WATER INDUSTRY OPERATIONS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (WIOA)
2024 Success Report
Highlights from WIOA’s 51st year of operations.
Our Members
4,250 MEMBERS across our three membership tiers
NEW MEMBERS PORTAL launched in early 2024
NEW WEBSITE launched in September 2024
20+ AWARDS throughout Australia in 2024
7
MAIN TAPPING COMPETITIONS held throughout Australia in 2024
Water Cooler Group
WIOA FACEBOOK
The WIOA Facebook – Water Cooler page is an initiative for WIOA members. Designed to connect the water industry operations sector together nationally. This initiative has been up and running for almost 12 months now, consisting of over 70 WIOA Individual, Utility Corporate and Corporate Members. This has been a great tool supporting our frontline water industry operational staff with their technical questions, sharing of ideas and solutions, and some funny stories along the way. Members can join this network here
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BEST TASTING TAPWATER COMPETITIONS held throughout Australia in 2024
Our Events
3 CONFERENCES HELD (SA conference postponed)
2,797 TOTAL ATTENDEES at WIOA conferences in 2024
970 TOTAL EXHIBITORS at WIOA conferences in 2024
16
INTEREST DAYS
HELD including our first in Western Australia and Northern Territory
Bendigo, VIC
The 2024 WIOA VIC Water Operations Industry Conference and Exhibition was held in Bendigo Victoria in February this year. With 18 Operations-focused presentations and 5 Poster presentations, the conference offered valuable insights into industry trends and challenges. Attendees delved into discussions covering a wide array of topics, from diversity and inclusion in the water sector to water and wastewater treatment processes, operational monitoring software, and training.
18
TRAINING SEMINARS DELIVERED for our practical guides
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Our 2024 QLD Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition was held in late July at the University of Southern Queensland. Our key event highlights included, keynote presentations, delivery of operationally focused Paper and Poster Presentation, a exhibition hall of over 115 sites, the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water – Water of Origin Competition, meet the Exhibitors dinner, Women of Water Breakfast, our Main Tapping Competition and the 2024 WIOA QLD Awards Gala Dinner.
$6,000 RAISED FOR CHARITY across WIOA events in 2024
Tamworth, NSW
Held in November, our 2024 NSW Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition included operator-led presentations, an exhibition hall featuring over 130 sites, the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water Competition, the highly anticipated Mains Tapping Competition, and networking events like the prestigious Awards Dinner. The event underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing industry challenges and highlighted the dedication of professionals working to ensure sustainable water management.
2024 Interest Days
WIOA Interest Days are designed for a more intimate setting of between 25 – 50 attendees, sharing information via presentations and demonstrations, followed by a site tour. We have been busy nationally with our Interest Day program. Since our last edition of Operator and have run the following Interest Days:
South Australia
In June 2024, we had some thought-provoking presentations, followed by the fiercely contested IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in South Australia. We received 22 entries and the winner, going back-to-back, was BHP Olympic Dam Desalination Plant. Thanks to our WIOA South Australian Advisory Committee, SA Water for hosting us, Service Stream as our lunch Sponsor and ProMinent Fluid Controls Pty Ltd Australia as our Interest Day Partner.
Melbourne, Victoria
In August 2024, we ran our Interest Day at Greater Western Water’s Training Academy. The presentations consisted of an update on WIOA’s Network Operator Development Program (NODP) Victoria, Victoria’s state-based approach to the water industry training needs, and Greater Western Water’s Nanobubble Trial.
Balcatta, Western Australia
In June 2024, we held our first WIOA Interest Day at the Water Corporations Balcatta office, with almost 50 in attendance from the Water Corporation, AqWest, Busselton Water, Rio Tinto, Trility and many other organisations. Congratulations to our newly formed WIOA Western Australian Advisory Committee for arranging your first and successful event, while supporting WIOA in the West.
Emerald, Queensland
In June 2024, we were out at Central Highlands Regional Council in Emerald, QLD where we had some information sharing via the presentation program followed by a site tour.
16
INTEREST DAYS HOSTED IN 2024
First year in WA and NT
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Congratulations to our WIOA Queensland Advisory Committee on another successful QLD Charity Interest Day. Funds raised will go to supporting the WIOA Team’s WaterAid Australia Walk for Water.
Devonport, Tasmania
On Tuesday 24th September, WIOA held their first Super Interest Day in Devonport, Tasmania. This event was attended by over 80 water industry personnel in the Devenport area, which included presentations, a site tour, Main Tapping Competition and the state’s Best Tasting Tap Water Competition for Tasmania.
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SUPER INTEREST DAYS held in SA, TAS & WA
Quakers Hill, New South Wales
In NSW we were at Sydney Water’s Purified Recycled Water (PRW) Discovery Centre in Quakers Hill. With 50 members in attendance the day offered attendees the opportunity to understand the PRW treatment technology, while networking and sharing ideas and learnings.
East Perth, Western Australia
On Wednesday 2nd October, WIOA held its second Interest Day in Perth, at the North Metropolitan Tafe in East Perth. Around 50 water industry personnel came together to view great presentations, WA’s Best Tasting Tap Water Competition as well as the inaugural Main Tapping Competition.
Community & Communication
3 OPERATOR MAGAZINES published in May, October & December
70 WATERCOOLER MEMBERS
Group connecting likeminded colleagues in the Water Industry
20 ENEWSLETTERS SENT A monthly edition of WIOA Words and 8 Event Round Ups
2 WATERWORKS JOURNALS published in January & November
5,569 LINKEDIN FOLLOWERS
800 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS
Development opportunities
You WIOA membership forms a community of front-line water industry operational employees, broader water industry employees and service providers.
Have you ever thought of your WIOA membership being a development opportunity.
While you bring your individual and corporate knowledge and experience to the WIOA community, your membership also provides you with a state based and national opportunity.
Our State/Territory Advisory Committees provide us with a focus on the particular needs and activities within their State/ Territory.
These Committees will assist WIOA to undertake a range of functions including, but not limited to, the following:
• Identifying the types, range and scope of services and events considered appropriate for water industry operational staff in their State/Territory
• Assisting with the organisation, promotion and staging of events
• Providing information with a State-based flavour for inclusion in WIOA publications
• Encouraging participation and knowledge sharing with water industry-related personnel who are employed in both the private and public sector organisations
• Informing WIOA of training and development issues and needs specific to water industry operational staff
Our newly formed National Advisory Committee focuses on:
• Provide industry knowledge and expertise
• Represent WIOA on external committees
• Technical resource development
• Editorial support i.e., Practical Guides
• Assist WIOA engagement with other industries i.e., mining, hospitality,
• Support and develop a process for Disaster Recovery / Emergency Response
While our Board is focused on:
• Strategy
• Policy
• Governance
All of these groups consisting of WIOA members. Learn more about our people here
We are also offering a range of groups/networks for 2025.
They consist of our:
• Women in Water Operations Network – designed to connect our female operations staff
• Executive General Manager Operations Network –connected the strategic component of operations across the country
• Diversity & Inclusion Group – workshopping ideas so that WIOA continually enhances our consideration and reasonable adjustments and inclusiveness for all to be involved in the WIOA community
Membership value
Your WIOA membership provides you with this exclusive value:
WIOA Merchandise
Monthly e-newsletter (WIOA Words)
Article submission opportunitiesOperator magazine (free for utilities) & WaterWorks Journal
Job opportunities - Explore and list positions vacant and wanted
Resource library - operator materials, conference papers and publications
Closed Facebook group- a members page for discussions, troubleshooting and networking
Exhibitor priority options
Discounted registrations for Conferences and technical seminars
Free registrations for Interest Days, Webinars and Charity events
Participations in our operator placement program
Participate in (Win and Nominate) exclusive awards. Prize opportunities for interstate and international trips
Opportunity to join WIOA State Advisory Committees or Diversity and Inclusion Group
Professional Development opportunities
Life Member Recognition
Awards & Recognition
National Awards 1. KWATYE Award 2. Team of the Year Award
PASS Award 4. Best Tasting Tap Water Award
5. Main Tapping Competition Award
State Awards
1. Young Operator of the Year 2. Operator of the Year 3. Best Paper by an Operator 4. Best Paper Overall 5. Best Poster by an Operator 6. Best Exhibition Site Award
