AWA: 2011 Review and Strategic Directions 2012 Tom Mollenkopf Chief Executive, Australian Water Association

1. AWA: 2011 Review and Strategic Directions 2012Tom MollenkopfChief Executive, Australian Water Association WSAA Members MeetingShepparton, February, 2012

2. Who we are and What we do • Mission: Foster the sustainable management of Water – its science, practice and management – through: • advocacy • collaboration, and • professional development • Vision: The essential association for professionals and organisations working together to create a sustainable water future • AWA provides services and benefits – but equally, if not more importantly – we provide a fertile environment for water professionals to come together to meet, grow, develop and contribute

3. Membership Individual members 4,900+ Corporate members 600+ Total members 5,500+ Representing A sector employing 50,000+ individuals

4. The AWA Constituency and growth dimensions

5. Utilities People/Companies who contract toUtilities People/Companies who supply to Peopledirectly employed inUtilities WSAA Members AWA and WSAA Membership in context • In the traditional urban water sector, AWA’s value proposition is in bringing together utilities – and those who work within them – with the people and organisations who work with them: • Private Sector Service Providers, Contractors, Constructors, Researchers, Consultants, Regulators

6. Advocacy • Submissions in 2011 included • Productivity Commission’s Issue Paper on Microeconomic reform in the urban water sector.. • Federal government discussion paper “Our Cities” (the future form of Australia’s urban areas.) • Federal government’s issues paper on a Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia. • National Water Commission 3rd Biennial Assessment of Progress in Implementation of the National Water Initiative. • Independent Review of NWC • Generated first State of the Sector Survey and National Water Leaders Summit • Participated in • Multiple Reference Groups in all jurisdictions, e.g.: • National Water Commission (Stakeholder Reference Group and Industry Projects), Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme, ACCC Infrastructure Committee, NHMRC Water Quality Guidelines Review.

7. Publications & Communications • Water Journal: 39th year of publication and read by an estimated 15,000 people remains highly regarded by our members. • Weekly E News is now complemented by daily news headlines • Specialist Networks receive targeted communications • Branch newsletters provide focused and relevant information within each of the states and territories • Published papers and platform presentations from major conferences are now web searchable and accessible for members • Move into social media space with Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

8. Industry Programs • AWA Industry Programs provide focus on issues of key interest and concern, e.g. • H2Oz • ANZBP • Community of Practice for Environmental Water Managers • waterAUSTRALIA • National Water Week • Water Industry Skills Taskforce • Water Industry Capability Development • Industry Sustainability Program • Water Utility Partnerships (Twinning)

9. Extensive Conference Program • Ozwater’11: Adelaide in May 2011 • 3,000 Participants • 183 Exhibitors • 500+ papers submitted • 1.2 millionHits on Ozwater website • 10,000 m2Exhibition floor space • Specialist Conferences in 2011 • WICD/WEN/Efficiency • Membranes • Anaerobic Digestion • Waste Stabilisation Ponds • Catchment management • National Leadership Summit • Coming upin 2012 • Enviro, LET, Biosolids, Operations, SWWS • and beyond • Recycling, Desalination, LESAM, World Water Congress (Brisbane 2016) • On average, one event every • four days somewhere in • Australia

10. National Water Awards • Celebrating the innovation, expertise and passion of the sector • National Awards presented at the Ozwater ’11 Gala Dinner. • For the first time finalists of the Innovation Awards were showcased in a panel session as part of the Ozwater program. • New in 2011: Water Industry Safety Excellence Award, developed in consultation with WSAA. • Number of attendees at the Gala Dinner • 1,000+ • Number of Awards presented • 11 • Number of nominations received • 71

11. Specialist Networks Number of Specialist Networks 15 Total number of AWA members involved in at least one Specialist Network 2,760 Percentage of members involved in at least one Specialist Network 53% AWA Specialist Networks Asset Management, Biosolids, Catchment, Management, Environmental Water Managers, Membranes and Desalination, Operations, Small Water & Wastewater Systems, Source Management (Liquid Trade Waste), Sustainability, Water Education Network, Water Efficiency, Water Management Law & Policy, Water Quality Monitoring and Analysis, Water Recycling, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Developing Communities (WASH), Young Water Professionals

13. Maintain and grow the current core offer: a broad range of technical sessions, workshops, conferences and networking events at national, branch and specialist network level. Focus on technical quality and relevance. Water journal and Water Directory to undergo further development and “evolutionary” change New services in bookshop, print-on-demand publishing plus assessment of business case for new technical journal Through waterAUSTRALIA and complimentary activities we will contribute to water industry capability and export development. Ozwater will continue to be the most significant annual water event in Australia. Member benefit packages will be reviewed to ensure we deliver a valued and balanced offering to corporate and individual members.

14. waterAUSTRALIA • Established in 2009 to provide a unifying brand for the Australian water sector and promote its achievements and world class capabilities internationally. • Vision: Offering Australia’s water success to the world • Mission: To stimulate growth of the Australian water sector by facilitating national and export sales growth • Collaborations/Funding • Works with the Commonwealth Government’s Water Supplier Advocate and other Government agencies (e.g. Austradeand the Industry Capability Network) – bring together the variety of industry support programs of the Government with the commercial aspirations and needs of the Australian water industry. • Not-for-profit company, funded by: Membership subscriptions; AWA funding; Government grants and contracts to provide specific services.

15. Current Initiatives and Activities

16. We will encourage specialist forums and round-tables to explore specific industry issues in detail. • Maintain and enhance our strong relations at national and regional levels and pro-actively participate in key committees, task forces, reference groups, etc. to ensure that the insights and experience of water sector professionals and organisations are heard. • Through internal working groups or commissioned research and surveys gather critical data and publish reports on current and emerging issues, e.g. • State of Water Sector Survey • Discussion papers and policy briefs • Showcase professional excellence through a nationally aligned program of Water Awards • We will collaborate with our water sector partners to develop a consistent and more powerful voice.

17. We will engage with water professionals in other (related) industry sectors through targeted technical events, e.g. water in mining, industrial water. We will collaborate with other water organisations to improve AWA services to create synergies for members and other water professionals: e.g. NCGRT, Stormwater, CRC fro Water Sensitive Cities. Facilitate establishment of new events or specialist networks to meet emerging areas of interest; host or support special interest groups within or under AWA’s umbrella Marketing of AWA, its services, activities and events will be increased and will extend beyond the current membership.

18. Deliver selected training, with the proportion of VET oriented courses compared to higher education courses increasing and the proportion of accredited vs non-accredited also increasing. Deliver quality training and professional development driven by the member networks and the needs and interests of water professionals and external partnerships. Progress towards a professional development accreditation system for water professionals. Establish a joint venture with Opus Consultants to provide water industry training, competency development and continuing professional development services. Continue existing initiatives, such as: RPL, Project, Source Management (Trade Waste) Training Program, Asset Management Training (in progress),Diploma and Adv Diploma of Engineering Technology (CWW initiated) Adding VET and other formal training offers to the current professional development opportunities

19. AWA’sRole in Water Industry Training

20. Ensure the culture, governance structure and processes of AWA reflect a strategically focused and aligned national association that is built on member participation. Work together with our partners to ensure we are efficiently and effectively meeting the needs of the water sector

21. Thank You Tom Mollenkopf Chief Executive tmollenkopf@awa.asn.au