region into the future, and the full
benefits of reconfiguring our regional water supply can start
to be realised.
In December 2008 we started the preparation of a recreation
plan for Taylors Lake with the support and assistance of an
external working group. A draft plan has been prepared and
will be released in July 2009 for public comment.
GWMWater has made significant progress in achieving the
strategic actions set down in our 2008/10 Strategic Plan. At
the June 2009 reporting milestone, we had, or were on track
to complete, 115 of the 123 actions that we have sought to
achieve before the end of 2009. In early 2009, we commenced
the next phase of strategy development, which will confirm
long-term strategic direction for GWMWater after completion
of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
Barry Clugston
Chairperson
Following on from the five year water pricing decision handed
down in mid-2008, and after consultation with rural
customers, in November 2008 the Essential Services
Commission approved the introduction of a new three-part
rural pipeline tariff for 2008/09. This was a significant step
forward in the rural tariff reform that we are undertaking with
the advent of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline. In May 2009, the
Commission approved tariffs and prices for 2009/10.
In July 2008, and in cooperation with the Environment
Protection Authority, we introduced a new Corporate Licence
to regulate our environmental obligations and performance,
which replaced the individual discharge licences for each of
our 25 wastewater treatment plants. The new arrangement
provides savings in licence fees and reduces ‘red tape’ in
its administration.
Jeff Rigby
Managing Director
05
Highlights For The Year
JULY
EPA Victoria and GWMWater sign a
world-leading corporate licence that
serves to cut red tape, deliver savings
to business and help protect the
environment
Induction day for new customer
committee members held in Horsham
and attended by over 30 members
Smart Water Fund launched in Horsham
GWMWater supports regional Careers
Expo at Longerenong
SEPTEMBER
‘Farming with Pipes Expo’ held at Donald
in conjunction with the Department of
Primary Industries and Wimmera
Development Association to assist
landowners in connecting to the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline - attended by
over 500 people
First GWMWater ‘Saving water in the
home and garden’ community
information session held in Horsham with
over 120 people in attendance
AUGUST
GWMWater exhibitor at Speed Field Days
OCTOBER
Community Cabinet visits Horsham.
Premier John Brumby visits a farm
connected to Supply System Two of the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline and views
construction works
Milestone - 5,000 km of pipe
“in the ground” announced by
Premier John Brumby
GWMWater major sponsor of the
Horsham Spring Garden Festival,
encouraging low water use gardening in
the Wimmera
Tenders called for construction of Supply
System 6 of the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline, the final stage of the project
First round of Grampians, Wimmera
and Mallee Customer Committee
meetings held in Horsham, Warrackabeal
and Ouyen
Victorian Government announces
continuation of rural rebate program for
eligible GWMWater customers
Preferred future operating scenarios
for the Reservoirs Review released to
the public
GWMWater facilitated water
conservation activities at schools in
Stawell, Nhill and Birchip in the lead up
to National Water Week
06
NOVEMBER
FEBRUARY
Students from the GWMWater region
successful in Victorian National Water
Week poster competition
Milestone – over 6,000 km of the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline has
been installed
DECEMBER
Channel decommissioning process
commenced with structures being
assessed and the commencement of the
permit application process
Sustainable Living Expo held
at Longerenong – GWMWater
major sponsor
Tender for construction of Supply System
6 of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
awarded to Mitchell Water
Expressions of Interest called from
members of the community to work with
GWMWater to develop a recreation plan
for Taylors Lake Reservoir
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Supply System
2 declared fully operational
JANUARY
Drilling commenced on 44 new
groundwater observation bores in
Western Victoria
Work commenced on Supply System 6,
the final leg of the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline
Purchase of enough renewable energy,
in the form of Renewable Energy
Certificates, to satisfy 10% green
energy target
MARCH
Kaye Darveniza MP, Member for
Northern Victoria and Parliamentary
Secretary for Regional and Rural
Development officially opened the $1.2
million Underbool Water Treatment Plant
Issued first set of rural customer
accounts from the new TechnologyOne
Billing system
APRIL
Milestone – over 7,000 km of the
8,800 km Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
trunk main and distribution network
has now been installed
GWMWater formed a Regional
Recreation Water Users Group to
represent community views and provide
advice regarding the management of
recreation water and related facilities at
GWMWater sites
MAY
GWMWater Chairman Barry Clugston
officially opened six pump stations
located on Supply System 2 of the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
GWMWater’s annual year 9 and 10
schools conference won the Horsham
Tidy Towns Water Conservation Award
JUNE
Annual Year 9 and 10 schools conference
held in Horsham
Achieved Silver level certification
in Sustainability Victoria’s Waste
Wise program
07
About GWMWater
WHAT WE DO
GWMWater is an integrated water business with established
charters in every aspect of the water management cycle. This
makes us relatively unique as no other water business in
Victoria has a recognised role in all components of water and
wastewater service provision.
The size of the area requiring water and wastewater services
constitutes a major challenge for GWMWater that is not shared
by many other water businesses in Victoria. GWMWater
collects, stores, treats, transfers and distributes water and
wastewater, often over long distances, to meet our customer’s
needs and expectations. Our water services and operational
responsibilities include use in and around homes, in business,
on farms, in waterways, for environmental purposes,
recreational and sporting uses for community benefit.
WHO WE ARE
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation (trading as
GWMWater) is a government-owned Statutory Corporation
established on 1 July 2004 under the Water Act 1989. The
responsible Minister for the reporting period was the Hon
Tim Holding, Minister for Water.
On 1 July 2007 the Water (Governance) Act 2006 was
introduced. Under the changed legislative provisions the
compliance and accountability framework has been more
closely aligned to the requirements of corporations law.
GWMWater has one of the largest geographic footprints of all
the water businesses in Victoria. Our activities cover some
62,000 square kilometres which is approximately 25 percent of
the area of Victoria. The service area is similar in size to
Tasmania and includes thirteen municipalities in full or in part.
The area services approximately 72,000 people living either on
farms or in one of the 73 urban centres. The region relies
substantially on agriculture and primary production and is
working collectively to combat the impacts of unprecedented
lack of rainfall over the last decade.
08
Our wastewater services operate mainly in our larger townships
and involve extensive recycling of wastewater for the watering
of sporting fields, parks and gardens, vineyards and
agricultural uses.
To deliver services to all our customers we manage an
extraordinary number of assets. These include over a dozen
large bulk water supply reservoirs, hundreds of smaller
storages, tanks and water towers.
We operate water and wastewater treatment plants in many of
our 73 towns, utilise desalination technology, operate
numerous recycled water schemes and run pipelines, channels,
dams, weirs and pump stations to service our customers. We
also have responsibilities for groundwater, irrigation and a
number of waterways.
GWMWater invested millions of dollars last year in drought
relief measures and projects to improve the reliability and
quality of our services. Whilst the major investment being
made in the region was the implementation of the $688
million Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, many other investments
had been made over the past 12 months to improve services
to our customers.
GWMWATER SERVICE AREA
09
Understanding Our Business
OUR STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
The completion of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, planned for
early 2010, will herald a major and fundamental change in the
way that water will be supplied to and managed within the
region. ‘Piping It’ represents a new and more sustainable way of
life for our customers, our business and the environment and
this will drive decision making for us in the future.
• Policy framework – how we will specify our business
commitments, obligations, controls and limits (including
statutory requirements)
As we move forward, we will be guided by the Strategic Plan
and will focus our business decisions through three core
strategic Pillars of Excellence:
• Asset lifecycle management – our delivery of
effective service through, and efficient investment in,
our infrastructure
• Service delivery – what we will deliver to the customer and
the stakeholder
• Appropriate best practice – our approach to the way we
conduct our business
• Sustainability – our balanced approach to making decisions
• Best value – what we will deliver to the customer and
the stakeholder
• Governance and leadership – demonstrating transparency
and accountability for our actions
The Pillars of Excellence are founded upon ten key
business elements:
• Corporate identity – our image, brand, reputation
and culture as a business, both outside and within
our corporation
• Organisational change – our approaches to repositioning
and aligning the corporation in readiness for the future and
increasing our capability
• Products and services – meeting the needs of our
customers and stakeholders through the mix of products that
we supply and the services we provide
• Corporate knowledge – the information, experience and
intellect that we possess collectively as an organisation,
including our intellectual property
• Risk management – our exposure to and appetite for risk
This business excellence framework and the 2008/10 Strategic
Plan provide the basis for continual improvement in all aspects
of business performance. Board and staff are committed to both
and this will position us and the region to realise the full
benefits of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline and to tackle the
challenges that the future may bring.
• Standards – the basis upon which we will measure and
manage our performance (Australian and International
standards, regulated standards, industry standards and others
as applicable)
10
GOVERNMENT FRAMEWORK
The framework for the operation of GWMWater is strongly
influenced by the economic, social and environmental policies
of Government.
The Victorian Government’s environmental policy framework
was articulated through the ‘Our Water Our Future’ and ‘Our
Environment Our Future’ policy papers. The water supply and
water security initiatives documented in these policies were
subsequently updated with the release of the Victorian
Water Plan.
Economic and environmental policies of the Australian
Government have been articulated through the National
Water Initiative. These initiatives are being administered
through the National Water Commission in consultation with
the Victorian Government and individual water businesses.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK
Our sustainability framework connects our activities to
broad sustainability goals and objectives. It is the first step in
a strategic approach to embedding sustainability in the
business’ culture, strategy and operations. For GWMWater,
sustainability means being able to continuously provide water
and wastewater services which support customers, staff and
the region, and balance social, environmental and
economic outcomes.
GWMWater has committed to sustainability as a pillar of
business excellence and seeks to integrate sustainability
principles across all facets of the business. Our policy is
implemented through our Sustainability Strategy that
enables compliance, proactive management of risks and
innovative solutions.
GWMWater’s five year economic framework and pricing
proposal was approved through the delivery of the 2008/13
Water Plan to the Essential Services Commission (ESC).
Approved in June 2008, the Water Plan sought approval from
the ESC to raise the required revenue through price
adjustments to customer bills to deliver the required
improvements across the region over the next five years. A
large focus in preparation of the Water Plan was on the costs
to deliver the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline. This project is a key
objective of the Victorian Government’s Water Plan and of
national significance. With the support of the Victorian and
Australian Government, GWMWater has secured future water
for our customers, the environment and our communities and
reduced the overall local financial contribution towards the
project significantly.
11
Our Board And Executive Management Team
Photo left to right: Jeff Rigby, Jan Mahoney, Chris Hewitt, Rob McKenzie, Barry Hall, Peter Vogel, Bonnie Thompson, Barry Clugston
Ministerial Order constituted GWMWater, with effect from 1 July 2004 under Section 98 and 100 of the Water Act 1989.
Section 124 of the Act provides GWMWater the powers necessary to perform its functions.
Key responsibilities of the Board include:
• Setting the broad strategy, objectives and performance targets for the corporation
• Risk management for all key business and operational risks
• Reviewing GWMWater’s progress towards achieving its specific goals
• Reviewing the internal financial and operational control environment to ensure that they are effective and current
(including non-compliance, anti-fraud, anti-corruption and critical incident reporting systems)
• Preparation and approving strategic plans, annual reports, key procedures and policies
12
Barry Clugston - Chairman
Barry Clugston chairs the Remuneration Committee and is an
ex-officio member on all Board committees. He is a member of
VicWater Council and the Victorian Environment Assessment
Council and was a board member of Wimmera Catchment
Management Authority to 30 June 2009. He has experience in
natural resource management across western Victoria
particularly in biodiversity, salinity and Landcare areas.
Peter Vogel - Deputy Chairman
Peter Vogel is a long established primary producer in the
Watchem area and has a wealth of knowledge and experience
in the water industry and primary production. Peter is Chairman
of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project Control Group and a
member of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project Council. He is
also a member of the GWMWater Audit, Governance and Risk
Committee and the Remuneration Committee.
William (Rob) McKenzie
Rob McKenzie is a broadacre farmer with extensive water
industry experience. He is a member of the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline Project Control Group and Chairman of the
GWMWater Environment and Works Committee. Rob is also a
member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Barry Hall
Barry Hall is a long-standing wool and trade lamb producer in
the area north of Edenhope in the West Wimmera district. Barry
has a long involvement and interest in water issues and natural
resource management as an educator and an agricultural
producer. He has been actively involved in the management of
these issues at board level for a number of years and is a strong
supporter of community engagement. He is a member of the
GWMWater Environment and Works Committee and the
Remuneration Committee and Chair of the Reservoirs Review
Stakeholder Working Group. Barry was also Chairman of the
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority board to 30
June 2009.
Chris Hewitt
Chris Hewitt has extensive experience in primary production
and business management. He is a Warracknabeal farmer
involved in cropping and stud sheep breeding with wide
regional interests and was instrumental in helping the region
win Victorian and Australian government funding for the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project. Chris has continued his
involvement with the project as a member of the Wimmera
Mallee Pipeline Project Control Group and is Chairman of the
GWMWater Audit, Governance and Risk Committee and
Pricing and Tariff Working Group.
Jan Mahoney
Jan Mahoney has had a long association with the Grampians
Wimmera Mallee area through her career as an agricultural
research scientist and Regional Manager North West and
Program Manager Agriculture Industries with the Department
of Natural Resources and Environment. She became an
Executive Manager with the Grains Research and Development
Corporation in Canberra and then the Chief Executive Officer
of the Grain Foods Cooperative Research Centre in Sydney. She
currently works part time as a Program Manager at the
Gardiner Foundation and is a Director of Parks Victoria and the
Victorian Catchment Management Council. She has maintained
her connection to the area as a partner in a farm near
Horsham. She is an Associate of Leadership Victoria, a Fellow of
the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been a
Director of several organisations. Jan is a member of the
GWMWater Environment and Works Committee.
Bonnie Thompson
Bonnie Thompson has extensive experience in the senior
management of education and learning programs in the
TAFE, university, community and private sector and is the
Chairperson of the Board of the Wimmera Health Care Group.
She is a member of the GWMWater Audit, Governance and
Risk Committee.
Jeff Rigby
Managing Director
13
Standing Committees Of The Board
AUDIT, GOVERNANCE AND
RISK COMMITTEE
• Review the effectiveness of internal controls and reporting
and oversee Treasury Policy
Chris Hewitt (Chairman)
Peter Vogel
Bonnie Thompson
Barry Clugston (Ex-Officio)
Michael Ryan (External Member) (term effective
22 August 2008 to 22 February 2009)
• Review financial statements prior to their consideration by
the Board
• Review accounting policies and principles
All members of the Audit, Governance and Risk Committee are
independent in character and judgement and there are no
relationships or circumstances which could affect, or appear to
affect, the member’s judgement.
Responsibilities:
• Review the effectiveness of the management and
quality of information and other systems of control within
the corporation
• Assess the effectiveness of the internal and external audit,
oversee the appointment of internal auditors, review reports
from external auditors
• Review management’s processes for ensuring and monitoring
compliance with legislation, regulations, standards and best
practice guidelines
• Oversee the functioning of the Risk Management
Assessment Framework
• Ensure that the Occupational Health and Safety programs
include the assessment and management of safety risks to
employees and external parties, training, accident
investigation and employee rehabilitation
• Ensure the Corporate Governance Policy is implemented and
monitored effectively
• Ensure there is a continuous quality improvement cycle by an
annual performance review
Number of Board
meetings attended
Number of Audit
Governance and Risk
Committees attended
Number of
Environment and
Works Committees
attended
Number of
Remuneration
Committees attended
Barry Clugston
12
5
4
3
Peter Vogel
12
5
*1
3
Barry Hall
11
0
3
3
Chris Hewitt
12
5
*1
0
Rob McKenzie
11
*1
5
0
Jan Mahoney
11
0
5
0
Bonnie Thompson
12
5
*1
0
Jeff Rigby (Managing Director)
12
5
5
3
0
3
0
0
^12
5
5
3
Director
Michael Ryan (External Member)
Total number of meetings
^ Special Board Meeting held April 2009. * Observer.
14
ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS
COMMITTEE
Rob McKenzie (Chairman)
Barry Hall
Jan Mahoney
Barry Clugston (Ex-Officio)
Responsibilities:
• Assess the quality of GWMWater’s environmental reporting
and management policies and procedures
• Monitor compliance with relevant laws and regulations
significantly impacting on GWMWater
• Monitor actual performance against corporate and
operational plans
• Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls
• Evaluate the independence, efficiency and effectiveness of
relevant audit
• Where appropriate, evaluate internal audit’s annual plans for
risk assessment, scope, approach and reviewing the
coordination of internal audit programs
• Review relevant internal audit reports, incorporating
management responses
• Review operations, maintenance and capital works
expenditure against adopted Business Plan budgets
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
Barry Clugston (Chairman)
Barry Hall
Peter Vogel
Responsibilities:
• Determine GWMWater policy and practice for
executive remuneration
• Determine the individual remuneration packages for its
executive staff
• Ensure that the Victorian Government remuneration
principles are observed in relation to remuneration
for executives
• Observe the requirements of the Government Sector
Executive Remuneration Panel
CASE STUDY
Optimisation of pipeline
operations for efficient energy
and water use
As part of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
Project, thousands of kilometres of new
pipeline is now in the ground as a replacement
for the old and inefficient open channel water
delivery system. GWMWater has commenced
work to help ensure that it operates its
pipelines in the most efficient way possible.
GWMWater embarked on a collaborative
research project in 2008 using the Northern
Mallee Pipeline as a pilot study. This project
explored and developed systems to assist in
achieving pipeline operational efficiencies and
minimising power consumption, while still
maintaining the required levels of system
performance to meet customer demands.
Subsequent to this project GWMWater was
successful in obtaining a prestigious Australia
Research Council grant of $180,000 over three
years to continue research into pipeline
optimisation. The title of the project is
“Integrating dynamic and optimisation models
for efficient pipeline system operations in an
evolving water and energy market”. The
project team consists of staff from GWMWater,
the Centre for Informatics and Applied
Optimisation (University of Ballarat) and the
Melbourne Systems Laboratory (University of
Melbourne). A number of research students
will also be involved. The project will build on
the achievements of the pilot study.
15
THE WIMMERA MALLEE
PIPELINE PROJECT
Project Control Group (as at 30 June 2009)
Peter Vogel (Chairman) - GWMWater Board Director
Chris Hewitt - GWMWater Board Director
Project Council (as at 30 June 2009)
Colin Jordan (Chairman) - RACV Chief Executive Officer
Rob McKenzie - GWMWater Board Director
Alan McPherson - Executive Director, Water Industry
Group, Department of Sustainability and Environment
Bruce Van Every - Project Director, Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline Project, GWMWater
Craig Tarling - Department of Treasury and Finance
Peter Bishop - Independent Expert
Jeff Rigby - Managing Director, GWMWater
Harry De Jong - Independent Expert
Peter Vogel - Chairman, Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project
Control Group
Binhur Sappideen - Manager, West Region Water Industry,
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Jeff Rigby - Managing Director, GWMWater
Others
Doug Pittard - Victorian Project Manager, Water Smart
Branch, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage
and the Arts
Peter Beaumont - Department of Planning and
Community Development
Bruce Van Every - Project Director, Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline Project, GWMWater
Binhur Sappideen - Manager, West Region Water Industry,
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Responsibilities:
• Endorse the selection of the Project Director
• Approve the membership of the Project Control Group
Responsibilities:
• Review advice provided by the Project Team with respect to
key project decisions and, subject to approval by the Project
Council, refer proposed decisions to the GWMWater Board
for consideration and consequential implementation
• Review progress of the Project and refer any significant
issues to the Project Council for consideration
• Ensure implementation of the Project aligns with policy(s) set
by the Delivery Agent and/or Government and the objectives
of the Project
• Establish and maintain communications between those
implementing and those who may be affected by the Project
• Identify and facilitate any approvals, consents or the like that
may be required in order to carry out the Project
• Approve key project decisions, including but not limited
to the Project Procurement Strategy, Project
Implementation Plan and Tender Process and provide advice
and/or recommendations regarding these positions
• Ensure reporting and other requirements of the Delivery
Agent are met
• Review the Project Delivery Agreement, which will specify
reporting and other requirements that must be met by the
Delivery Agent and, if it thinks necessary, provide advice
and/or recommendations prior to the execution of the
Project Delivery Agreement
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM
• Review progress of the Project on a regular basis including
but not limited to issues relating to budget, milestones, risk,
quality and probity, and provide advice and/or
recommendations regarding these issues
• Where required, assist in matters that are the subject of
dispute or conflict
The executive management team at 30 June 2009 and their
main responsibilities:
Managing Director – Jeff Rigby
• Advise on any other matters referred to it by the Project
Control Group
Responsible to the Board for the overall management
of GWMWater
Provision of expert advice to the Board on policy and
future directions
Oversight of the Corporate Plan including implementation of
the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project
Sustainability of the business through the monitoring of
environmental management, customer service and
business performance
16
CUSTOMERS
STATE GOVERNMENT
BOARD
Barry Clugston, Chris Hewitt,
Peter Vogel, Rob McKenzie,
Barry Hall, Bonnie Thompson,
Jan Mahoney, Jeff Rigby
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jeff Rigby
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
AND RISK
Mark Williams
STAKEHOLDER SERVICES
AND GOVERNANCE
Andrew Rose
FINANCE AND PRICING
LEGAL AND COPORATE RESOURCES
WATER QUALITY
STRATEGIC ASSETS
KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
COMMUNICATIONS
REGIONAL OPERATIONS
SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES
REGULATION & ASSURANCE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
WORKS MANAGEMENT
PROJECT DELIVERY
SERVICE DELIVERY
Stephen Jewell
SUSTAINABLE WATER
AND INFRASTRUCTURE
John Martin
WIMMERA MALLEE
PIPELINE PROJECT
Bruce Van Every
RESEARCH AND REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Executive Manager Business Performance and Risk –
Mark Williams (Chief Finance and Accounting Officer)
Corporate finance
Industry compliance
Knowledge management
Quality systems management
Risk management
Business development and strategic development
Occupational Health and Safety
Fleet management
Internal audit
Essential Services Commission and associated regulatory
environment preparation
Executive Manager Sustainable Water and Infrastructure –
John Martin
Engineering and technical management
Planning and development
Capital works and project delivery
Asset management
Research and development
Headworks management
Water resources and allocations
Environmental management
Regional development
Sustainability management
Executive Manager Service Delivery – Stephen Jewell
Water quality management
Executive Manager Stakeholder Services and
Governance – Andrew Rose (Secretary to the Board)
Corporate communications and marketing
Administration
Community engagement
Customer service
Corporate governance
Legal services
Distribution services management
Rural and urban service delivery
Operational management
Treatment services
Project Director Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project –
Bruce Van Every
Project implementation planning
Tendering and procurement
Contract management
Design and construction supervision
Planning approval
Stakeholder and landholder liaison
17
How We Operate
MANAGING OUR RISKS
RISK MANAGEMENT
COMPLIANCE
ATTESTATION
I, Barry Clugston certify that GWMWater has
risk management processes in place consistent
with the Australian/New Zealand Risk
Management Standard AS4360 and an
internal control system is in place that enables
the executive to understand, manage and
satisfactorily control risk exposures.
The Audit, Governance and Risk Committee
verifies this assurance and that the risk profile
of GWMWater has been critically reviewed
within the last 12 months.
GWMWater’s risk management system is an integral part of the
governance framework, which incorporates elements of compliance,
quality and assurance. Our risk process provides a simple and robust
framework for managing risks that is based on the principles of the
Australian Risk Management Standard AS/NZS 4360.
The risk framework provides a consistent and best practice foundation on
which to identify, assess, measure, manage and report risks. The aim is to
generate a list of sources of risks and events that might have an impact
on the achievement of each of GWMWater’s objectives.
A statement by the Chairman of GWMWater is provided later in this
report, verifying the assurance that the risk profile of GWMWater has
been critically reviewed within the last 12 months.
MANAGING OUR QUALITY SYSTEMS
Working towards certification of our quality, safety and environment
management systems has been a large focus of 2008/09. An integrated
corporate management system will ensure independent certification
against international and Australian standards for the three systems in
late 2009.
The development of the three systems will streamline business processes,
improve consistency across the business and ultimately deliver a higher
quality service to our customers and stakeholders.
MANAGING ASSURANCE THROUGH AUDIT
Barry Clugston
Chairman
Dated this
16th day of September 2009
Audit is an integral component of our continual improvement process.
Audit activities have been planned to complement and verify compliance
against government requirements, our strategic objectives and with our
risk management and compliance programs. Major external audits verified
compliance with water quality requirements, government performance
reporting information and financial records. A total of 13 comprehensive
audits covering all aspects of the business were conducted during the year.
COMPLIANCE
Managing compliance extends beyond legislative reporting. Our
compliance culture is centred on performance and driven by the Board,
the executive and senior managers. We have implemented an extensive
program to manage our compliance requirements from financial
obligations through to operational performance.
Compliance with government requirements is just as important as
fostering cooperative working relationships with all stakeholders and our
customers. Achieving this requires open and transparent communication,
commitment and accountability. GWMWater maintains ongoing
communication with Government, stakeholders and customers to improve
in these areas.
18
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 allows the public a right
of access to documents held by GWMWater.
Freedom of Information requests are made in writing describing
the documents requested and including payment of the $23.40
application fee. Further charges may be payable depending on
the complexity and nature of the request.
GWMWater has a comprehensive internet site which satisfies
the information needs of many individuals, but is committed to
ensuring information is accessible to all customers.
There were three Freedom of Information applications received
from the public during 2008/09. All of the responses were
completed within the statutory period and no requests were
rejected or went to internal review. There were no appeals.
Applications under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
should be made to Andrew Rose, Freedom of Information
Officer, PO Box 481, Horsham 3402 or by phoning
1300 659 961.
BUILDING ACT 1993
WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION
ACT 2001
There were no disclosures made to GWMWater, or referred to
the Ombudsman in 2008/09, nor did we refuse to investigate
any disclosure.
The GWMWater Whistleblowers procedure is provided as a
supplement to the Annual Report and is also available from our
Regional Administration Centre at Horsham.
NATIONAL COMPETITION POLICY
GWMWater has continued to comply with the legislative
requirements and principles agreed under the National
Competition Policy.
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
ON REQUEST
Information relevant to the headings listed in Financial
Reporting Direction 22B of the Financial Management
Act 1994 is held at the office of GWMWater and is available on
request, subject to the requirements of the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
GWMWater complies with the building maintenance provisions
of the Building Act 1993.
19
Our Services
Water quality information on the Internet
Water quality data for drinking water towns is available to all
customers via the GWMWater website. Data is uploaded on
a monthly basis and users can search via town and water
quality parameter.
Information relating to the declarations of water supplies as
regulated supplies under section six of the Safe Drinking Water
Act 2003, plus details of undertakings entered into for drinking
water supplies under section 6 of the act are also provided on
the internet.
Urban wastewater services
GWMWater collects and treats wastewater from 24 towns.
These towns range in size from Horsham (population of 13,479
producing 850 ML of effluent per annum) to Serviceton
(population of 50 producing 7 ML of effluent per annum).
URBAN WATER SERVICES
GWMWater operates 73 urban water supplies within its
operational area. These towns range dramatically in size, with
the smallest towns having fewer than 20 people being serviced
from less than 10 connections, to the larger towns such as
Horsham, Ararat and Stawell. Horsham being the largest with
a population of 13,479.
Of the 73 water supplies, 19 are provided with full water
treatment,15 are provided with a disinfected only supply and
39 are declared as Regulated supplies, under the Safe Drinking
Water Act 2003. All raw water pipelines in GWMWater’s
operational area, which are not connected to the Wimmera
Mallee Pipeline, were also declared regulated supplies on 23
February 2009 under the terms of the Safe Drinking Water
Act 2003.
A total of 17 water treatment plants provide water to the 19
fully treated water supplies. Thirteen of these are operated
by GWMWater, with the remaining four operated by
AquaTower under a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT)
contract arrangement.
Water is reticulated to urban customers through 1,221
kilometres of pressurised pipeline and supplied to 31,858
assessable properties. In 2008/09, 597 new connections
were installed.
20
A total of 25 wastewater treatment plants provide wastewater
services to these 24 towns, with two plants servicing the town
of Kaniva. The plants generally utilise lagoon systems, relying on
natural processes that require minimum operator intervention.
Wastewater is collected from customers at 25,652 connection
points through a network of 636 kilometres of gravity sewers
and 84 pump stations.
Reclaimed water
Reclaimed water is an important resource which supplements or
replaces other water supplies for irrigation and recreational sites.
Total reuse across our wastewater treatment plants was
1,939 ML, marginally down from 1,973 ML in 2007/08. This
reflects the ongoing impact of the drought, water restrictions
and high evaporation rates that have reduced the volume of
reclaimed water available. It is likely that the broader adoption
of domestic greywater recycling systems has also had an impact
on the volume of wastewater reaching our treatment plants.
Limited supplies in the Ararat-Great Western system were
managed through a seasonal plan which required users to work
cooperatively and carefully manage and monitor their usage.
The salinity of reclaimed water supplies at Warracknabeal
affected turf at the local racecourse, with a number of meetings
moved away from the track as a result. Connection to the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline has seen a marked improvement in
the salinity of water in the reclaimed water supply.
Water consumption 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009
Town
Residential
ML
No
2.2
Apsley
Ararat
Non-Residential
and Municipal
Industrial and
Concessional
Total
ML
No
ML
No
ML
9
0.0
2
0.0
1
2.3
12
2.3
22.6
97
7.2
18
0.8
8
30.6
123
29.8
540.6
3,545
173.9
402
118.3
42
832.8
3,989
881.0
Berriwillock
13.0
69
2.2
12
1.0
9
16.3
90
20.6
Beulah
21.3
140
3.3
31
0.5
12
25.1
183
39.0
Birchip
59.0
371
12.8
86
2.1
16
73.9
473
87.8
5.6
48
0.4
5
2.4
7
8.4
60
12.3
Buangor
12.1
30
0.9
4
2.5
3
15.5
37
13.1
Charlton
90.1
554
36.7
140
5.8
19
132.6
713
158.0
Chillingollah
1.0
5
0.0
2
0.0
0
1.0
7
2.2
Chinkapook
3.3
14
0.0
2
0.0
1
3.3
17
4.5
Clear Lake
0.2
5
0.0
1
0.0
0
0.2
6
0.7
Cowangie
1.6
9
0.5
2
0.7
2
2.9
13
4.0
10.6
60
1.7
15
0.8
3
13.1
78
16.0
Dimboola
101.9
761
25.7
99
3.6
23
131.2
883
157.9
Donald
105.7
706
35.0
175
6.3
15
147.0
896
197.4
Dooen
2.6
14
0.7
3
0.0
0
3.4
17
3.1
Edenhope
82.4
446
15.3
81
7.6
17
105.2
544
110.6
Elmhurst
14.5
97
1.8
16
0.2
6
16.5
119
17.0
Glenorchy
4.1
57
0.1
4
0.1
2
4.2
63
4.8
Goroke
39.7
138
5.9
32
6.7
13
52.3
183
54.3
Great Western
15.0
112
7.3
19
14.1
7
36.3
138
49.2
Halls Gap
33.3
516
71.1
92
1.6
5
105.9
613
100.6
Harrow
19.6
67
1.5
20
0.7
8
21.8
95
23.7
Hopetoun
47.0
303
9.5
64
8.5
19
64.9
386
90.7
1,127.3
7,176
328.1
1,008
27.9
63
1,483.3
8,247
1,688.1
26.9
251
4.4
45
1.2
13
32.5
309
44.1
6.8
40
0.0
3
0.0
1
6.8
44
7.8
156.3
409
65.7
111
9.5
16
231.5
536
231.4
2.4
16
0.6
3
0.0
0
3.0
19
3.2
Lake Bolac
33.0
121
11.3
31
16.5
16
60.9
168
56.4
Lalbert
11.9
42
2.2
15
0.5
5
14.5
62
17.9
Lascelles
3.1
23
1.1
7
0.0
0
4.2
30
5.2
Lillimur
9.9
18
0.0
1
0.0
0
9.9
19
9.6
33.7
132
12.1
30
1.2
11
47.0
173
65.3
Marnoo
6.3
50
1.6
15
0.5
6
8.3
71
10.6
Minyip
25.2
235
7.1
36
8.2
14
40.6
285
48.9
Antwerp
Brim
Culgoa
Horsham
Jeparit
Jung
Kaniva
Kiata
Manangatang
No
Average Annual
Consumption*
ML
21
Water consumption 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009
Town
Residential
ML
No
1.1
Moyston
Non-Residential
and Municipal
Industrial and
Concessional
Total
ML
No
ML
No
ML
10
0.0
3
0.0
0
1.1
13
1.6
20.1
83
0.4
6
1.4
3
21.9
92
19.8
Murrayville
76.9
141
43.5
34
4.8
10
125.2
185
139.3
Murtoa
53.7
412
11.2
67
1.2
17
66.1
496
82.3
Nandaly
2.5
19
1.0
7
0.0
7
3.5
33
6.5
Natimuk
27.4
221
4.4
30
1.8
18
33.6
269
46.2
328.6
974
121.6
173
12.6
27
462.8
1,174
465.3
Noradjuha
0.3
6
0.0
0
0.0
1
0.3
7
0.5
Nullawil
6.1
29
2.9
13
0.5
4
9.5
46
13.7
140.9
554
55.0
121
19.1
12
214.9
687
294.0
Patchewollock
5.0
36
0.4
15
0.2
5
5.6
56
9.8
Pimpinio
5.8
30
1.0
5
0.3
2
7.2
37
7.7
Pomonal
16.1
116
1.9
8
0.1
2
18.1
126
18.7
Quambatook
27.2
134
6.4
25
11.9
12
45.5
171
58.6
Rainbow
41.8
303
15.2
56
2.0
23
58.9
382
72.0
Rupanyup
22.1
201
4.6
43
1.5
11
28.2
255
37.2
Sea Lake
77.5
349
19.9
71
6.3
9
103.7
429
140.2
Serviceton
5.7
27
0.9
3
1.1
3
7.7
33
7.4
Speed
5.7
28
0.6
8
0.1
3
6.4
39
9.4
St Arnaud
170.5
1,175
109.3
214
3.8
28
283.6
1,417
351.9
Stawell
480.1
2,908
135.9
382
657.2
31
1,273.2
3,321
1,350.6
Streatham
5.1
39
0.3
7
0.0
4
5.4
50
6.6
Tarranyurk
1.6
4
0.6
4
0.0
0
2.2
8
2.6
Tempy
3.8
20
2.0
6
0.2
7
6.0
33
9.3
Ultima
24.8
82
3.8
13
0.7
6
29.2
101
35.4
Underbool
35.1
109
8.5
19
2.1
10
45.7
138
64.7
Waitchie
0.3
3
0.0
3
0.0
1
0.3
7
0.6
Walpeup
15.4
58
3.8
14
0.5
4
19.7
76
30.8
172.3
1,232
48.4
193
7.5
25
228.3
1,450
323.8
Watchem
8.5
70
1.6
10
0.6
6
10.7
86
13.0
Westmere
3.1
12
3.7
6
0.0
0
6.8
18
7.1
Wickliffe
14.4
34
6.9
8
1.6
2
22.9
44
18.3
Willaura
39.6
196
46.8
45
1.2
13
87.6
254
79.4
Woomelang
22.0
114
2.7
25
4.2
12
28.9
151
36.9
Wycheproof
57.9
346
24.1
73
3.5
18
85.4
437
102.2
4.4
30
0.3
5
0.2
1
4.8
36
5.7
4,615
26,791
1,537
4,347
998
720
7,150
31,858
7,897
Miram
Nhill
Ouyen
Warracknabeal
Yaapeet
No
Average Annual
Consumption*
ML
* Average calculated over five years
GWMWater’s estimated total volume of non-revenue water in 2008/09 was 375.25ML or 5.4%. Non-revenue water
comprises leakages from pipes, mains flushing, un-metered connections, metering errors and illegal connections.
22
Biosolids reuse
Sludge is the solid by-product of the wastewater treatment
process which settles out in lagoons. Biosolids are the
substance that remains after sludge is removed from the
lagoons and allowed to dry and stabilise.
Biosolids contain significant quantities of organic material,
moisture, nutrients and trace elements. The material has the
potential to be a beneficial resource for agricultural, municipal
and industrial sectors.
GWMWater is committed to utilising by-products from its
wastewater treatment plants for the benefit of business and
the community. A Biosolids Management Plan outlines the
current quantity and quality of the biosolids available, and
identifies opportunities for reuse.
Desludging only occurred at the Ararat wastewater treatment
plant this year. Due to limited space for stockpiling on site,
the product was immediately applied to neighbouring farms
in accordance with EPA Guidelines. Further desludging is
planned for the site during the next financial year.
There are currently 6,786 dry tonnes of biosolids stockpiled at
nine sites across the region, which will become available for
beneficial use over the next five years. We currently have an
agreement with a local vineyard to take 1,000 tonnes from
the Horsham plant for reuse over a five year period.
Trade waste
GWMWater has been working with major trade waste
customers to improve the quality of effluent. In consultation
with major trade waste customers, we developed a trade
waste sampling procedure to improve quality assurance and
to minimise any charging disputes.
During 2008/09 the number of trade waste customers
remained almost steady. As of 1 June 2009, GWMWater was
providing services to 387 category 1 and 179 category 2 trade
waste customers. The trade waste team is moving forward to
resolve non-compliance issues as per guidelines set out in the
Trade Waste By-Law 4. Currently there are two
non-compliant customers.
RURAL WATER SERVICES
Wimmera Mallee channel system
Approximately 7,000 rural customers, 36 towns and two
million hectares of land were serviced by the Wimmera
Mallee open channel system. Operation of the open channel
system involves the use of various control structures to
regulate water levels in the main channels to service a
network of minor channels and drains that discharge water
into farm dams or town storages.
With construction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline well under
way, approximately 70 percent of the area serviced by the
open channel system has now been converted to a piped
water supply system.
Northern Mallee Pipeline
The Northern Mallee Pipeline is a 3,650 kilometre pipeline
providing water to northern Mallee farms and 14 towns over
an area of approximately 890,000 hectares.
Mt William water supply
The Mt William water supply system provides water to the
towns of Willaura, Moyston, Lake Bolac and Wickliffe, with a
total combined population of around 800. Approximately 60
rural customers are also serviced by the various pipelines. The
system provides a supplementary supply to the town of
Glenthompson managed by Wannon Water.
The primary water source for this system is six small weirs on
three different creeks, supplemented during summer months
by three bores in the Grampians mountain range.
Supply from Waranga channel system
GWMWater had 2,000 ML of water available from the
Waranga Western Channel system in 2009.
Owing to the fast tracking of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
Project this water was not required to fill rural farm dams or
town storages in Supply Systems 3 and 4 and was able to be
used to supply recreation water to Green Lake near Sea Lake
and Tchum Lake near Birchip.
Water was received from Goulburn Murray Water on 24 April
2009, and a supply by pumping into Tchum Lake commenced
on 2 May 2009. Water continued on from Birchip to reach
Green Lake on 7 May 2009.
A total of 2,017 ML was received over the duration of the
channel run, with the supply ceasing from 30 May 2009.
The filling of these two recreational sites was completed as
planned, with 715 ML being delivered into Tchum Lake and
Green Lake receiving approximately 550 ML.
23
ADVANCING TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY
The Wimmera Mallee Pipeline is one of Australia’s largest water
infrastructure projects replacing 17,500 kilometres of open
earthen channels with 8,800 kilometres of pressurised pipeline.
The project will generate average annual water savings of
103,000 ML previously lost through seepage and evaporation
and will deliver a more secure supply with improved water
quality for regional towns, businesses and farms.
Progress on the construction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
has exceeded all community expectations, with over 7,700
kilometres of pipeline now installed and more than 50% of
customers are receiving piped water.
A focus on supplying towns as soon as possible during
construction, while at the same time balancing construction
processes, contractual arrangements and meeting the water
requirements of customers, has been a major logistics and
scheduling challenge for GWMWater.
Rehabilitation of the pipeline route through agricultural land
has resulted in excellent feedback from landowners.
Continuous pipeline construction throughout cropping,
growing and harvesting cycles has been negotiated with
landowners to minimise delays and impacts. Cropping
rotations have erased the evidence of pipeline construction in
many areas.
The project is now on target to be completed by early 2010.
The decision to fast track the project has received widespread
community support and resulted in significant project activity
across the region. Landowner cooperation has been
outstanding with the inconvenience of the pipe laying process
balanced by landowner enthusiasm for the project. Parallel
processes of design, planning and consultation, land liaison,
tendering and evaluation, construction and reporting has been
possible with the ongoing support of customers.
Towns and farms in Supply Systems 1, 2 and 5 are now being
provided with a secure and good quality water supply and
feedback from customers has been very positive.
Construction of Supply System 3 (Birchip) has advanced well,
with most rural customers receiving an emergency water
supply as works on storages and pump stations continue.
The Supply System 4 (Wycheproof) trunk pipelines are
completed, with the focus on laying the distribution network
and completing the storages and pump facilities.
Construction of Supply System 6 (Natimuk) commenced in
December, with works on target for completion in early 2010.
Provision of emergency water supplies to customers during
construction has reduced demand on the water carting
program and improved water quality to both urban and
rural customers.
Celebrations including the official openings of pump stations in
Supply Systems 2 (Woomelang) were well received, providing
the opportunity for community members to inspect the new
facilities and learn about system operations.
The Pipeline Community Reference Group, with broad regional
community representation, has continued to provide important
input into a range of issues including the tariff framework,
recreation water allocation and channel decommissioning.
Victorian Government support for landowners in the region,
through the Department of Primary Industries, has continued
to provide on farm reticulation advice and planning for
improved water management. Drought support through tank
and on-farm infrastructure rebates have assisted landowners to
implement basic reticulation systems to access piped water.
Landowners have commenced channel decommissioning
works, returning land to productive use and allowing more
efficient management of cropping land. Whilst some areas
require further investigation into drainage impacts and
vegetation issues related to the removal of channels, significant
sections of channels and other structures have disappeared
from the Wimmera Mallee landscape.
Interest in the project has attracted a number of site visits from
Australian and Victorian Government officials inspecting
progress, construction methodology and rehabilitation.
The project has provided a significant economic boost for the
region in the continuing dry seasonal conditions, through direct
employment on the project, as well as the impact of multiple
construction contracts on regional businesses. The benefits of
the project, secure good quality water, have helped to sustain
the whole community during a difficult time, particularly in the
agricultural sector.
24
WIMMERA MALLEE
PIPELINE PROJECT AREA
25
WIMMERA IRRIGATION AREA
In October 2007 the Australian Government launched programs
to be funded under the $5.9 Billion Modernising Irrigation
component of its $10 Billion National Plan for Water Security.
GWMWater made an application for funding under the
Irrigation Modernisation Planning Assistance Program, designed
to assist with identifying and planning for modernisation of
irrigation systems, and was successful in obtaining funding in
June 2008.
Three major issues have been identified within the Wimmera
Irrigation Area which threatens its future viability.
They are:
1. Uncertainty with water supply and irrigation economics in
the area and the relatively low reliability of the irrigation
allocation in the current Bulk Entitlement
2. New irrigation investments are challenged by climate change
induced uncertainty which impacts on both the reliability of
water supply and the demand for water
3. The system does not meet accepted industry benchmarks for
system delivery efficiency
Zero water allocations in six of the last seven years have
exacerbated the problems with a large number of irrigators
wishing to exit the system. As a result there is a reluctance to
invest in on-farm infrastructure until reliability of supply can
be improved.
A range of water savings options were examined at a system
level to provide an indication of the extent of works that could
be implemented across the system and to estimate the potential
volume of water that could be saved from these works.
Option One
Modernise - pipe or improve channel efficiency on the channel
only, with the following sub-options having been considered:
a. 70 km trunk channel
b. 70 km trunk pipeline
c. Pipeline to Haven, channel to Quantong and Murtoa,
pipeline to Coromby.
Option Two
Business As Usual - Continue to maintain the system in
readiness for resumption of supply. Update the infrastructure to
meet OH&S and metering standards.
Option Three
Mothball - Minimum maintenance and deferral of any
upgrades until water for irrigation becomes available again.
Voluntary surrender of allocations.
Option Four
Closure - This would involve a consensus shutdown of the
system with all irrigators agreeing to forego their allocation in
return for an appropriate compensation package.
In late April 2009 detailed analysis of the four options was
presented to a general meeting of Wimmera Irrigators and
Diverters. The meeting resolved to pursue the development of a
Business Case to support a full buy out of the Wimmera
Irrigation Area. The Business Case is to be presented to irrigators
before an investor is sought.
Following significant consultation with both the Wimmera
Irrigators and Diverters Consultative Committee and the
broader irrigation community, four options were developed
for further investigation.
26
Permanent and temporary transfers of tradable irrigation water entitlements
District/Area
Temporary internal transfers within district/area
No
ML
0
0
Wimmera Irrigation Area
Permanent internal transfers within district/area
No
ML
0
0
Irrigation water usage
District/
area or
waterway
Horsham
Irrigation
Other
Total
Gross
supply at
Total
off-takes
water
excl.
rights to
volume
district and passed to
diversion
other
licence
districts
ML
ML
Diversions from
rivers, streams, lakes
and main channels
Users in district
Under
water
rights/
domestic
and stock
allowance
ML
Sales of
water
ML
Total
delivered
in district
ML
Users
outside
District
from
district
channels
ML
Total
delivered
from
District
ML
Usage
under
entitlement
and stock
Total
and
irrigation
domestic
Sales usage usage
ML
ML
ML
13,400
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
200
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13,600
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
CHANNEL DECOMMISSIONING
Decommissioning of 17,500 kms of channel and 6,000 structures
made redundant by the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline has emerged
as one of the largest and most significant projects facing the
Corporation. In consultation with key stakeholders including local
Government, VicRoads, Vic Track, Catchment Management
Authorities and Department of Sustainability and Environment,
categorisation of all channels and structures has been completed.
This ‘traffic light approach’ has simplified the process for filling in
of channels where values such as flora and fauna, cultural
heritage, flooding and drainage will not be impacted by the
activity. Further it has significantly reduced the burden on local
Government planning.
Community consultation is now required to determine the most
appropriate course of action for channels where drainage and
flooding are significant issues. The very large task of removing
structures from roads and infilling large channels also remains.
27
BULK ENTITLEMENTS TO WATER
Bulk Entitlements provide a defined process to allocate water for
consumptive use, recreation and the environment based on the
total volume held in storage. In doing this, the Bulk Entitlements
consider the potential for future inflows and losses (evaporation
and seepage) and take into account usage to date by the
different entitlement holders. The Bulk Entitlement holders in
our region are GWMWater, Wannon Water, Coliban Water and
the Minister for Environment and Climate Change (represented
by the Wimmera and Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment
Management Authorities). GWMWater has separate Bulk
Entitlements for the urban and rural systems.
The Bulk Entitlements nominate GWMWater as both the
Storage Operator and the Resource Manager with responsibility
for calculating how much water is available, making allocations
and reporting on subsequent usage.
The Wimmera-Glenelg Bulk Entitlement water year covers the
period from 1 November to 31 October. This means that
information for formal reporting is now available for the
2007/08 Bulk Entitlement year ending 31 October 2008.
In the 2007/08 water year the total volume delivered to
GWMWater’s rural system was 5,596 ML. The total volume
delivered to GWMWater’s urban system was 3,357 ML. This
water year represents a period when water commenced being
delivered through the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline and a
Qualification of Rights to water was in place. Hence total water
use is lower than in previous years.
Total water use by GWMWater in the Wimmera-Glenelg system
was 8,953 ML, which was 28,620 ML less than the available
allocation of 37,573 ML. These volumes represent metered
releases from Taylors Lake, Rocklands-Lubeck Channel and
Main Central Outlet at Glenorchy. The table below shows
these volumes.
All allocations were made in accordance with the Bulk
Entitlement. Under the Bulk Entitlements, GWMWater is
required to report on a range of specific matters. The
following section addresses these requirements for both rural
and urban systems.
Water usage for 2007/08 water year - Wimmera Glenelg system
Primary Entitlement Holder
Allocations
Total Delivered
Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater Rural)
25,273
5,596
Grampians Water (GWMWater Urban)
12,300
3,357
Coliban Water
380
425
Wannon Water
83
66
186
8^
0
0
38,222
9,453*
Environment
Development Reserve Account
Total (ML)
* Allocations were determined according to a Qualification of Rights in place at this time.
^ This volume does not include the Environment’s carry volume. Carry over usage is not
included in the available water.
28
Reporting for the Wimmera-Glenelg Bulk Entitlement
Conversion Order 2004 (Wimmera Mallee Water)
The matters below relate to items required to be reported
according to Section 19.1 of the Bulk Entitlement for the
GWMWater Rural System
Waterway/Channel
Mt Zero
Moora
a) Daily information is not required for annual reporting
Old Natimuk
b) The annual amount of water taken under this entitlement
Clear Lake
c) Compliance with diversions according to section 7.5 requires
an average over five years. However, the average volumes
diverted from the Moora system, and Rocklands system for
the 2007/08 water year were 1,514 and 0 ML respectively
and hence are under the required average for a single year
Natimuk
Usage 2007/08
ML
108
0
321
0
120
Wonwondah North
0
Bungalally
0
Burnt Ck Nth
0
d) 498 ML water was taken into the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
(WMP) from Lake Bellfield as shown in the table, right. No
water was taken under this entitlement at any other works of
GWMWater
Green Lake Inlet
0
Toolondo Chl Usage
0
Pine Lake
0
e) The amount of water supplied to each primary entitlement
holder is reported in the table to the right
Taylors Outlet
Rocklands Lubeck
2,353
f) The primary entitlement stakeholders received allocations as
reported in the table on the previous page
Main Central Outlet
2,382
g) A metering program was submitted to DSE in late 2005. As
new meters are installed as part of the WMP, this metering
program will be updated
Wimmera River below Glenorchy
0
Wimmera River below Huddlestons
0
Richardson River
9
Avoca River
0
h) No changes were made to the reliability and the annual
entitlement under Schedule 2 used for allocations in the
2007/08 water year. However, an amendment to the Bulk
Entitlement was made in January 2009, and reliabilities will
change for the 2008/09 water year
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline (from Bellfield)
340
498
i) No temporary or permanent transfers of all or part of this
Bulk Entitlement occurred during 2007/08
j) No Bulk Entitlement, licence or water right was transferred to
the GWMWater supply system
k) No amendment to this order was made for the 2007/08 Bulk
Entitlement year. An amendment was made during the
2008/09 water year. This amendment will be reported fully
next year when the full 2008/09 water year data is available
l) No new Bulk Entitlement was granted to GWMWater
with respect to the GWMWater rural supply systems under
this order
m) GWMWater was fully compliant with the provisions of the
Bulk Entitlement order
n) No issues arose in implementation of the Bulk Entitlement
in 2007/08
29
Reporting for the Wimmera-Glenelg Bulk Entitlement
Conversion Order 2004 (Grampians Water)
according to section 17.1 of the Bulk Entitlement for the
GWMWater Urban System:
b) The annual amounts of water taken under this entitlement at
each off take point are presented in the table above. It
should be noted that with the construction of the Wimmera
Mallee Pipeline, some meters have been replaced, and so
total metered volumes may be the sum of old and new
meter readings
c) No water was taken under this entitlement at any
other point
d) The seasonal allocations under this order are as shown in the
water usage table in the above section ‘Reporting for the
Wimmera-Glenelg Bulk Entitlement Conversion Order 2004
(Wimmera Mallee Water)’ under Grampians Water
(GWMWater Urban)
e) A metering program was submitted to DSE in late 2005. As
new meters are installed as part of the WMPP, this metering
program will be updated
f) No change was made to the reliability and the annual
entitlement under Schedule 2 used for allocations in the
2007/08 water year. However, an amendment to the BE was
made in January 2009, and reliabilities will change for the
2008/09 water year
g) There were no temporary or permanent transfers of all or
part of this Bulk Entitlement
h) No transfers to the GWMWater (urban) supply system were
made under this order, by either Bulk Entitlement, licence or
water right
i) No amendment to this order was made for the 2007/08 BE
year. An amendment was made during the 2008/09 water
year. This amendment will be reported fully next year when
the full 2008/09 water year data is available
j) No new Bulk Entitlement was granted to GWMWater with
respect to the GWMWater urban supply systems under
this order
k) GWMWater was fully compliant with the provisions of the
Bulk Entitlement order
l) No issues arose in implementation of the Bulk Entitlement
in 2007/08
2007/08 Water Year
Town
Usage ML
Town
Usage ML
Town
UsageML
Town
UsageML
Antwerp
2.0
Donald
125.5
Lascelles ^
4.6
Rupanyup*
21.7
Ararat
791.9
Dooen
0.9
Marnoo*
9.7
St Arnaud
341.9
Berriwillock ^
19.6
Glenorchy
5.7
Minyip
39.9
Stawell
1,104.0
Beulah
30.6
Great Western
15.8
Murtoa
75.5
Tarranyurk
4.2
Birchip ^
92.0
Halls Gap
174.0
Natimuk
31.3
Warracknabeal
281.5
Brim
8.0
Hopetoun
89.2
Noradjuha
0.2
Watchem
34.6
Charlton
205.3
Horsham
1,090.0
Nullawil ^
35.8
Woomelang ^
17.3
Clear Lake
0.2
Jeparit
19.2
Pimpinio
4.7
Wycheproof ^
91.2
Culgoa ^
35.1
Jung
8.1
Pomonal
23.5
Yaapeet
9.8
Dimboola
176.7
Lalbert ^
21.1
Rainbow
72.9
^ These towns were not supplied under the Wimmera-Glenelg bulk entitlement, they were supplied from either the Waranga or Northern Mallee System.
* Figures for these towns were derived.
30
Reporting for the Bulk Entitlement - Quambatook –
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Order 2006
according to Section 12.1 of the Quambatook Bulk Entitlement
Order 2006. Note that the Quambatook BE operates on a July
to June water year, and so usage can be reported for 2008/09.
b) The annual amount taken from the off take point for
2008/09 was 121.178 ML
While this volume exceeds the 100 ML annual entitlement, the
carry over from the 2007/08 water provided sufficient water
availability to meet this demand
c) There was no implementation of the metering program as
approved under sub-clause 11.2
Progress on the 2008/09 Bulk Entitlement Water Year
The first amendment to the Bulk Entitlements to return savings
from the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project was in place in
January 2009. This amendment made provision for the
accounting of water supplied by pipeline, provided some higher
reliability entitlements, and also put in place operating rules to
deliver water to the environment. The final amendment to the
Bulk Entitlement to deliver pipeline savings is anticipated to be
in place during 2010.
A table showing the water usage and allocations as of 1 July
2009 is provided below. Low usage against allocation is one of
the benefits of the pipeline. Some modest inflows were
beginning to be received during the month of June of 2009
meaning that some improvements in allocation were recorded.
d) No temporary or permanent transfer of any of this
entitlement occurred during the year
e) Quambatook customers were on Stage 2 Water Restrictions
for the duration of the water year
f) No amendment to this bulk entitlement that applied to the
2008/09 water year occurred during the water year
g) There were no new bulk entitlements granted to GWMWater
with respect to this bulk entitlement
h) There were no failures by the Corporation to comply with
any provision of this bulk entitlement
i) There were no difficulties experienced by the Corporation in
complying with this bulk entitlement
Progress of water delivered for 2008/09 water year - Wimmera Glenelg system*
Primary Entitlement Holder
Allocations
Total Delivered
GWMWater Rural
15,628
1,495
GWMWater Urban
9,619
2,448
Coliban Water
324
-
Wannon Water
64
47
Environment
1,395
-
Development Reserve
3,694
-
30,727
3,991
Total (ML)
* This volume does not include the Environment's use of carry over volume. 1390 ML of carry over was
used from 1 November. This is progress usage for the water year up to 30 June 2009.
31
Reporting for the Murray Bulk Entitlement Order
according to Section 21.1 of the Murray Bulk Entitlement Order.
Note that the Murray BE operates on a July to June water year,
and so usage can be reported for 2008/09.
d) No water was returned
e) There are no longer any primary entitlement holders
b) The annual amount taken from off take points for 2008/09 is
shown below
Offtake Point
c) A new offtake point was established at Swan Hill late in
2007/08 for the metering of usage to Supply System 5 of the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project
Meter Volume ML
f) Metering has been undertaken at all off take points A new
offtake point has been established for the metering of Supply
System 5 of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project. This site
will be co-located with an existing site at Swan Hill
Swan Hill^
1,019
g) 1,916 ML of permanent Murray water entitlement and
972.8 ML of temporary water entitlement was purchased in
2008/09. A further 84 ML of permanent entitlement is in the
process of being secured and will be finalised during 2009/10
Wemen*
1,229
h) There are no longer any primary entitlement holders
Annuello
88
i) There were no amendments to the Murray BE
Kooloonong
15
j) No new entitlement was granted to GWMWater
Haysdale
25
k) This item is not required to be reported
Piangil
295
Nyah
325
*Note that Wemen is not included in Schedule 4 of the Murray BE as a
designated offtake point. However, for completeness and consistency with
other reporting requirements it has been included here.
^Note that this volume is a total of water taken for the NMP and SS5 of
the WMPP.
32
l) Note that a Qualification of Rights was in place for 2008/09,
resulting in the necessary purchase of water temporary water
entitlement to make up shortfalls in supplying demands.
Note also that stage 4 restrictions were eased to stage 3
restrictions in early 2009
Our Employees
OUR WORKFORCE H A SNAPSHOT
GWMWater prides itself in maintaining a diverse workforce with a variety of skills sets, experience and educational backgrounds.
Our workforce profile for 2008/09 is as follows:
Position
Male
Female
Total 2008/09
Accountants
4
2
6
Accounting Clerks
2
3
5
Call or Contact Centre Workers
1
7
8
Chief Executives and Managing Directors
1
0
1
Construction Managers
0
0
0
Contract, Program and Project Administrators
1
1
2
Corporate Services Managers
0
1
1
Debt Collectors
1
0
1
Engineering Managers
2
0
2
Environmental Scientists
2
4
6
Finance Managers
0
1
1
General Clerks
6
27
33
General Managers
4
0
4
Human Resource Clerks
0
2
2
Human Resource Managers
1
0
1
Human Resource Professionals
1
0
1
ICT Business and Systems Analyst
2
0
2
ICT Managers
1
0
1
ICT Support Technicians
2
0
2
Inspectors & Regulatory Officers
1
1
2
Motor Mechanics
2
0
2
Occupational & Environmental Health Professionals
2
0
2
28
4
32
Other Information & Organisation Professionals
0
1
1
Other Miscellaneous Clerical and Administrative Workers
0
1
1
Other Miscellaneous Technicians & Trades Workers
3
1
4
Other Specialist Managers
5
0
5
85
0
85
Other Engineering Professionals
Other Stationary Plant Operators
Continued on page 35
33
CASE STUDY
EXERCISE VORTEX Victorian Counter - Terrorism Compliance
GWMWater, as a declared essential service provider, is required under the Community Protection Act: Terrorism,
Vic (2003) to conduct a terrorism exercise on an annual basis. In 2009 Exercise Vortex, facilitated by GWMWater
and involving three other water corporations, was designed to test the preparedness of each corporation to
manage potential acts of terrorism or attacks on critical water and wastewater infrastructure.
Exercise Vortex involved coordination across four locations in Western Victoria. Training of staff from each
corporation was provided prior to the role playing of a three hour scripted exercise. The purpose was to test the
abilities of staff in a number of situations to demonstrate they could actively manage incidents as well as
coordinate emergencies across all corporations. Over the course of the exercise, each member of the Crisis
Management Team was put under considerable pressure to resemble a real life situation if faced with a perceived
terrorism threat.
The successful implementation and analysis of Vortex resulted in assurance and sign-off by the Victorian
Government that each participating corporation is competent in managing any future unpredicted events.
34
OUR WORKFORCE H A SNAPSHOT Continued
Position
Male
Female
Total 2008/09
Payroll Clerks
0
1
1
Personal Assistants
0
2
2
Public Relations Professionals
0
2
2
Purchasing & Supply Logistics Clerks
0
2
2
Research and Development Managers
1
0
1
Storepersons
1
0
1
Supply and Distribution Managers
4
0
4
Telecommunications Technical Specialists
2
0
2
Urban & Regional Planners
6
0
6
Total 2008/09
171
63
234
Total 2007/08
170
63
233
Total 2006/07
164
53
217
Position descriptors in previous years were sourced from Australian Standard Classification of Occupations 2nd edition codes as
supplied by the Office of Public Employment. In 2008 the occupation coding was replaced with the implementation of Australian
and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, designed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The descriptors and
categories have again been modified in 2009.
Staff turnover for 2008/09 was 8.1 percent, which is significantly lower than the 2007/08 turnover rate of 18 percent.
RESPECTING DIVERSITY AND ENSURING EQUALITY
Cultural diversity
Attracting high quality candidates to regional areas continues to
be a challenge for GWMWater. As a consequence recruiting
employees from overseas will continue. One approach has been
to target students who are currently studying in Australia but
have yet to obtain their residency status. GWMWater has
facilitated this process for a number of employees in the past
with the help of the local Regional Skilled Migration Program.
The mix of nationalities within the corporation continues to
grow with employees from different cultural backgrounds being
successfully inducted and genuinely welcomed into the
corporation and the local community.
We will continue to offer a range of services to assist people
from diverse cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds to
access our services and participate in our community
engagement programs.
Disability action plan
GWMWater, in response to legal requirement under Section 38
of the Disability Act 2006, has developed and implemented a
Disability Action Plan (DAP) for the purpose of:
(a) Reducing barriers to persons with a disability accessing
goods, services and facilities
(b) Reducing barriers to persons with a disability obtaining and
maintaining employment
(c) Promoting inclusion and participating in the community of
persons with a disability
(d) Achieving tangible changes in attitudes and practices which
discriminate against persons with a disability
The DAP will be monitored and reported on by the DAP
Advisory Group and the Executive.
35
Indigenous
GWMWater adopted its Indigenous Engagement Policy
as a management policy in July 2006. The policy considers
the nature of our activities and services, operational and
customer considerations and legal and regulatory
requirements. The policy contains global commitments
which are translated into action through an Indigenous
Engagement Strategy and the implementation of
specific actions.
Implementation of the Wotjobaluk Native Title Consent
Determination and Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 has
resulted in significant changes. GWMWater is responding to
meet these changes by ensuring that it not only meets its
legislative requirements but continues to act in good faith.
As a member of the Wimmera Indigenous Resources
Management Partnership, we continue to work closely with
other agencies and indigenous groups to discuss native title
and cultural heritage issues.
In recognition of the significance of the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline to cultural heritage, GWMWater entered into an
agreement with Barenji Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal
Corporation on the management of cultural heritage
issues during construction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
in their area.
The Future Use of Reservoirs and channel decommissioning
projects have also significant Aboriginal and post-European
settlement cultural heritage issues to which the corporation
is responding.
Women
GWMWater is committed to ensuring female employees
develop successful career paths within the corporation, by
adhering to the principles of equal employment opportunity.
At 30 June 2009 there were 63 female employees (26.9
percent) out of a total of 234 employees. This reflects a
similar figure to the previous 12 months.
The corporation has a management structure of 20. Within
this group, there are four women. The overall representation
of women in management is 20 percent which is less than
the representation of women across the organisation.
As part of its succession plan, GWMWater will ensure female
employees with management aspirations are given the
opportunity to participate in a 12 month Emerging Leaders
Program as well as other relevant development activities to
ensure there is a diverse internal talent pool for management
vacancies as they arise.
Youth
GWMWater recognises that youth is the key to our ongoing
effectiveness within the community and continues to
support a range of programs that encourage employment
options for young people wanting to pursue their careers in
the region. We actively provide educational opportunities for
school aged children through educational sessions dealing
with water conservation and sustainability issues and
promote various career paths that are provided by the water
industry. Our activities include:
• Participation in regional careers expos
• Encouraging and supporting work experience students
from local secondary colleges
• Ongoing sponsorship of engineering students from the
Bendigo Campus of Latrobe University by contributing
towards university fees and 12 weeks paid work
placement each year
• Participation in the Victorian Government sponsored
Youth Employment Scheme
• Participation on forums focused on retaining youth in
the Wimmera
• Supporting the Leadership Wimmera Program and the
Local Learning and Employment Network community
based programs
• Membership of the Board of Leadership Wimmera,
which provides for professional and leadership training
opportunities for community based and industry based
leaders, and the Board of the Wimmera Southern Mallee
Local Learning and Employment Network
36
SUPPORTING OUR EMPLOYEES
TO ACHIEVE
Organisational culture
GWMWater has a diverse culture due to the geographical
distance and spread of workplaces. It is one of the largest
employers in the region and is perceived to be a progressive yet
secure place to work. GWMWater provides lasting and fulfilling
careers for employees which is evident in the length of service
and feedback from many of its employees.
Valuing our employees
GWMWater recognises the importance of providing our
employees with a supportive working environment to achieve
both organisational and individual development. Our Corporate
values reinforce the emphasis we place on respecting others,
recognition of achievement, fostering a learning and fulfilling
work environment.
Employee engagement
We have established an employee Consultative Committee to
facilitate engagement with employee representatives across the
organisation. The Committee discusses a variety of issues
including enterprise bargaining, staff related policy and
procedure and organisational change.
Application of merit and equity principles
GWMWater communicates the Victorian Public Sector
Employment Principles and this forms an integral part of the
induction process for new employees.
Rewarding performance
GWMWater has a comprehensive performance management
program in place to reward and encourage effective
performance. All employees receive an annual performance
review as well as ongoing feedback throughout the year.
Investment in training
The total financial commitment for training and development in
2008/09 was $268,399. This equates to $1,176 for each full
time employee.
Ninety seven percent of GWMWater employees received some
level of training during the year.
Training and development
The appointment of a Learning and Development Officer has
assisted in achieving the corporation’s business outcomes
through continuous analysis of the corporation’s development
needs and the creation and delivery of a development strategy
and associated programs.
Significant investment was made in the areas of compliance and
water quality. These two areas had been identified through the
corporation’s risk matrix.
Another area of significant development has been the
introduction of the corporation’s Professional and Personal
Development policy which forms a key platform in the
corporation’s retention strategy. This involves supporting staff to
pursue higher degrees by research.
GWMWater has secured the services of Goulburn Murray Water
Training Services to deliver Certificate II and III Water Industry of
the Operations Program and this will commence in August
2009. The relationship with Goulburn Murray Water Training
Services will ensure that all employees complete a tailored, high
level training package relevant to the organisations and the
individual’s needs.
Fourteen staff members from Operations and Water Quality
completed Certificate IV in Assessment and Training (Train Small
Groups) in June. This will now enable these staff to deliver
in-house training to our operations teams, utilising the expertise
and knowledge of our own staff and at the same time providing
obvious cost savings.
Leadership Wimmera
Once again we have offered our ongoing support for the
Leadership Wimmera program, with four staff members
undertaking the 2009 program. This program continues to
provide participants with an excellent opportunity for personal
growth and development due to its content and delivery style.
It also provides participants the ability to share experiences
and establish strong business relationships and networks for
the future.
Higher Degrees by Research
We are currently working with Water in Drylands Collaborative
Research Program (WIDCORP) and the University of Ballarat on
this new initiative, so that we can support Higher Degrees by
facilitating opportunities for staff to undertake research projects
that will mutually benefit GWMWater, the staff member and the
industry as a whole.
37
Occupational health and safety
GWMWater’s Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) program
continues to build on solid foundations that are well supported
by safety committees, health and safety representatives and
senior management.
Occupational health and safety performance indicators
Evidence of this is reflected in improved OH&S performance
indicators, increased levels of safety committee and health
and safety representative activity and an organisational
commitment to gain certification to AS/NZS 4801:2001 OH&S
Management Systems, ISO 9001 Quality and ISO 14001
Environment in 2009.
This strategy of further strengthening OH&S management
systems is imperative with the incremental handing over of
the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline to GWMWater. With the
handover of the pipeline system, a new world of working
with water creates an exciting new challenge to the OH&S
department.
GWMWater is a member of the VicWater Industry OH&S
network and actively participates in discussions and shares
knowledge that assists in the continual improvement of OH&S
measures across the Victorian water industry. GWMWater looks
forward to continuing to participate in this positive and
informative forum.
Other initiatives undertaken to improve OH&S during
2008/09 included:
• A new Corporate Management System including OH&S
Management System review, development and
implementation
• Amalgamation of the Grampians/ Wimmera and Mallee
Safety Committees
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Number of reported
incidents
47
25
32
Number of medical
treatment injuries
9
6
8
Number of lost time
injuries
9
4
5
Lost time injury
frequency rate
23.8
13.2
13.1
Average time lost rate
(days)
19.2
29.5
2.4
Total days lost due to
workplace injuries
173
343
129
Number of workplace
inspections conducted
33
72
109
Number of OHS system
audits
19
25
38
Number of hazard
reports completed
33
53
42
Number of workers
compensation claims
12
11
2
There were 32 reported incidents in 2008/09 of which eight
where classed as medical treatment injuries and five classed as
lost time injuries. The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate as at 30
June 2009 was 13.1 lost time injuries per million hours worked.
Of particular note was the Average Time Lost Rate which
reduced by 91.8% between 2007/08 and 2008/09.
• A new OH&S Field Officer position has strengthened
OH&S programs
Over the course of the year, 109 workplace inspections, 38
OH&S management system audits and 42 hazard reports were
completed.
• An asset management team committed to asset condition
assessment, upgrade and replacement programs to assist
with water delivery quality and safety on an on-going basis.
There were two new WorkCover standard claims received
during the year.
• A new Learning and Development Officer strengthened
OH&S training programs
• OH&S due diligence training for line management and
employees of the organisation
• Operators utilising Haycolec Voltage Detectors when
changing water meters
• Health and well being program including free influenza
vaccinations for staff.
Industrial relations
Negotiations to extend and vary the current GWMWater
Enterprise Agreement commenced in August 2008.
An extended and varied version of the GWMWater Enterprise
Agreement is expected to be approved early in the 2009/10
reporting year.
No time was lost during the year due to industrial disputes.
38
RESEARCH PROGRAM
Although small in scale, the GWMWater research program is
considered a leader in the Australian water industry. Research in
2008/09 was showcased through several events and workshops.
A research plan identifying major research needs and themes for
the Corporation was produced along with a project
identification and prioritisation process to ensure limited
research funds are spent in appropriate areas. Our research
themes are:
1. Water quantity – impact of climate change and land
use change
2. Water quality - impact of climate change and land
use change
3. Efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery – reducing our
energy consumption and improving sustainability
4. Wastewater quantity and quality
5. Organisational capability and capacity – ensuring the
Corporation has the necessary skills and ability to address
the future
These included conducting workshops with research and
industry partners on topics such as
• Point of Entry and Point of Use systems
• Opportunities for biofuels from algae grown in wastewater
• Brine stream management
• Northern Mallee Pipeline Optimisation
The year was highlighted by the conduct of the inaugural
GWMWater Research Forum which highlighted the diversity of
research undertaken by the Corporation. Further support for
research within the Corporation was obtained with the Personal
and Professional Development Policy being adapted to allow
employees to undertake supported higher degree research on a
part-time basis whilst employed with the Corporation. One
employee has already commenced under this program with
three other employees pursuing this opportunity.
The Water In Drylands Collaborative Research Program
(WIDCORP) and the Institute for Sustainability and Innovation
(Victoria University) remain strong research partners. Local
support and encouragement from WIDCORP has been
fundamental in establishing the opportunity for higher degree
research by staff. Victoria University has maintained its strong
position in carrying out research into improving sustainability of
the Corporation.
CASE STUDY
Research Project: The impact of fuel reduction burns on catchment processes
and the potability of downstream water supplies
This project will investigate how catchment processes alter the water quality characteristics of runoff following the occurrence
of planned fuel reduction burns within a water supply catchment. Specifically, it will explore how organic carbon loads may
change post fire and how this influences the water treatment process downstream. These parameters will be related to
GWMWater’s obligations to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. In terms of catchment processes, this research will
investigate soil characteristics such as infiltration, stability and erosion potential and how these change post fire. The study area
for this research is proposed to be within the Wartook reservoir catchment, on the upper Mackenzie River. This reservoir is a
primary reservoir for GWMWater being the sole supply of surface water for the city of Horsham. Specific site locations are
currently under discussion with Parks Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment.
This area of research will benefit GWMWater and the wider research community as fire is a regular event within the Grampians
and other water supply catchment areas. The advent of climate change may increase the frequency and/or severity of fire, and
this in turn may have long term strategic implications on the quality of water delivered to customers. Advance knowledge of
likely changes or impacts will assist in the configuring of water treatment plants to deal with these eventualities and assist
decision makers when harvesting water.
39
Economic Sustainability
The financial performance of GWMWater has been affected by
the continued dry period that has adversely affected our ability
to maintain water supply to the region.
Urban water restrictions were maintained at Stage 4 in all towns
that rely on either the Grampians or Murray System throughout
the year. Groundwater towns continue to be subject to the
Victorian Government’s Permanent Water Savings Rules that
came into effect from 1 October 2006.
Irrigation and diversion customers once again received no water
allocation during 2008/09.
Domestic and stock customers receiving a pipeline supply, like
urban customers, were also on a restricted supply. The rural
restriction by-law came into effect in 2008/09 and as a result all
customers on the Northern Mallee Pipeline and Wimmera
Mallee Pipeline Supply Systems 1 and 5 were on a Stage 4
restrictions. Customers on Supply System 2 and some parts of
Supply Systems 3 and 4 were able to receive an intermittent
emergency supply from the Pipeline. Domestic and stock
customers commanded by the Waranga Channel system
received an allocation of water in 2008 that was in the order
of 40%.
Overall revenue for the year has increased by 11% and this has
been very much influenced by the price rises that were approved
by the ESC for the first year of the five year regulatory period.
In order to secure supply for rural and urban services sourced
from the Murray, 2,000 ML of permanent water allocation was
secured at a cost of $4.6 million. This was supplemented by
further purchases of temporary water, with 972.8 ML purchased
at a cost of $318,000.
The construction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project
continues to dominate the GWMWater capital works program,
with a total of $562 million expended on the project to the end
of June 2009. Other capital expenditure included $1.2 million
on urban water and wastewater reticulation renewals, $3.2
million on the Nhill wastewater treatment plant and $2.7 million
on the SCADA project.
The acceleration of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project has
shortened the lives of channel infrastructure and resulted in a
depreciation charge of $30.8 million. A provision of $11.8
million has been raised to reflect the obligation of GWMWater
to remove channels and associated structures that have been
made redundant as a consequence of the project.
40
The financing model for the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline provides
for all government funds to be advanced before GWMWater is
required to commit any funds to the project. GWMWater
commenced its borrowing program in the final quarter of 2009
with $13 million in borrowings raised by GWMWater to finance
the project.
This has produced an overall operating deficit of $30.1 million
for the 2008/09 financial year. This result, however, is strongly
affected by asset write downs and adjustments arising from the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project. Perhaps the most significant
measure of performance is the cash flow from operations and
this figure remains positive at $10.4 million in 2008/09.
VICTORIAN INDUSTRY
PARTICIPATION POLICY
During 2008/09, GWMWater commenced eight contracts
totalling $251,900,821 in value to which the Victorian
Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) applied. All contracts are for
regional projects.
The commitments by contractors under the VIPP included:
• An overall level of local content of 76 percent of the total
value of the contracts
• 241 full time equivalent jobs
• The benefits to the Victorian economy in terms of skills and
technology include increased local employment and a boost
to the regional economy
Seven contracts totalling $249,989,726 in value reached
completion during the year to which the VIPP applied. All
contracts were regional projects.
The outcomes reported by contractors under the VIPP included:
• An overall level of local content of 99 percent of the total
value of the contract was achieved
• 199 additional full time equivalent jobs of the total 378 full
time equivalents employees
• The projects have demonstrated a significant increase in the
management and technical skills of suppliers within the
region. The local content also demonstrates that the region
has the capability to manage, commission and service large
technical engineering projects
ESSENTIAL SERVICES COMMISSION
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) assumed
responsibility for economic regulation of the water industry
on 1 July 2004.
On 1 July 2008, GWMWater introduced price increases that
averaged 11% across all customer groups that was approved
by the ESC as part of the 2008 Water Price Review. The ESC
did not however approve the proposed rural pipeline tariff as
this was subject to a separate review process.
CONSULTANCIES AND MAJOR
CONTRACTS
A detailed list of consultancies used in 2008/09 over
$100,000 and major contracts over $10 million is located in
the financial report at the end of this document.
The total value of consultancies under $100,000 is included
under Note 36 of the Financial Statements.
The ESC subsequently approved the rural pipeline tariff in
November 2008 but deferred any decision on the tariff as it
applied to the conversion allocation of 2.5 kL per hectare and
its relationship with the growth water sales process and the
proposed introduction of water trading.
In relation to the sale of growth water and water trading, the
ESC sought clarification from the Department of
Sustainability and Environment on the policy and legislative
context of water allocation and trading for domestic and
stock customers.
41
Social Sustainability
LISTENING TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND
STAKEHOLDERS
GWMWater’s key external stakeholder groups include:
Customers – urban, rural, commercial, industrial
Community – general community, community groups
Government – Victorian Government (including regulatory
agencies), local government, local members of Parliament,
catchment management authorities
Special interest groups – including the Victorian Farmers
Federation and environmental groups
CUSTOMER COMMITTEES AND
ENGAGEMENT
There are seven standing customer committees of the
GWMWater Board:
• Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee Customer Committees
• Wimmera Irrigators and Diverters Consultative Committee
• Pipeline Community Reference Group
• Regional Recreation Water Users Working Group
• West Wimmera Groundwater Management Area
Consultative Committee
Each customer committee consists of up to 16 members. The
committees met a total of 24 times during 2008/09, with
various sub-committees also meeting on a number of occasions.
Key issues addressed included the regional water supply
situation and water restriction levels, water pricing, a new rural
pipeline tariff structure, water entitlements and trading, and the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
42
In July 2008 members from the newly formed Grampians,
Wimmera and Mallee customer committees gathered in
Horsham for an induction day, replacing the annual summit.
Members were briefed about the structure, roles and
responsibilities of GWMWater and participated on a bus tour of
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline construction sites and the Horsham
water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant.
The newly formed Regional Recreational Water Users Group will
represent community views and provide advice regarding the
management of recreation water and related facilities at
GWMWater sites.
The committee has continued to meet on a regular basis in its
role of assisting in the development of the groundwater
management strategy for the West Wimmera Groundwater
Management Area.
The strategy will provide the framework to guide future
management of the groundwater resources of the area. Eight
meetings have been held during the reporting period. The
committee has had a key role in determining the management
issues that need to be addressed in the groundwater strategy.
The committee has also had input into two technical studies
undertaken to underpin the development of the strategy by
providing an understanding of the groundwater resource and
the socio-economic impact of its management.
Drought Reference Committee
The Drought Reference Committee was established to regularly
review the status of the regional water resource, assist with the
development of appropriate communication strategies, ensure
all customers groups remain adequately informed and to make
appropriate recommendations to the Board of GWMWater.
The group, which comprises representatives from our customer
committees, the Department of Sustainability and Environment,
the Victorian Farmers Federation and the Wimmera and
Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authorities, met on
two occasions in 2008/09.
Regulated water supplies
Annual information sessions continue to be held in our 39
regulated water supply towns to highlight and manage the
potential health risks associated with regulated water supplies.
GWMWater continues to work with local government to assist
councils meet their obligations with regards to the Food Act
2004, in these towns.
Other strategies for managing the potential health risks
associated with these water supplies include the issue of an
annual untreated water supply notice to all customers,
untreated water supply advice on customer accounts and
signage on all publicly accessible taps in association with
local government.
Taylors Lake Recreation Plan Stakeholder Working Group
The Taylors Lake Recreation Plan Stakeholder Working Group
met for the first time in February 2009 to assist in developing
both short and long term recreational plans for the lake.
Membership of the group includes representatives of skiing,
sailing, fishing, environmental, community, cultural, council,
VRFish and Marine Safety Victoria.
A draft plan will be made available for community comment
and submissions will be called for in 2009. Submissions will be
reviewed and considered before a final plan is adopted by the
GWMWater Board. This plan will then provide the basis for
seeking funding for the implementation of any required works,
with implementation of the plan commencing in 2010.
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
During the year the community engagement focus shifted to
intensive land liaison, with GWMWater staff available to meet
individually with landowners.
Preparation for construction in Supply Systems 3, 4 and 6
included the preparation of construction line lists, access
agreements and tapping documentation. Feedback on the
process has been very positive with excellent cooperation
from landowners.
Project officers also provided project updates to a range of
community organisations across the region, including farmer
and Landcare groups, service organisations, schools and
community groups.
Pricing and Tariff Working Group
The Pricing and Tariff Working Group was established in
April 2009 and provides advice to the GWMWater Board in
relation to:
• the development of rural and urban pricing proposals and
associated tariff structures for submission to the Essential
Services Commission
• service standards including cost reflectivity and price
differentiation
• industrial and bulk water pricing
• recreational water pricing
• issues associated with water trading and the sale of
growth water
• community engagement strategies and the development of
information for circulation to GWMWater customers and
other key stakeholders as appropriate
Membership of this new working group comprises the
Chairman and one other member from each of the Grampians,
Wimmera and Mallee Customer Committees, the Chairman of
the Wimmera Irrigators and Diverters Customer Committee and
two major GWMWater industrial customers.
43
00
WORKING WITH AND SUPPORTING
OUR COMMUNITY
Customer Charters
Urban customer standards are addressed in our Urban Customer
Charter. The standards for supply and the procedures employed
in the management of urban services have been agreed with
customers and are based on the level of service provided. A
similar Rural Customer Charter was developed for rural
customers and approved by the ESC in 2008.
Revised standards and targets for both the Urban and Rural
Customer Charters were presented to the ESC after significant
community consultation and were approved as part of the
2008/13 Water Plan in June 2008.
The Energy and Water Ombudsman of Victoria was given the
opportunity to review and comment on the Charters and
provided feedback on some of the standards and the level of
service agreed with our customers.
Regional development
The Corporation participated in a number of regional projects
including looking at agricultural opportunities from the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, retaining youth in the region and
provided input into the development of Regional Development
Australia, as the successor to Area Consultative Committees.
Staff contribution to our community
Many GWMWater employees contribute significantly to our
regional community through more than just their work with us.
Like the rest of our community, many of our employees
volunteer their time outside of work to many community based
organisations that help us all. Below are just some of the
organisations that they are actively involved in:
• Access all abilities – Table Tennis Program
• Connect Wimmera
• Country Fire Authority
• Greater Green Triangle Area Consultative Committee
• Horsham Junior Soccer Club
• Horsham Tidy Towns Committee
• Karkana Support Services
• Leadership Wimmera
• Local Learning and Employment Network
• Meals on Wheels
• Red Cross Blood Bank
• Regional Services Clubs (Rotary, Apex and Lions)
• Rupanyup Community Centre Steering Committee
• Rupanyup Kindergarten
A shortage of available water once again meant that the
Corporation was not able to commence the provision of Growth
Water made available from the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
Project. Growth Water is commonly regarded as the principle
source of water for new regional development or expansion. As
further sections of the pipeline are commissioned we are
moving closer to being able to actively market this product.
• Rupanyup Memorial Park Committee of Management
The Corporation also supports its employees in the Wimmera
Leadership Program and is currently involved in the Wimmera
Southern Mallee Regional Strategic Planning Project.
Field day, festivals and local show exhibits
We are represented at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days at
Longerenong and the Mallee Field Days at Speed each year. This
year’s displays focused on our new ‘Gardening in the
GWMWater Region’ facts sheet series and waterwise gardening.
Each Spring we exhibit at a number of agricultural shows across
the region. Exhibits and displays are organised on water related
issues of regional importance and where appropriate, local
issues for that particular town or area.
Charitable activities
A staff committee organised and ran our annual Charity Golf
and Bowls Day to raise funds for local charities. Past and current
employees, Board Directors, contractors and other government
agencies were involved in the day.
The 2008 Charity Golf and Bowls Day raised $6,000 which was
distributed to a range of local charities and community groups.
• Scouts
• Tandara Lutheran Camp, Halls Gap
• Various regional football and netball clubs
• Wimmera Health Care Group
• Various tree planting weekends
We continue to sponsor the Horsham Spring Garden Festival
which is held in October each year. A major focus of the festival
is low water use gardens.
In 2008 we participated in and were a major sponsor of the
Longerenong Sustainable Living Festival with a display on water
conservation and activities for children.
44
OTHER ACTIVITIES
National Water Week
National Water Week encourages water conservation and
recycling, focusing community attention on water and all
its uses.
Our regular National Water Week poster competition for school
students across the region attracted in excess of 700 entries. A
prep student from Beulah Primary School, Connor McCredden,
and Year 5 student Baillie Batchelor from Our Lady Help of
Christians School in Murtoa, both won the State prize for their
section of the competition.
A display was placed in the Horsham Plaza and staff attended at
various times to provide information and promotional items with
a water conservation message to plaza customers.
Educational visits
Our staff regularly visited many of the 88 schools across our
region to deliver the message of water conservation, sustainable
environmental management and to highlight regional issues
such as the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
School tours of water facilities were provided upon request.
Website
Updated daily, our website continues to prove a popular and
effective tool for keeping our customers up-to-date with the
latest news and events around the region.
Guest speakers
We continue to regularly provide guest speakers to community
groups throughout the region, talking on a range of topics
including the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, water restrictions and
water conservation.
Regular newsletters
To ensure customers remain aware of issues that affect them,
our customer newsletter ‘Tapping In’ is produced and circulated
to all urban customers on a quarterly basis. Two ‘Piping It’
newsletters providing regular updates on the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline project were circulated to over 30,000 rural and urban
customers via a letterbox drop. One rural newsletter was sent
directly to our 7,000 domestic and stock rural customers
during the year.
Fact sheets
We continue to develop a comprehensive series of fact sheets,
with 63 current fact sheets covering important issues such as
the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, water carting and water tank
rebate schemes.
We launched our new garden fact sheet series at the Wimmera
Field Days in March. Titled ‘Gardening in the GWMWater
Region’, this new ongoing publication has been developed with
the assistance of local garden expert Ted Brown. New fact
sheets are being developed regularly and are made available to
customers through our website or by contacting us to have
them sent out. Over 800 copies were sent to customers within
the first four months of the launch.
Year 9 and 10 water conference
In June 2009, 85 students from across the region presented
their researched findings on the topic “is our water use
sustainable today, tomorrow and beyond” at our annual Year 9
and 10 conference in Horsham.
The students were commended for their extensive investigation
into what changes, if any, are necessary to ensure a sustainable
future for themselves and their children. For the first time this
year, schools from outside our region shared information on
water issues in their area using technology that allowed them
to remain at their own school while presenting their findings.
This included one school from New Zealand and four
Melbourne schools.
Keynote speaker at the conference was Gwyllim Klippel-Cooper,
the joint winner of the 2008 Australian Junior Water Prize and
represented Australia in Stockholm. The conference was
broadcast live on the GWMWater internet site and was
supported by the Victorian Government’s Smart Water Fund and
the University of Ballarat.
Forty-one newsletters were also circulated to specific
customer groups on issues including water quality,
opportunities for reclaimed water use and general community
information sessions.
45
MANAGING OUR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The drought has resulted in reduced water allocations and continued restrictions. This has created service difficulties for the
corporation and issues for our customers. A great deal of our emphasis and energy in the past 12 months has been placed on
managing social and economic impacts on customers and our communities.
1,000,000
Average Historical: 290,000 ML
Historical Median: 176,000 ML
12 Year Average: 69,000 ML
900,000
INFLOW (ML)
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
Total Grampians system storage annual inflow 1891 - 2008
46
2008
2005
2002
1999
1996
1993
1990
1987
1984
1981
1978
1975
1972
1969
1966
1963
1960
1957
1954
1951
1948
1945
1942
1939
1936
1933
1930
1927
1924
1921
1918
1915
1912
1909
1906
1903
1900
1897
1894
1891
0
Urban water restriction levels
Under our comprehensive Drought Response Plan, water
restrictions remained in place in 63 of our 73 towns. Water
restrictions in place under our Urban Water Restrictions By-Law
No.104 as at 30 June 2008 were:
Stage 1 restrictions
Edenhope
Harrow
Buangor
Elmhurst
Moyston
Quambatook
Willaura
Lake Bolac
Wickliffe
Berriwillock
Chillingollah
Culgoa
Lalbert
Nandaly
Nullawil
Patchewollock
Sea Lake
Tempy
Ultima
Waitchie
Walpeup
Chinkapook
Manangatang
Ouyen
Speed
Underbool
Antwerp
Ararat
Birchip
Brim
Clear Lake
Dimboola
Dooen
Glenorchy
Halls Gap
Hopetoun
Jeparit
Jung
Marnoo
Minyip
Natimuk
Noradjuha
Pomonal
Rainbow
St Arnaud
Stawell
Tarranyurk
Warracknabeal
Westmere
Woomelang
Beulah
Charlton
Donald
Great Western
Horsham
Lascelles
Murtoa
Pimpinio
Rupanyup
Streatham
Watchem
Wycheproof
Exemptions
GWMWater once again implemented an exemption program
whereby recreational and sporting facilities in the 54 towns
affected by stage 3 and 4 water restrictions could water a
limited playing surface with a capped volume of water. We
worked closely with councils and sporting bodies to develop the
criteria for these exemptions recognising the important role
that recreational and sporting facilities play in regional
communities. Some 57 organisations registered and received
exemption permits under this program in 2008/09. The
monitoring of this program is extensive with over 400 on-site
visits made to advise and confirm supply arrangements and to
verify usage volumes.
A general exemption to customers on Stage 4 water restrictions
was provided in February 2009 that allowed watering of
gardens, via hand held hose fitted with a trigger shut off
nozzle, for one hour on each of two days per week on an odds
and evens system. The general exemption allowing bucket
watering of gardens at any time continued.
Our Water Restriction Assessment Panel considered a total of
119 applications during the year for purposes which were not
permitted under the Water Restriction By-Laws. Of these
applications for exemption, 64 were approved either in part
or in full.
Rural Pipeline Water restriction levels
In December 2008 a new Rural Pipeline Water Restriction
By-Law No.103 was introduced, which in content is very
similar to the Urban Water Restrictions By-Law. This is part
of a strategy to have a uniform by-law across the entire
supply region.
The new By-Law allowed the Corporation to apply enforceable
water restrictions on customers supplied from rural pipelines.
Currently customers supplied from the Murray system are on
Stage 3 water restrictions and those supplied from the
Grampians on Stage 4 restrictions.
47
Major non-residential urban water users
Under section 122ZJ of the Water Act 1989 GWMWater must
include information in relation to each non-residential customer
who consumes greater than 50 ML of water from an urban
water supply.
Table 1: Customer by volume range
Volumetric range H ML per year
No Customers
Equal to or greater 50 ML less than 100 ML
3
0
0
1
0
0
0
Total number of customers
4
Table 2: Naming of customers and participation in water
conservation programs
Customer
Customers participation in water
conservation program
Stawell Gold Mines
Pty Ltd
Submitted water conservation plan as
part of WaterMAP program
Alindare Pty Ltd
Submitted a water conservation plan as
part of WaterMAP program and under
trade waste reduction strategy
Frewstal Pty Ltd
part of WaterMAP program and under
trade waste reduction strategy
Wimmera Health
Care Group
part of WaterMAP program
48
Enforcing water restrictions
Our staff made 219 property visits, with 181 follow up
telephone calls to investigate reports submitted by the public
and staff in relation to possible water restriction breaches.
Four ‘Notices to Repair’ were issued to rectify defective
plumbing works causing water to be wasted and there were
two formal breach notices and six second warning notices
issued for a breach of water restrictions. Two customers were
prosecuted for theft of water and tampering with
corporation assets.
Permanent water saving
There are currently ten towns operating under permanent water
saving rules in our region. All of these towns are reliant on
groundwater supplies and are considered secure at this time.
Community service obligations
During 2008/09, GWMWater provided the following
Community Service Obligations on behalf of Government to
support customers impacted by the drought and other socioeconomic circumstances.
During the year over $9 million of rebates were delivered by
GWMWater on behalf of government. Of this amount, $6.9
million was allocated to the rural drought relief scheme. The
specific details of the rebates delivered are included in Note 53
of the financial statements.
CASE STUDY
Tidy Towns award
Victorian Tidy Towns Judge, Mr Terry O’Brien,
presented GWMWater with the Horsham Tidy Towns
award for environmental innovation in recognition of
the annual Year 9 and 10 water conference.
Senior management from GWMWater presented
information on water management and
responded to questions from the students on
current water issues.
The water conference has been held for the past three
years. With the key question ‘Is our water use
sustainable today, tomorrow and beyond?’ as the
theme, students undertook research in their area to
present at the conference.
As a valuable educational tool to empower students
with knowledge to become water ambassadors for
the future, we plan to continue to hold the
conference each year and are grateful of the ongoing
support from the Horsham Campus of the University
of Ballarat.
Each year six schools from across the region are invited
to be involved to provide a diverse look at the issue of
water sustainability.
Students wrote a paper, produced a poster and made
a banner from their research prior to the conference
for display in the conference venue.
For the past three years support has also been
provided by Victorian State Government’s Smart
Water Fund to enable the conference program to
be developed.
Each school presented a fifteen minute report on their
findings using power point and video footage. Using
the technology available at the Horsham Campus of
the University of Ballarat, the conference was webcast
live across the internet.
In 2009 students from Tauranga Girls School in New
Zealand presented information on water availability
and issues in their area. Our students, who are living
through over twelve years of drought, were amazed to
hear the New Zealand students speak about a recent
six week drought and the harsh restrictions that were
in place at the time.
Students from Melbourne schools also provided
information on water issues in their area as a
comparison to the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee
regions by live crosses using internet technology.
49
Environmental Sustainability
IOUR WATER OUR FUTUREJ
GWMWater is continuing to implement actions from the
Victorian Governments White Paper Securing Our Water
Future Together – July 2004. These actions are highlighted
throughout this report with specific programs outlined below.
SUSTAINABLE WATER STRATEGIES
The development of a Sustainable Water Strategy (SWS) for
the western region is managed by the Department of
Sustainability and Environment (DSE). It is part of the Victorian
Government’s Our Water Our Future (2004) policy as well as a
National Water Initiative. Strategies for regions across Victoria
are in various stages of completion. They encompass issues
associated with projected changes in climate, land use,
population and demand on water resources, and presents
options to ensure reliable and safe water supply for all uses for
the next 50 years.
STATEMENT OF OBLIGATIONS
Statements of Obligations (SoO) are issued by the Victorian
Water Minister under the Water Industry Act 1994 to each of
Victoria’s twenty water corporations, including GWMWater.
The SoO between GWMWater and the Victorian Government
includes requirements for the management of dams, asset
management, dam safety, emergency response and annual
reporting requirements.
Dam safety
GWMWater is progressively conducting risk assessments on all
of its higher hazard headworks reservoirs on a priority basis as
part of an ongoing dam safety management program.
Specific actions carried out during the current financial year to
meet the requirements relevant to the SoO were:
1. Submission of a Dam Safety Report for the relevant
reservoirs managed by GWMWater
The Western Region SWS extends from Ouyen to Anglesea
and includes GWMWater as a major stakeholder. CSIRO
modelling of various climate change scenarios indicate
medium climate change could lead to a 30% reduction in
inflows and an extreme scenario would be a continuation of
the last 10 years indicating a 70% reduction in inflows.
2. Management, operation and surveillance of all headworks
reservoirs were carried out in accordance with ANCOLD
guidelines
GWMWater has committed staff resources to contribute to
working groups established by DSE to provide information and
advice to the Western Region SWS Consultative Committee.
GWMWater has been proactive in identifying key issues we
believe need to be included in the SWS and have informed
and sought feedback from customer committees.
4. An assessment of the dam safety compliance of the
Taylors Lake embankment has been completed and
rehabilitation works are due to commence in early 2010
The draft Western Region SWS will be released for public
consultation late 2009.
3. Rehabilitation works aimed at ensuring the compliance of
the Taylors Lake outlet works with relevant dam safety
standards completed
5. Risk assessments for the St Arnaud wet weather storage,
Toolondo and Moora Moora reservoirs were carried out
Risk assessments on the remaining reservoirs in the
GWMWater portfolio will continue to be scheduled on a
priority basis.
The draft Northern Region SWS was released for public
comment in late 2008. Some of the proposals from this
strategy will impact on GWMWater.
50
SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
Inflows into the Grampians bulk water supply reservoirs were
again minimal during 2008/09 and totalled only 25,000 ML
during the 2008 calendar year. This rated in the lowest 4% of
yearly inflows observed over the past 100 years.
Reservoirs fell to 3.6% of capacity during May 2009, compared
to 3.3% in May 2008. Despite water availability being at
critically low levels, restricted supplies to customers were able
to be secured due to the progress on the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline Project.
Supply Systems 1, 2 and 5 are fully operational and providing
reliable supplies to both urban and rural customers. Townships
in Supply System 3 received a piped supply, as did rural
customers on this system following the progressive installation
of service connections.
Education and awareness
The provision of information and educational materials on the
services we provide is also a specific obligation under the SoO.
GWMWater has a wide range of community awareness and
engagement programs aimed at educating our customers about
the challenges facing our region and providing them with the
opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect the services
that we provide to them. These were described in greater detail
earlier in the report.
Customers in Supply Systems 3 and 4 received water through
the GWMWater domestic water carting program from 1
November 2008 as it was not possible to provide them with a
dam fill during the year. These customers will begin to receive
emergency supplies from the system as soon as distribution
pipelines are pressure tested and service connections installed.
Customers south of Horsham, in the Supply System 6 area
remained on the water carting program.
DROUGHT RESPONSE PLAN
Supplies to the Mount William pipeline system were secured
following a bore field upgrade in 2006. Streamflows into this
system were moderate during 2008 and customers were able to
remain on Stage 2 restrictions.
A continuation of low inflows in to the Grampians headworks
reservoirs and subsequent low water availability from the system
necessitated the continuation of a number of drought
contingency measures in order to secure water supplies to all
customers across the region.
Drought response initiatives implemented during 2008/09
included the continuation of water restrictions, the provision of
emergency water supplies and water carting.
Inflows into the Murray System were the third lowest on record
and subsequently the supply situation remained critical.
Seasonal allocations reached a maximum of only 35% of
entitlement. A total of 972 ML of temporary water entitlement
was purchased during the year and restrictions to customers
supplied from the Murray River systems were eased from Stage
4 to Stage 3 in February 2009.
Other measures included the reduction of pressure within town
distribution systems and the lowering of operating levels in
town storages to reduce evaporative losses over the year.
The use of an evaporation suppressant continued to further
reduce losses from town storages.
An evaporation reduction trial planned to occur at Ouyen in
2008/09 was deferred and is now set to commence during
September 2009. This will involve the installation of floating
PVC modules in to the storage which, when applied at the
specified density, can reduce evaporation by up to 90%.
51
SURFACE WATER
Surface water, found in our rivers, creeks and reservoirs, is managed through regulated and unregulated systems. An unregulated
system consists of rivers and creeks that depend on natural flows to supply customer’s water requirements. Many of our customers
are managed through these systems and are not provided with a release from reservoirs. A regulated system is where water is
released from reservoirs to supply downstream customers. A small number of our customers access water from these systems.
The river basins within our region are the Wimmera, Avon (including the Richardson River), Glenelg, Millicent Coast and
Avoca basins.
Private surface water diversions require a licence before water can be taken. The majority of customer diversions are for stock
and domestic purposes with a minority for irrigation or commercial purposes. Due to current drought conditions, diversions have
been restricted to stock and domestic licences. Given the current outlook, restrictions are expected to remain in force for the
foreseeable future.
Regulated private diversions from waterways
D r ai n ag e B as i n
Licences
No
I r r i ga t i o n
S to ck a n d D om es ti c
Authorised
Volume
Authorised
Area
Licences
Ha
No
ML
Authorised
Volume
Ot he r
Licences
ML
No
Authorised
Volume
ML
T ota l
Licences Authorised
Volume
No
ML
Wimmera
1
50
8.3
10
26.4
0
0
11
76.4
Glenelg
0
0
0
2
4.4
3
10.4
5
14.8
Total
1
50
8.3
12
30.8
3
10.4
16
91.2
Unregulated private diversions from waterways
D r a i na ge B a s i n
Licences
No
I r r i g at i on
S t ock an d D om es t i c
Authorised
Volume
Authorised
Area
Licences
Ha
No
ML
O th er
Authorised
Volume
Licences
ML
No
Authorised
Volume
ML
Tot al
Licences Authorised
Volume
No
ML
Avoca
64
3,265.9
870.2
19
44
1
4.4
84
3,314.3
Wimmera
45
1,808.9
382.0
177
393.8
39
107.6
261
2,310.3
10
26.4
10
26.4
13
108.0
368
5,759
Glenelg
Richardson Avon
Total
52
3
86.0
13.4
10
22.0
112
5,160.8
1,265.6
216
486.2
40
112
GROUNDWATER
GWMWater manages groundwater resources to ensure groundwater use is metered and managed in a sustainable manner.
Licensing, management plans and our observation bore network ensure groundwater users and the environment are protected.
Groundwater supports many industries and private users. A ‘take and use’ licence is required for groundwater extraction, with the
exception of stock and domestic use.
GWMWater operates and manages groundwater systems in the Eastern Grampians and a large underground system that runs along
the Victorian-South Australian border known as the Murray Group Limestone Aquifer system (West Wimmera).
Groundwater supplies are generally less impacted by the drought but it is recognised that there are potential issues in relation to the
sustainability of these areas.
Groundwater entitlement and use
Licensed Entitlements
Groundwater
Management
Unit
Licences
No
Entitlement
Volume
ML
Metered
Bores
Estimated
Metering
Program
Complete
No
%
Metered
Volume
ML
Estimated
Non-metered
Use
ML
Method Used
to Estimate
Non-metered
Use
ML
Stock/
Domestic/
Bores
No
Avoca
8
1,106
6
100
451
0
N/A
37
Apsley
32
5,591
31
100
1,532
0
N/A
135
Neuarpur
48
24,691
149
100
16,144
0
N/A
299
Murrayville
35
9,634
46
100
6,638
0
N/A
283
Telopea Downs
16
10,682
18
100
2,676
0
N/A
100
Kaniva
23
7,659
24
100
3,027
0
N/A
112
0
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
N/A
N/A
13
1,522
15
100
499
0
N/A
51
Goroke
0
0
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Little Desert
0
0
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Other Areas
84
12,520
51
100
2,860
N/A
N/A
Nhill
Balrootan
Total
261
332
14
14
1,017
Note: Entitlement volumes have altered in some groundwater management areas due to boundary adjustments.
53
WATER CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
GWMWater is involved in a range of water conservation programs as outlined in the following table:
Program/Project
Aims and Objectives
Key Issues and Actions
Status / Achievement
Comments
Victorian Government
Regional Showerhead
Exchange Program
To continue to
implement initiatives to
encourage water
conservation by
residential and
commercial customers.
Customers can swap their
old shower roses for a new
and more efficient one. The
new shower roses can save
nine litres of water per
minute.
700 customers took the
opportunity to exchange
their water-wasting
shower roses for a water
efficient three-star
shower rose.
Using less water in the
shower can also
reduce energy costs
associated with
heating of water.
Water Smart Home
Rebate Scheme
Provide rebates for water
saving products listed
under the scheme.
A total of 633
applications for rebates
under the Water Smart
Home Rebate Scheme
were processed and 572
approved.
Urban customer
rebates for the
purchase of tanks and
other water saving
products amounted to
$215,720.
Water tariff reduction
Provision of a 15% tariff
reduction for not-for-profit
organisations that conserve
water by watering at night
via dedicated timed
sprinkler systems.
There are currently 24
organisations benefitting
from this initiative.
Water MAP Scheme
(introduced in 2007)
To focus on large
commercial customers
who use more than 10
ML of water annually.
To assist customers to
analyse their water
needs and put in place
water conservation
strategies.
These users have the
potential to reduce their
water use by between 5
and 15% through
recycling, the installation of
water efficient technologies
and the implementation of
water efficient processes.
The initial full year of the
scheme has seen a 15%
reduction in use by those
participating.
Pressure reduction
(introduced in
December 2006)
To minimise water losses
in distribution systems
through reduced
breakages.
Pipe pressure has been
reduced in a number of
towns to reduce breakages,
lower leakage rates and
reduce usage.
Lowered consumption
and number of reported
breakages.
Done in consultation
with local fire brigades
to ensure no negative
impacts on fire
protection.
Water carting
program (commenced
October 2006)
To supply essential
domestic water to those
rural customers who did
not receive a house dam
fill due to the ongoing
drought conditions.
28 kL of water is provided
for domestic use every
second month. Water is
carted from town storages
or from other strategic
carting sites. Water has
also been available for
carting by customers for
intensive industries, stock
watering and crop spraying.
3,008 deliveries were
made to GWMWater
customers at 30 June
2008, carting around
70.8 ML of water.
The frequency of
water carting to rural
customers was
increased to a
maximum 28KL every
month during
February 2009 when
changes were made to
exemptions to urban
water restrictions.
Reclaimed water
To reuse 100% reclaied
waste water.
1958 ML of reclaimed
water was delivered to
customers.
98.9% of available
reclaimed water was
reused with the
remainder lost to
leakage, evaporation and
a small discharge to a
lake at Willaura.
Class C waste water
supplements supply to
commercial operations
during periods of low
rainfall.
Biosolids
To generate waste
products from Waste
Water Treatment Plants
(WWTP) that benefit
business and the
community.
GWMWater Biosolids Plan
describes how our biosolids
will be managed in relation
to EPA guidelines.
The Biosoilds
Management Plan has
been revised and
updated. 3,038 tonnes of
available biosolids have
been reused. This
equates to 24.7% of the
total amount available.
The end product
benefits local
agriculture businesses.
54
Program/Project
Aims and Objectives
Key Issues and Actions
Status / Achievement
Comments
Regional catchment
management
To provide input to
natural resource
management decisions
through regional
catchment committees
and interstate relations.
Participation in
catchment management
strategy implementation
across the Mallee,
Wimmera, North-Central
and Glenelg regions,
particularly in relation to
surface water and
groundwater monitoring
and resource
management.
Participation in the crossborder management of
shared water resources.
Continued long-standing
support of Project Platypus
through $25,000 annual
sponsorship of catchment
restoration works.
Sponsorship of Project
Platypus is ongoing and
will achieve a 15 year
milestone in 2010/11.
Our involvement
recognises our corporate
environmental and social
responsibility to improve
the health of natural
resources.
Victorian Biodiversity
Strategy
To train staff in the use
of the biodiversity
register of GWMWater
facilities, listing significant
flora, fauna and
ecological communities.
Training of key staff
about the significant
biodiversity areas in the
region.
Staff can now also access
biodiversity information
through our GIS system.
Taylors Lake
Recreational Plan
To make the lake ‘what
the community wants it
to be.’
There are three phases to
the project which
commenced in February
2009.
1. Planning
2. Seeking Funding
3. Implementation
Recreation Facilities
Working Group established.
Includes representatives of
sailing, skiing, fishing, the
environment, general
community, Horsham Rural
City Council, VRFish,
Marine Safety Victoria and
Barenji Gadjin Land
Council.
State Observation
Bore Network
(SOBN)
To refurbish and
upgrade the SOBN in
the West Wimmera and
Avoca Groundwater
Management Areas
within the GWMWater
region.
Installation of 32 new
observation bores are
planned in the West
Wimmera region. 12 have
been installed in the
Avoca region. This
includes decommissioning
of old failed bores and
replacements.
Avoca drilling program
completed. Reporting,
water quality testing and
surveying to occur.
The refurbishment of the
SOBN benefits
GWMWater by improving
the reliability and extent
of monitoring networks
and enabling more
targeted management of
the aquifers in the region.
West Wimmera
Groundwater
Management
Strategy
To develop a single
groundwater
management strategy
for the groundwater
resources in the West
Wimmera.
To understand the
groundwater resource
and the socio-economic
impact and assess the
threats to groundwater
users, including the
environment.
The Strategy will provide a
framework to guide future
management of the
groundwater resource. A
hydro-geological study has
been completed and a
socio-economic study is
underway. These
documents will become
part of the strategy
currently being prepared by
the West Wimmera
Groundwater Management
Area Advisory Committee.
The study provides an
analysis of current uses
and values of
groundwater in the area.
It also explores the social
and economic costs and
benefits of various
management outcomes
of the groundwater
management strategy in
terms of changes in water
availability.
Environmental
Management System
(EMS)
To develop and
implement an EMS as
required under the
Statement of
Obligations.
The EMS is being
continuously improved
and is being implemented
into the GWMWater
work environment
through the development
of the Corporate
Management System.
Communication and
training for staff is
occurring.
An EMS includes:
organisational structure,
planning, activities,
responsibilities, practices,
procedures, process and
resources for
development,
implementation.
55
VICTORIAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY
GWMWater works closely with catchment management
authorities to develop an Annual Watering Plan to deliver water
to the environment in accordance with Bulk Entitlements.
Commencing in November 2008, some 1,390 ML was released
into the Mackenzie and Glenelg River systems to provide
maintenance flows. This included a 490 ML release from Lake
Wartook to provide benefits to the mid-MacKenzie River
extending from the Wartook Valley to Brimpaen and a 900 ML
release to the Glenelg River to provide benefits between
Rocklands Reservoir and Harrow.
The delivery of these reservoir volumes to the environment over
the past year is significant when considering the continuing
severe drought and that storage volumes were at a record low
during April 2008. The availability of this water to deliver to the
environment was assisted by the good progress of the Wimmera
Mallee Pipeline construction. However, the delivery of additional
volumes to the environment in accordance with the Bulk
Entitlement is still dependant on receiving good rainfall and the
associated recovery of the reservoir system.
56
Work will continue during the 2009/10 period to amend the
Wimmera-Glenelg Bulk Entitlement as the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline is completed. This amendment process will reallocate
water to the environment from pipeline savings, consider issues
of climate change, and provide a new framework for sharing
water into the future.
GWMWater monitors impacts on river health and participates in
the south-west and north-west regional monitoring partnerships
where a range of water quality parameters are monitored
throughout the Grampians reservoir system. Thermal monitoring
is occurring at many sites to help understand the impact of
reservoir releases on the downstream environment. GWMWater
continues to exercise its duty of care to the environment when
undertaking water supply operations.
OUR CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY
Our Sustainability Strategy details actions and outcomes for
sustainable practice across the business and enables every
group to contribute to continually improving our performance.
To deliver on our commitments, we set ambitious reduction
targets against our 2006/07 benchmark and monitor and report
on our progress every quarter.
Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
GWMWater adopted the Energy and Greenhouse Plan in
August 2007. Quarterly tracking of energy consumption has led
to a better understanding of the organisation’s pattern of use
and its CO2-e emissions. A monitoring and review program is in
place as part of a practice of continual improvement. This
involves the preparation of quarterly and annual reports for
various parameters.
Staff Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
Electricity used in offices and depots increased slightly from the
previous year with the commissioning of the Operations
Management Centre. Overall greenhouse gas emissions (from
offices, depots and the fleet) remained steady due to reduced
fleet fuel consumption. Greenhouse Gas emissions for the
whole business were 13,425 tonnes CO2-e. This reflects a
reduction in emissions as a result of the purchase and
generation of renewable energy.
16.0
Electricity used in Offices and Depots (GJ/FTE)
Greenhouse Emissions Offices, Depots and Fleet (tonnes Co2/FTE)
12.0
Initial estimates of the whole of business energy consumption
indicated that GWMWater would trigger a reporting threshold
of 25kt of CO2-e under the National Greenhouse Energy and
Reporting Scheme as the final stages of the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline Project were completed. Energy consumption has been
far less than expected and this threshold may not be triggered
for a number of years. Lower than expected emissions are most
likely a result of continuing water restrictions associated with
prolonged drought as well as more efficient operation of the
pipeline system. Emissions estimates and targets are currently
under review.
8.0
4.0
0.0
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Purchase of green power
The Energy and Greenhouse Plan included a commitment to
offset emissions by purchasing green power. This has been
achieved with the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates
and subsequent surrender of 1,150 certificates. This equates to
an offset of approximately 10% of whole-of-business emissions.
114
112
110
108
Energy (GJ/FTE)
Our commitment to continual improvement
Sustainability in our workplaces is a key focus of our
program as it enables all staff to participate in achieving
improvements. Workplaces include offices and depots. The
environmental footprint of our workplaces is measured in terms
of electricity, greenhouse gas emissions, water, waste and paper
use. We communicate the results of these programs to staff
every quarter.
106
104
102
100
98
96
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
57
20
Avoiding environmental damage
There was one reported environmental incident during 2008/09.
At Ararat, an air valve leaked approximately 1,000 litres of
reclaimed water onto a road which entered a stormwater pit.
The air valve was turned off and the leak was stopped. The area
was disinfected. No further action was taken.
A review of our environmental incidents reporting system has
occurred and appropriate training for all staff will to be
incorporated into the Corporate Management System.
Managing our own waste1
Our total waste generation decreased this year being well below
our target. A new system for measuring waste and recycling
was introduced this year and so comparisons with previous
years’ data cannot be made.
GWMWater was this year certified at Silver level in Sustainability
Victoria’s Waste Wise program in 2008/09.
1
Based on Corporate Offices, 135.7 FTE
16.0
Recycling
Waste
Target
300
250
12.0
kg/FTE
200
8.0
150
100
4.0
50
0
0.0
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2005/06
2008/09
10
9
114
8
112
7
No. Rheams/FTE
110
Energy (GJ/FTE)
108
106
104
6
5
4
3
102
58
100
98
2
1
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Actual
Target
250 200
16.0
8.0
Recycling
Waste
Target
300
kg/FTE
12.0
200 150
kg/FTE
250
8.0
12.0
150 100
200
4.0
4.0
kg/FTE
100
8.0
50
150
50
0.0
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Transportation
4.0
0.0 Total kilometres travelled by the fleet in 2008/09 was reduced
by2004/05
7% from 2007/08
overall average
fuel efficiency
2005/06 and2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
improved from 13.4L/100km in 2007/08 to 13.2L/100km for
2008/09, resulting in reduced energy consumption by the fleet.
0.0
2004/05
114
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
0
2005/06
100
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Paper use
0
Paper use has decreased in the last year and our target was
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
achieved.50A decrease in pamphlet and fact sheets printed for
the community in response to operational problems assisted in
achieving100this target.
Actual
2005/06
2008/09
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Target
9
10
Actual
8
112
9
110
8
108
7
114
7
104
102
110
102
5
4
108
100
3
106
98
2
100 104
96
98 102
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
1
0
96 100
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
10
6
No. Rheams/FTE
112
104
6
No. Rheams/FTE
106
Energy (GJ/FTE)
Energy (GJ/FTE)
108
114
106
No. Rheams/FTE
Energy (GJ/FTE)
112
110
Target
Actual
Target
9
5
8
4
7
3
6
2
5
1
4
0
3
2004/05
2
2004/05
2005/06
2005/06
2006/07
2006/07
2007/08
2007/08
2008/09
2008/09
1
98
Water Consumed KL/FTE
Corporate water consumption
96
20 are
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07water
2007/08
2008/09
All staff
encouraged
to minimise
use. Water
use in
workplaces was 1,311kL, which equates to 6.1kL per FTE. This
Actual
a 30% reduction from 2007/08, with 2kL of water saved
20was16
Target
per person.
16
12
8
4
0
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Actual
12
Target
20
8
Actual
16
Target
4
12
0
8
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
0
2004/05
4
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
0
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
59
CASE STUDY
Nhill integrated water plan
A draft integrated water plan has been prepared for
the township of Nhill and its surrounds. The aim of this
plan is to make the best use of the total water
resource which includes groundwater, rainwater,
wastewater, stormwater and the future drinking water
supply. The development of this plan is an agreed
course of action between the Hindmarsh Shire Council
and GWMWater and commenced in December 2008.
Nhill is an example of where an integrated planning
approach to water resource management based on the
principle of ‘fit for purpose’ can deliver environmental,
social and economic outcomes. The current town
water supply at Nhill is untreated and does not meet
with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. It is
currently unsuitable for drinking and there is a reliance
on rainwater tanks for drinking water and household
use. Nhill is the largest town in Victoria without
drinking water.
60
A community reference group was formed to assist in
determining the community’s position in respect of the
future water quality for the town supply. The group
recommended that the Nhill water supply be treated to
comply with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
GWMWater is planning that potable water supply to
meet household and industry requirements will be
provided, most likely through connection to the
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline. Rainwater tanks will
complement internal and external household use.
Stormwater contributes to delivering recreational and
environmental outcomes in Nhill Lake and Nhill
Swamp. Groundwater is utilised for gardens and
community and school recreational facilities.
Wastewater will be used for off-site centre pivot
irrigation and when the wastewater inflows improve
in quality through the provision of a drinking water
supply to Nhill, there are a range of community
and industry options for the remaining
wastewater resource.
Financial Summary
FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2004/05 to 2008/09 $ MILLION
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
31.60
33.38
31.61
32.76
36.32
Contribution revenue
2.04
2.47
6.46
4.03
1.98
Other revenue
1.24
1.34
2.86
3.40
4.78
Total revenue
34.88
37.19
40.93
40.19
43.08
Operating expenditure
25.82
25.92
27.18
27.24
26.18
0.79
1.24
1.24
1.24
1.32
13.98
17.68
34.35
30.87
30.82
-
-
-
-
11.80
Loss on sale of assets
1.18
(0.07)
0.35
0.59
1.55
Finance charges
0.16
0.21
1.13
1.20
1.50
Total expenditure
41.93
44.98
64.26
61.14
73.17
Operating surplus/(deficit)
(7.05)
(7.79)
(23.32)
(20.95)
(30.09)
8.42
12.03
63.64
147.59
14.13
Non current assets
629.77
627.20
743.70
939.31
1,142.74
Total assets
638.19
639.23
807.34
1,086.90
1,156.87
Current liabilities
3.17
8.20
33.11
34.91
37.13
Non current liabilities
6.15
3.64
15.38
17.10
36.73
Total liabilities
9.32
11.84
48.49
52.01
73.86
Net cash from operations
7.41
10.16
9.19
9.75
10.41
Operating revenue
Environmental levy
Depreciation
Channel decommissioning
provision expense
Current assets
61
Financial Performance
Performance indicator
Notes
2007/08 Result
2008/09 Result
2008/09 Target
Variance %
Long term profitability
Earnings before net interest and tax
÷ average total assets
1
(2.07%)
(2.54%)
(1.13% )
(125.07%)
Owner's investment
Net profit after tax ÷ average total
equity
1
(2.34%)
(2.84%)
(1.35%)
(110.48%)
Long term financial viability
Total debt (including finance leases)
÷ total assets
2
1.65%
3.63%
6.47%
44%
Liquidity and debt servicing
(interest cover)
Earnings before net interest and tax
expense ÷ net interest expense
3
16
15
18
(14.24%)
Immediate liquidity and debt
servicing (cash cover)
Cash flow from operations before
net interest and tax payments ÷ net
interest payments
4
(7)
(4)
15
127%
5
167
476
421
361
667
186
527
440
341
399
125
468
420
293
554
(48.23%)
(12.54%)
(4.93%)
(16.13%)
28%
Operating efficiency water
supply/wastewater collection
Operations, maintenance and
administration expenses
($/ML transported or treated)
water supply bulk
water supply reticulation
water supply treatment
sewerage reticulation
sewerage treatment
6
1. The long term profitability and owner's investment indicators
have been impacted on by the increase in the operating
deficit which is largely the result of the recognition of a
provision for channel decommissioning costs of $11.8 million.
This expenditure was not included in the Corporate Plan.
2. The long term financial viability result is favourable compared
to the target mainly due to timing of expenditure and related
borrowings for the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project. Actual
borrowings at 30 June 2009 were $31 million lower than the
Corporate Plan budget.
3. The liquidity and debt servicing indicator result has been
impacted on by the increase in the operating deficit
compared to the Corporate Plan budget.
62
4. The interest revenue arising from the cash reserves on hand
during the year for the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline gave rise to
an actual negative net interest expense. This has impacted on
the immediate liquidity and debt servicing indicator. The
target assumed that interest expense would be greater than
interest revenue as a result of increased borrowings.
5. The increase in the actual result compared to the target
is largely due to the purchase of temporary water
entitlements for the supply of water to customers serviced
from the Murray.
6. The improved result compared to the target is due to lower
than anticipated expenditure on maintenance at the Ararat
wastewater treatment plant.
Service Performance
Performance Indicator
2007/08
Result
2008/09
Target
2008/09
Result
Variance%
0
0
0
0
Average duration of unplanned water
supply interruptions
1.2 hours
1.7 hours
1.3 hours
23.53
Average duration of planned water
supply interruptions
1.7 hours
3.0 hours
1.8 hours
40.00
99.2%
97.5%
97.1%
(0.41)
61
100
63
38.00
0%
0%
0%
0
97%
95%
98.4%
3.58
Water quality complaints per 1,000
customers
1.18
1.2
3.48
(190)
Water supply reliability complaints
per 1,000 customers
0.69
2.4
0.47
80.42
Sewerage service quality and reliability
complaints per 1,000 customers
0.12
1.2
0.16
86.67
Affordability complaints per 1,000 customers
0.52
3.6
0.44
87.78
Billing complaints per 1,000 customers
4.19
6.0
2.97
50.5
Pressure complaints per 1,000 customers
0.10
0.48
0.13
72.92
Sewage odour complaints per 1,000 customers
0.08
0.12
0.20
(66.67)
Other complaints per 1,000 customers
9.26
7.2
4.84
32.78
Water supply interruptions
Number of customers receiving five
unplanned interruptions in the year
Interruption time indicators
Restoration of water supply
Unplanned water supply interruptions
restored within five hours
Reliability of sewerage collection
services indicators
Sewer spills from reticulation and
branch sewers (priority 1 and 2)
Sewage spilt from emergency relief
structures and pumping stations
(percent of volume transported)
Containment of sewer spillages
Sewerage spills contained within
three hours
Customer complaints indicators
Variance report
Improvements across the majority of performance indicators were made in 2008/09. The major exception was the number of
water quality complaints per 1,000 customers. The lower than expected result has been due to urban customers receiving
channel run water.
63
Environmental Performance
Wastewater Treatment Plant reuse performance
Wastewater quality
Target
Variance %
18.9
13.3
13.3
0
0
0
0
0
93
100
80
25
Charlton2
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
70
0
0
0
Dimboola
80.9
38.2
38.2
0
0
0
0
0
100
44
80
(45)
Donald
40.6
40.2
40.2
0
0
0
0
0
81
38
80
(52)
Edenhope
34.7
42.4
42.4
0
0
0
0
0
85
89
80
11
Halls Gap
76.6
42.8
42.8
0
0
0
0
0
93
100
80
25
Hopetoun2
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
95
0
0
0
663.4
676.9
676.9
0
0
200
200
0
96
90
80
12.5
Jeparit1
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Kaniva North1
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Kaniva South1
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Minyip2
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
96
0
0
0
Murtoa
21.4
33.5
33.5
0
0
0
0
0
93
100
80
25
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
92.1
59.4
59.4
0
0
0
0
0
85
0
0
0
Ouyen2
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
100
0
0
0
Rainbow1
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
96
0
0
0
Sea Lake
16.2
24.9
24.9
0
0
0
0
0
96
0
0
0
Serviceton1
0.0
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
St Arnaud
90.1
95.9
95.9
0
0
0
0
0
93
95
80
18.7
312.2
373.7
373.7
0
0
0
0
0
85
91
80
13.7
Warracknabeal
60.6
58.3
60.6
0
0
0
0
0
96
43
80
(46)
Willaura2
14.0
0
14.0
0
0
0
0
0
94
100
80
25
Wycheproof
12.3
39.6
39.6
0
0
0
0
0
81
100
80
25
1,973.2
1,939
1,939
0
0
3,038
3,0383
0
83
84
80
5
Horsham
Natimuk1
Nhill
Stawell
Total
1
2008/09
Birchip
Result
25
2008/09
80
Result
Variance %
100
2007/08
Target
96
2008/09
0
Result
2838
2008/09
2838
Result
0
2007/08
0
2008/09
400
Result
400
2008/09
439.2
Result
Ararat
Town
2007/08
Variance %
Biosolids dry mass tonnes
Target
Effluent reuse volume4 ML
Number of analyses complying
with licence agreements as %
of samples.
Treatment is based on evaporation and therefore no reuse occurs at these towns
Storages are currently filling following commissioning in recent years. Therefore no effluent has been produced.
3
There is currently 6,786 dry tonnes stockpiled at nine sites. These stockpiles have been present for over three years. 200 tonnes was used from this supply.
2
64
Variance report
GWMWater’s wastewater treatment plants do not have processes for the removal of nutrients. It is therefore expected that licence
limits for total nitrogen and phosphorous will be exceeded from time to time. The limits were based on historical data, not receiving
water targets.
Winter storages at the wastewater treatment plants are prone to algal blooms due to the high nutrient levels, low rainfall and
relatively high temperatures. This in turn results in high pH levels and subsequent failure to meet licence requirements.
Such non-compliances pose no significant risk to the environment. The discharge from the treatment plants is not directed to
waterways. The treated wastewater is applied to land which benefits from the nutrients when applied at appropriate rates.
During 2008/09 GWMWater implemented a single Corporate Licence with the Environment Protection Authority which
incorporates all wastewater treatment plants, replacing 25 individual site licences.
65
Performance Statement For 2008/09
In our opinion, the accompanying Financial, Service and Environmental
Statements of Performance of Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation
(trading as GWMWater) in respect of 2008/09 financial year is presented fairly in
accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994.
The statement outlines the relevant performance indicators as determined by
the responsible Minister, the actual results achieved for the financial year against
pre-determined performance targets and these indicators, and an explanation
of any significant variance between the actual results and performance targets.
At the date of signing, we are not aware of any circumstances which would
render any particulars in the Statement to be misleading or inaccurate.
Barry Clugston
Chairperson
Jeff Rigby
Managing Director
Dated this 16th day of September 2009
66
67
68
Core
Global Reporting Initiative Index
Additional
Description
Page No.
Section
Sub-section
1.1
Statement from the most senior decision-maker of
the organization about the relevance of sustainability
to the organization and its strategy.
4
Message from the
Chairman and the
Managing Director
1.2
Description of key impacts, risks, and opportunities.
Not reported
2.1
Name of the organization.
Inside front cover
2.2
Primary products, and/or services.
8
About GWMWater
What we do
2.3
Operational structure of the organization.
17
How we operate
What we look like
2.4
Location of organization's headquarters.
Inside back
cover
2.5
Number of countries where the organization operates.
9
About GWMWater
GWMWater
operational area
2.6
Nature of ownership and legal form.
8
About GWMWater
Who are we
2.7
Markets served (including geographic breakdown,
sectors served, and types of customers/beneficiaries).
8
About GWMWater
What we do
2.8
Scale of the reporting organization:
- Number of employees
33, 35
Our employees
Our workforce a
snapshot
- Net Sales
- Total capitalization broken down in terms of debt
and equity
- Quality of products or services provided
61
85
Financial Summary
Notes to financial statements
18
How we operate
Managing our risks
Managing our
quality systems
2.9
Significant changes during the reporting period
regarding size, structure, or ownership.
8
About GWMWater
Who are we
What we do
2.1
Awards received in the reporting period.
49
Case Study: Tidy Towns Award
3.1
Reporting period (e.g. fiscal/calendar year) for
information provided.
Front Cover
3.2
Date of most recent previous report (if any).
Inside front
cover
3.3
Reporting cycle (annual, biennial, etc.)
Front Cover
3.4
Contact point for questions regarding the report or its
contents.
Back Cover
3.5
Process for defining report content.
103
Disclosure index
3.6
Boundary of the report (e.g. countries, divisions,
subsidiaries, leased facilities, joint ventures, suppliers).
See GRI Boundary Protocol for further guidance.
8
About GWMWater
3.7
State any specific limitations on the scope or boundary
of the report (see completeness principle for
explanation of scope). I
NA 08/09
3.8
Basis for reporting on joint ventures, subsidiaries,
leased facilities, outsourced operations, and other
entities that can significantly affect comparability from
period to period and/or between organizations.
NA 08/09
Who are we
105
Core
Additional
Description
Page No.
Section
3.9
Data measurement techniques and the bases of
calculations, including assumptions and techniques
underlying estimations applied to the compilation of
the Indicators and other information in the report.
Explain any decisions not to apply, or to substantially
diverge from, the GRI Indicator Protocols.
3.10
Explanation of the effect of any re-statements of
NA 08/09
information provided in earlier reports, and the reasons
for such re-statement (e.g.mergers/acquisitions,
change of base years/periods, nature of business,
measurement methods).
3.11
Significant changes from previous reporting periods in
the scope, boundary, or measurement methods
applied in the report.
NA 08/09
3.12
Table identifying the location of the Standard
Disclosures in the report.
105
GRI Index
3.13
Policy and current practice with regard to seeking
external assurance for the report.
101
Auditors Report
4.1
Governance structure of the organization, including
committees under the highest governance body
responsible for specific tasks, such as setting strategy
or organizational oversight.
12
Our Board & Executive
Management Team
4.2
Indicate whether the Chair of the highest governance
body is also an executive officer.
12
Management Team
4.3
For organizations that have a unitary board structure,
state the number of members of the highest
governance body that are independent and/or
non-executive members.
12
Management Team
4.4
Mechanisms for shareholders and employees to
provide recommendations or direction to the highest
governance body.
4.5
Linkage between compensation for members of the
highest governance body, senior managers, and
executives (including departure arrangements), and
the organization's performance (including social and
environmental performance).
4.6
Processes in place for the highest governance body to
ensure conflicts of interest are avoided.
Not Reported
4.7
Process for determining the qualifications and expertise 12
of the members of the highest governance body for
guiding the organization's strategy on economic,
environmental, and social topics.
Management Team
4.8
Internally developed statements of mission or values,
codes of conduct, and principles relevant to economic,
environmental, and social performance and the status
of their implementation.
4.9
Procedures of the highest governance body for
14
overseeing the organization's identification and
management of economic, environmental, and social
performance, including relevant risks and opportunities,
and adherence or compliance with internationally
agreed standards, codes of conduct, and principles.
106
Sub-section
Throughout report as required
14
Management Team
Standing
Committees of
the Board
Inside front
cover
Management Team
Standing
Committees of
the Board
Core
Additional
Description
Page No.
Section
Sub-section
4.10
Processes for evaluating the highest governance
body's own performance, particularly with respect to
economic, environmental, and social performance.
14
Management Team
Table: No. of
meetings attended
4.11
Explanation of whether and how the precautionary
approach or principle is addressed by the organization.
4.12
Externally developed economic, environmental, and
social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which
the organization subscribes or endorses.
4.13
Memberships in associations (such as industry
associations) and/or national/international advocacy
organizations in which the organization:
* Has positions in governance bodies; * Participates
in projects or committees; * Provides substantive
funding beyond routine membership dues; or * Views
membership as strategic.
4.14
List of stakeholder groups engaged by the organization.
4.15
Basis for identification and selection of stakeholders
with whom to engage.
4.16
Approaches to stakeholder engagement, including
frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder
group.
42
Customer and
engagement
committees
4.17
Key topics and concerns that have been raised through
stakeholder engagement, and how the organization
has responded to those key topics and concerns,
including through its reporting.
42
Customer and
engagement
committees
DMA EC
Disclosure on Management Approach EC
Not reported
DMA EN
Disclosure on Management Approach EN
Not reported
DMA LA
Disclosure on Management Approach LA
Not reported
DMA HR
Disclosure on Management Approach HR
Not reported
DMA SO
Disclosure on Management Approach SO
Not reported
DMA PR
Disclosure on Management Approach PR
Not reported
EC1
Direct economic value generated and distributed,
including revenues, operating costs, employee
compensation, donations and other community
investments, retained earnings, and payments to
capital providers and governments.
61
Financial Summary
EC2
Financial implications and other risks and opportunities
for the organization's activities due to climate change.
54
EC3
Coverage of the organization's defined benefit
plan obligations.
EC4
Significant financial assistance received from
government.
EC6
Policy, practices, and proportion of spending on
locally-based suppliers at significant locations of
operation.
Not reported
EC7
Procedures for local hiring and proportion of senior
management hired from the local community at
significant locations of operation.
Not reported
Not reported
50
Not reported
42
Listening to our
stakeholders
Not reported
Not reported
61
Financial summary
107
Core
Additional
Description
Page No.
Section
Sub-section
EC8
Development and impact of infrastructure investments 20
and services provided primarily for public benefit
through commercial, in-kind, or pro bono engagement.
Our services
EN1
Materials used by weight or volume.
EN2
Percentage of materials used that are recycled
input materials.
EN3
Direct energy consumption by primary energy source.
57
Our corporate
environmental
sustainability
EN4
Indirect energy consumption by primary source.
57
Our corporate
environmental
sustainability
EN6
Initiatives to provide energy-efficient or renewable
energy based products and services, and reductions in
energy requirements as a result of these initiatives.
57
Our corporate
environmental
sustainability
EN7
Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption and
reductions achieved.
57
Our corporate
environmental
sustainability
Total water withdrawal by source.
28
Our services
Bulk entitlements
EN8
EN9
Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal
of water.
EN10
Percentage and total volume of water recycled and
reused.
57
Our corporate
environmental
sustainability
Not reported
Not reported
20
Our services
EN11
Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in,
or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high
biodiversity value outside protected areas.
Not reported
EN12
Description of significant impacts of activities, products,
and services on biodiversity in protected areas and
areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas.
Not reported
EN13
Habitats protected or restored.
Not reported
EN14
Strategies, current actions, and future plans for
managing impacts on biodiversity.
EN15
Number of IUCN Red List species and national
conservation list species with habitats in areas affected
by operations, by level of extinction risk.
54
Reclaimed water
Table: Water
conservation
activities
Not reported
EN16
Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions
by weight.
57
Energy use &
greenhouse gas
emissions
EN17
Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions
by weight.
57
Energy use &
greenhouse gas
emissions
Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
reductions achieved.
57
Energy use &
greenhouse gas
emissions
EN18
108
Core
Description
Page No.
EN19
Emissions of ozone-depleting substances by weight.
NA 08/09
EN20
NOx, SOx, and other significant air emissions by type
and weight.
NA 08/09
EN21
Total water discharge by quality and destination.
EN22
EN23
EN26
Additional
Section
Sub-section
57
Our corporate environmental
sustainability
Corporate water
consumption
Total weight of waste by type and disposal method.
58
sustainability
Managing our own
waste
Total number and volume of significant spills.
58
sustainability
Avoiding
environmental
damage
EN24
Weight of transported, imported, exported, or treated
waste deemed hazardous under the terms of the Basel
Convention Annex I, II, III, and VIII, and percentage of
transported waste shipped internationally.
NA 08/09
EN25
Identity, size, protected status, and biodiversity value
of water bodies and related habitats significantly
affected by the reporting organization's discharges of
water and runoff.
NA 08/09
Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts of
products and services, and extent of impact mitigation.
EN27
Percentage of products sold and their packaging
materials that are reclaimed by category.
21
Our services
Table: Consumption
2008/09
EN28
Monetary value of significant fines and total number
of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with
environmental laws and regulations.
LA1
Total workforce by employment type, employment
contract, and region.
LA2
Total number and rate of employee turnover by age
group, gender, and region.
Not reported
LA4
Percentage of employees covered by collective
bargaining agreements.
Not reported
LA5
Minimum notice period(s) regarding significant
operational changes, including whether it is specified
in collective agreements.
Not reported
LA7
Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and
absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities
by region.
38
Our employees
Occupational Health
and Safety
LA8
Education, training, counseling, prevention, and
risk-control programs in place to assist workforce
members, their families, or community members
regarding serious diseases.
37
Our employees
Supporting our
employees to
achieve
LA10
Average hours of training per year per employee by
employee category.
37
Our employees
Investment in
training
LA13
Composition of governance bodies and breakdown
of employees per category according to gender, age
group, minority group membership, and other
indicators of diversity.
33
Our employees
Our workforce a
snapshot
LA14
Ratio of basic salary of men to women by employee
category.
None received
33
Our employees
Our workforce a
snapshot
Not reported
109
Core
Additional
Description
Page No.
HR1
Percentage and total number of significant investment
agreements that include human rights clauses or that
have undergone human rights screening.
NA 08/09
HR2
Percentage of significant suppliers and contractors
that have undergone screening on human rights and
actions taken.
NA 08/09
HR4
Total number of incidents of discrimination and
actions taken.
NA 08/09
HR5
Operations identified in which the right to exercise
freedom of association and collective bargaining may
be at significant risk, and actions taken to support
these rights.
NA 08/09
HR6
Operations identified as having significant risk for
incidents of child labor, and measures taken to
contribute to the elimination of child labor.
NA 08/09
HR7
Operations identified as having significant risk for
incidents of forced or compulsory labor, and measures
to contribute to the elimination of forced or
compulsory labor.
NA 08/09
SO1
Nature, scope, and effectiveness of any programs and
practices that assess and manage the impacts of
operations on communities, including entering,
operating, and exiting.
42
SO2
Percentage and total number of business units
analyzed for risks related to corruption.
Not reported
SO3
Percentage of employees trained in organization's
anti-corruption policies and procedures.
Not reported
SO4
Actions taken in response to incidents of corruption.
Not reported
SO5
Public policy positions and participation in public
policy development and lobbying.
Not reported
SO8
Monetary value of significant fines and total number
of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with
laws and regulations.
No incidents reported
PR1
Life cycle stages in which health and safety impacts
of products and services are assessed for improvement,
and percentage of significant products and services
categories subject to such procedures.
Not reported
Total number of incidents of non-compliance with
regulations and voluntary codes concerning health and
safety impacts of products and services during their life
cycle, by type of outcomes.
Not reported
PR3
Type of product and service information required by
procedures, and percentage of significant products and
services subject to such information requirements.
Not reported
PR6
Programs for adherence to laws, standards, and
voluntary codes related to marketing communications,
including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
Not considered material
PR9
Monetary value of significant fines for non-compliance
with laws and regulations concerning the provision and
use of products and services.
No incidents reported
PR2
110
Section
Sub-section
Listening to our
stakeholders
Global Reporting Initiative Application Level Table
GRI criteria used by GWMWater to declare our Sustainability Report as Level C.
G3 performance
indicators & sector
supplement
performance
indicators
Output
Output
Report on a minimum
of 10 performance
indicators, including at
least one from each of:
economic, social, and
environment.
B+
Management approach
disclosures for each
indicator category
Report on a minimum
of 20 performance
indicators, at least one
from each of:
economic,
environmental, human
rights, labor, society,
product responsibility
A
A+
Same requirement for
level B
Report on all criteria
listed for level C plus:
1.2
3.9 - 3.13
4.5 - 4.13, 4.16 - 4.17
Report on
1.1
2.1 - 2.10
3.1 - 3.8, 3.10 - 3.12
4.1 - 4.4, 4.14 - 4.15
Not required
B
Management approach
disclosed for each
indicator category
Report Externally Assured
G3 management
approach
disclosures
Output
C+
Standard Disclosures
G3 profile
disclosures
C
Report Application Level
Report on each core
G3 and sector
supplement* indicator
with due regard to the
materiality principle by
either A: reporting on
the indicator or B:
explaining the reason for
it’s omission
* sector supplement in final version
111

Untitled - GWMWater

Transcription

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