Insights from water innovations forum

Central Highlands Regional Council water operations will benefit from insights gained at the 2018 Queensland Water Regional Communities Innovations Program.

Water and utilities engineer Cliff Caton received one of three scholarships to attend the five-day program in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

Council’s CEO Scott Mason said the program is an opportunity to learn from and network with water infrastructure teams in the south-east of the state.

‘We’ve had staff from our water operation gain scholarships for the program for two years now,’ he said.

‘They return with insights on innovative technology that’s been used and tested, and they feel motivated to share that knowledge with their colleagues and council.’

Mr Caton said he’s looking forward to finding ways to put ideas and innovation into practice.

‘The tour really gave me an opportunity to observe new technologies at work and get an understanding what resources are required,’ he said.

‘It also showed me that we’re [Central Highlands] on track with current developments, when we inspected an irrigation field similar to the one recently completed in Blackwater.

‘With long-term planning and improved access to resources and networks, I see an opportunity to integrate new technologies that will help extend the life of, and improve, our water treatment operations at the same time.

‘With new technologies there’ll also be a need for water treatment operators to upskill and that’s another positive for other staff.’

The Queensland Water Regional Communities Innovations Program was established by the Queensland Water Directorate (qldwater) in 2017 to address urban water and sewerage challenges facing small and remote communities. Funding for the scholarship stems from the vendor pitch sessions qldwater’s annual forum that aim to introduce new technologies and manufacturing contracts to water suppliers. Central Highlands Regional Council has participated in the program both years.