awa news • Environmental allocations are treated the same as consumption or irrigation, but they are fundamentally different and should be treated differently. These differences need to be explored in each region and any means to improve flexibility identified. • What science should we be doing now to answer the questions of the future? What are the questions managers really need answered? Are they different to what some scientists think they are? How do we change this? • We may need to re-educate ourselves in terms of understanding people and their motivations. There is a need to speak plainly in ways others can understand. The session participants were also asked how the Environmental Water Management Specialist Network might help deal with some of these issues. Suggestions included: • Advocate for legislation flexibility and make a case for why environmental allocations should be regarded differently to consumptive licenses; • Be a forum for mentoring and information; • Find a forum to bring Basin Plan scientists together with managers to show how the data was derived, and discuss; • Find training courses in communication (e.g. media training) where complex issues can be synthesised and explained. The Environmental Water Management Specialist Network committee will consider these points when deciding on activities to be included in their Action Plan. For more information on the workshop or any aspect of this network’s activities, please contact Laura Evanson on (02) 9467 8433 or email: levanson@awa.asn.au
ANZBP Workshops The Advisory Board of the Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership (ANZBP) held a meeting in Canberra in October. The event saw the group farewelling longstanding members Dr Mike Mclaughlin (CSIRO) and Mike Makestas (SA Water). As foundation committee members, their contribution during the establishment of the ANZBP and their ongoing support and advice is greatly appreciated. The meeting welcomed incoming representatives Dr Bill Barber (AECOM) and Dr Rai Kookana (CSIRO), each of whom has extensive experience both locally and internationally in a variety of biosolids managements fields. The event was well attended, with the group being privileged to hear from new Board member Bill Barber. Bill’s background in the UK water sector provided some fascinating contrasts to Australian experiences and his knowledge of wastewater management and climate change impacts made for topical discussion. Tung Nguyen of Sydney Water presented the biosolids management strategy for Sydney and the surrounding area, providing the group with insight to the multi-layered issues that need to be addressed in such a strategy and the detail in managing risk effectively.
on efficient management of lagoons and presented potential alternative biosolids management methods for the future. Led by Board Member Paul Darvodelsky, the relaxed event generated much discussion and provided attendees the opportunity to hear from each other and learn about each other’s activities. Plans are being made to hold 2012 workshops in Geelong, the Gold Coast and Wellington (NZ). If you would like to engage your stakeholders in a discussion on biosolids management, consider the opportunity to host a workshop in your location. Please contact the Project Manager (details below). The ANZBP is a subscription based program formed in 2007 by the Australian water sector to place the beneficial use of biosolids on a sustainable footing across Australia and New Zealand. The ANZBP resides within AWA, which implements the program and its associated activities. Membership enquiries are welcome and can be directed to Gregory Priest at AWA’s National Office: gpriest@awa.asn.au or (02) 9467 8432.
Online Document Library and RSS Feed Launched AWA has launched its much-awaited online document library. The library is designed to contain technical articles from Water Journal, conference reports and other documents of interest. Documents will be regularly added as the library continues to grow into a valuable and accessible information resource. Access to the AWA online library, which is located under the Publications tag on the AWA website (www.awa.asn.au) is a membership benefit, meaning it is free to AWA members; non-members can submit requests for copies of specific documents for a small fee. To keep you abreast of all the latest industry news, you can also sign up to the AWA RSS feed. News from the water sector and related industries is gathered every morning from the most reliable media resources and sent to your inbox or live bookmarks. Simply sign up from AWA’s homepage at: www.awa.asn.au and never miss an important news item again.
Tasmania Branch News AWA Tasmania 2011 Galah Debate The 2011 Galah Debate was held on 22 September at Wrest Point in Hobart. Guests took time to enjoy the food, company and collegiality this annual event brings. The event is now firmly entrenched in the Tasmanian calendar and is looked forward to by corporate partners, guests and the debate teams. The Southern Debate Team, captained by Aniela Grun with debaters Phil Gee, Lance Stapleton and Elspeth Moroni, worked hard to retain the trophy but the Northern Team, led by vicecaptain Ed Gruber, won the day. Seasoned debater Ray Wright, supported by James McKee and Chris Thompson, won over the audience with their compelling arguments and innovative props.
The group also heard from local Chris Hepplewhite, who described the biosolids management process for Canberra, explaining how thermal destruction (incineration and soil application of ash product) is, despite general perception, the most appropriate method for ACTEW Corporation to treat and reuse biosolids. An ANZBP workshop in Darwin in November was similarly well attended, with Power and Water Corporation employees from both Darwin and regional areas making up the majority of attendees. With the Northern Territory predominantly relying on lagoon systems to treat and manage biosolids, the session focused
30 DECEMBER 2011 water
The winning team (at left) display their award.
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