E-NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

Message from the Secretary - Charlotte Beresford
Welcome to the December edition of the Outlet, with a mix of excitement for a much needed break and possibly some trepidation as we look at the task list to get us there. Either way, the holidays will arrive and I personally will be making my way to the Woodford Folk Festival to enjoy a week of music, community and probably some dedicated time in gumboots.

To help round out the year, we’re inviting our members to an end of year celebration on Tuesday 13 December and it would be great to see you there! If you’ve missed the invite, search for an email from ‘office@stormwatervictoria.com.au’.

If you’re not yet a member but would like to join, download an application from our website..

As Jessica mentioned in the last edition, we’re off to a flying start with the new Stormwater Committee. A very engaged and talented bunch of Stormies are leading a range of initiatives to support our industry.

This includes the upcoming conference – Driving Change and Embracing the Challenges­ – with a call for abstracts soon to close and an exciting line up of key note speakers taking shape. Our advocacy team has finalised a position paper, on behalf of our members, in response to the Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol, otherwise known as SQIDEP.

Lastly, our comms and technical events team has been planning a 3 part technical series to support the transition to flow targets – this is something that our members asked for at the June conference and we’re partnering across industry to deliver on this commitment early next year. All the best for a safe and enjoyable break!
Spreading the Word on Integrated Water Management
Integrated Water Management (IWM) improves the way we manage water in Victoria, putting water security, liveability and the health of waterways at the heart of decision-making. Supported by the IWM Forums, there has been a significant focus in recent years on implementing IWM across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Now a new video, developed in partnership between DELWP and Clearwater, helps to explain how IWM can further improve how we manage water in and around our towns and cities. The animated video aims to inform industry and the public about the benefits of an IWM approach. The video was recently showcased at the Water drinks on 17 October 2022, hosted by Clearwater/Stormwater Victoria, and is being widely promoted by the water industry and receiving accolades for its translation of technical content into clear, relatable messaging. The IWM video’s release coincided with the announcement of the latest round of recipients of DELWP’s $14.1 million IWM grants program.

Since 2018 the Victorian Government has provided $65 million in funding for 165 priority IWM projects across the state that will improve regional water security, enhance waterway and landscape health, and build greater community connections to the environment. 
To view the IWM video and to find further information on IWM go to DELWP’s Integrated Water Management Program webpage. The video can also be found on Clearwater’s webpage: New Integrated Water Management Video (clearwatervic.com.au)

We encourage all water industry practitioners across Victoria to share and use this video resource with stakeholders to communicate the many benefits of an IWM approach.

2023 Stormwater Victoria Conference - Call for Abstracts Extended until 5th December
Due to an overwhelming number of requests, the Conference Sub Committee has decided to extend abstract submissions for the 2023 Stormwater Victoria Conference until midnight on Monday, 5th December.

To submit your abstract, visit the Conference Website at www.svconference.com.au or click on the submission link here.

This is a great opportunity to be a part of the Conference to be held in Ballarat in June 2023. Don't delay - submit before midnight on Monday.
Stormwater Victoria SQIDEP Position Paper
Stormwater Victoria recognises the Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol (SQIDEP), developed by Stormwater Australia, as an important step in the industry towards achieving our collective and shared goals of improving stormwater quality for receiving waterways.

The need for a clear framework and criteria is essential to providing guidance to the industry on how to determine the performance of proprietary treatment products, as well as ongoing monitoring, evaluation and modelling requirements for these systems.

In acknowledgement of the importance of this issue to our members, SV has developed a Position Paper which can be found here.

In line with our commitment to provide a voice to our members on key issues, SV
has engaged with industry and our membership to share the progress and seek feedback on the SQIDEP and in turn understand how our members see this protocol being implemented, and any challenges, issues or limitations to do so effectively. The Position Paper provides details of this engagement undertaken with our membership, and the culmination of the work and consideration of SQIDEP over the past years.

We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Stormwater Australia in improving the SQIDEP framework to ensure a fair, robust and accountable protocol for the industry to benefit from into the future.
Clearwater & Stormwater Victoria October Water Drinks!

Clearwater and SV hosted our first major face to face networking event at the Flagstaff Gardens Bowls Club, where we had impressive presentations from Clearwater and DELWP on the Integrated Water Management Program.

Thank you to Tania Struzina of Clearwater for hosting and presenting, Mandy Bolton of DELWP for your presentation and special thanks to Zubin Irani our honorary SV Quiz Master who kept us on our toes and thank you, last but not least, to all the Stormies who ventured out on a Monday. It was great to meet and see everyone face to face.

We have our end of year Stormwater Victoria Drinks coming up on the 13th of December so come join us for our free event to see out the year!
Upcoming Events
Webinar: Buying Time for Coral Reefs
Host: Australian Water School
Date: Wednesday, 7 December 2022
Time: 10.00 am - 11.00 am
Location: Online
Details: Panel discussion about buying time with local and global solutions to prevent the loss of Coral Reef systems. How can we protect and preserve coral reefs from sediment/pollution from local waterways and from global climate change?

Stormwater Victoria End of Year Drinks
Host: Stormwater Victoria
Date: Tuesday, 13 December 2022
Time: 5.00 pm - 7.30 pm
Location: The Wharf Hotel, Southbank
Details: Come celebrate the end of the year with Stormwater VIC!

Webinar: Flood Modelling 101
Host: Australian Water Association
Date: Wednesday, 15 February 2023
Time: 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Location: Online
Details: New to the industry or want to understand the essentials of modelling floods? This webinar provides a concise introduction.

AWA VIC Mentoring Program & Breakfast Launch
Host: Australian Water Association
Date: Thursday, 24 February 2023
Time: 7.30 am - 9.00 am
Location: Level 22, 570 Bourke Street Melbourne
Details: The AWA's Victorian Mentoring Program enables dedicated and enthusiastic early-career water professionals to develop their skills, knowledge, and technical expertise under the guidance of established water sector colleagues.
For mentors, it's an opportunity to share their hard-earned knowledge with the next generation of water leaders and continue to develop their leadership and communication skills.

Webinar: Water Quality Modelling - Part 2
Host: Australian Water School
Date: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
Time: 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Location: Online
Details: Modelling the environmental fate and transport of pathogens

Stormwater Victoria Conference
Host: Stormwater Victoria
Date: 6 June – 8 June 2023
Location: Ballarat, Victoria
Details: The 2023 Stormwater Victoria Conference is set to take place in Ballarat with the four conference themes including:
  • Inspiring a shared vision
  • Innovation and crossing boundaries
  • Fostering collaboration and building trust
  • Taking action and celebrating successes
Stormwater Victoria Corporate Sponsorship Prospectus
 
Are you interested in becoming a corporate sponsor? Stormwater Victoria has over 229 members and our mailing list and social media connections extends to well over 3,500!

We reach:

-     All levels of government across a breadth of disciplines
-     Civil and consulting engineers
-     Surveyors and urban planners
-     Academics and students
-     Manufacturers and suppliers
 
Sponsorship packages have been designed to provide flexible options and maximum exposure to our membership and industry stakeholders. Whether you want to sponsor one of our webinars, our newsletter or our upcoming conference, there are several packages to choose from.
Stormwater Victoria Major Sponsor: