Yarra Valley Water finalist in four Victorian water award categories
The awards celebrate innovation, leadership, infrastructure and inspiring positive change to drive a sustainable water future.
Acting Managing Director Natalie Foeng said she was proud to see Yarra Valley Water recognised by the Australian Water Association and paid tribute to all the team.
“It is a huge achievement to be recognised as one of the top water authorities in Victoria for innovation, leadership and organisational excellence. Well done to all of our staff – this is something that they can be very proud of,” Ms Foeng.
Yarra Valley Water is a finalist in the following categories:
- Infrastructure Project Innovation - Metro Award: Recycled Water Community Assets - Enabling a Victorian Major Infrastructure Project to Reduce Environmental Impact through Water Offsets
- Young Water Professional of the Year: Felicity Gould, Regulation and Business Planning Manager
- Organisational Excellence: Mental Health and Wellbeing - Leading into the Future with Healthy Minds – psychosocial safety strategy
- Organisational Excellence: Gama Dji Balit - Emerge Strongly (Partnership with Have a Dig, Jaydo, and Ventia)
Yarra Valley Water’s recycled water pilot project at Croydon’s Barngeong Reserve has been recognised in the Infrastructure Project Innovation category. This initiative aims to offset millions of litres of drinking water used during major construction works.
“We know that with climate change our weather is getting a hotter and drier and projects like these are a great example of how water corporations can really lead in the challenge in a very innovative and different way,” Ms Foeng said.
The newly installed 300m water main will deliver high-quality recycled water to Barngeong Reserve, offsetting the drinking water used during the construction phase of a level crossing removal project. This will help keep the reserve's oval lush and healthy throughout the year.
“Water plays a vital role in construction, from dust suppression to landscaping and irrigation. This often involves the use of drinking water,” she said. “So offset programs like this are a great opportunity to rebalance the negative effects that were taken from the natural environment,” she said.
It’s estimated this project alone will offset 15.5 million litres of drinking water used during the construction of four level crossing removal projects over five years – equivalent to more than six Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Yarra Valley Water also celebrated the nomination of Felicity Gould as Young Water Professional of the Year.
“I’m so proud to see Felicity recognised—she’s a passionate advocate for women in STEM and embodies innovative thinking, active listening, and excellent mediation skills,” Ms Foeng said.
In addition to these accolades, Yarra Valley Water has been acknowledged for its commitment to mental health and wellbeing,
“We’re focussed on developing the right culture and empowering our leaders to help individual staff to manage and improve their psychological health and safety,” she said. “When our staff feel valued, supported and healthy, they’re more engaged and likely to provide better care for our customers.”
Yarra Valley Water’s partnership with Aboriginal-owned business Have a Dig, Gama Dji Balit (Emerge Strongly), was also shortlisted for an award. This collaboration, which also involves Jaydo and Ventia, aims to create opportunities for First Nations peoples in core operations.
“Our partnership with Have a Dig is a great example of enabling training, employment, and procurement pathways and outcomes through working with our key construction partners. We’ll continue to advocate for greater opportunities for partnerships like this and share learnings across the water industry,” Ms Foeng said.
The winners of the Australian Water Association Awards will be announced on Wednesday 23 October in Melbourne.