Sustainability Report 2006/07Chairman and Managing Director’s report
Rob Skinner, Managing Director, and Cheryl Batagol, Chairman
The past year has probably been one of the most challenging years in this organisation’s history.
Faced with managing contingency measures required to deal with a worsening drought situation – which became the worst year for storage inflows on record – Melbourne Water was also heavily involved in assisting the Government to develop Our Water Our Future - The Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan.
We were responsible for completing the feasibility studies for seawater desalination, the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project (a pipeline to connect the Goulburn River Catchment to Sugarloaf Reservoir) and harvesting stormwater at Dights Falls, as well as bringing forward the reconnection of Tarago Reservoir and fast-tracking the Eastern Treatment Plant upgrade.
All of these new challenges placed increased demand on an organisation that was further tested by the very real threat of bushfires reaching the catchments. The fires burned to the edge of the Thomson Catchment and sparks were flying into the catchment at one point, but the combined efforts of the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne Water and other emergency services averted what could have been very serious impacts on the catchments.
Our aim is always to ensure that our employees work in a safe and secure environment, so it was very disappointing that the recycled water cross-connection incident at the Eastern Treatment Plant occurred. However, we were impressed with the quick and transparent response to the incident, particularly the provision of a comprehensive medical and counselling service to the affected people. A thorough investigation was undertaken and we have implemented actions to ensure this type of incident never happens again.
Throughout all of this, the employees of Melbourne Water remained committed to the principles of sustainability and the related culture of constructive and respectful behaviour – the things that make Melbourne Water a great organisation that is serving Melbourne well.
We will continue to face further challenges in the coming years, with a growing capital plan, building our preferred culture and deciding how we can do more with less impact on the environment, including ambitious targets such as achieving zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2018.
In 2006/07, we delivered over $226 million of capital works. The 2007/08 expenditure on capital works is expected to be approximately three times this amount, including major projects such as the construction of the Northern Sewerage Project, the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project, the upgrade of the Eastern Treatment Plant, the reconnection of Tarago Reservoir, and a new Melbourne Main Sewer.
A Draft Water Plan for the period 2008 – 2013 was completed and further consideration of our water plan will follow the completion of the review of the structure of the retail water industry currently being undertaken by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission. The review is to be completed by February 2008.
We commend and thank our people for the way in which they have worked hard and supported each other in this challenging but satisfying year and we look forward to their contribution to our success in delivering a sustainable water future for generations to come.