Yarra Valley Water Action plan on water crisis
Prepared for Bruce Mackenzie Hon. President Glen Waverley Rotary Club And Community Action Plan on Water Crisis
Prepared by Evan Papamichael Secretary/Manager Glen Waverley Rotary Club 30 May 2007
Table of Contents Letter of authorisation (ii) Letter of transmittal (iii) Executive summary (iv) Introduction: Duties to shareholders 1 Central section: Yarra Valley Water tackling problem of water crisis 2 Depth of water crisis: Community and State Government efforts to rectify the 3 problem Conclusion: Concluding findings and possible solutions: Recommendations 4 and Acknowledgements Appendix 5 Bibliography 6 Endnotes 7 Authorisation document or terms of reference (ii) To: Evan Papamichael From: Bruce Mackenzie Date: 23 April 2007 Subject: Analysis of water crisis The Board authorizes you to submit a report on the water crisis in Melbourne and how it will affect the residents in the Yarra Valley area. The Monash City Council should be contacted for their comments regarding any requirements. Also include your findings resulting from an inspection of the action plan in operation to rectify the problem. The Board would like this report submitted by 1 June 2007. Letter of Transmittal for Rotary Club Report (iii) Glen Waverley Rotary Club 697 Waverley Road Glen Waverley Vic 3150 Tel/Fax 03 9560 9765 Email: glenwrotary@blue.com .au 30 May 2007 Mr Bruce Mackenzie Hon. President Glen Waverley Rotary Club 629 Waverley Road Glen Waverley 3150 Dear Bruce, Here is the report you requested on the 23 April on the approach to tackling the water shortage in the City of Monash. I have detailed in this report an examination of the depth of the problem, why it has occurred and whether Yarra Valley Water can rectify the situation. Additionally, I have included lots of statistics and evidence on the history and solid work done by Yarra Valley Water in its service to customers. My recommendation is that Monash City Council should advise its residents that the matter is under control. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this report. Yours sincerely Evan Papamichael Secretary/Manager Glen Waverley Rotary Club Executive Summary (iv) This report was commissioned by the Rotary Club of Glen Waverley in conjunction with the Monash City Council for a strategy plan to tackle Melbourne�s water crisis. A detailed examination was made of three key areas. How Yarra Valley Water provides services for its clients. Secondly, the severity of the water crisis. Thirdly, how Yarra Valley Water is handling and will tackle the problem. The study concluded that although Melbourne is facing its worst drought on record the problem has been rectified. Not only has Mother Nature been kind to Melbourne and we have seen above average rainfall in recent weeks. But this will continue throughout winter due to expert advice from government forecasters. (See Appendix) Yarra Valley Water was proved to be efficient in its services to clients during the crisis. It appears that this pleasing result will continue indefinitely. 1.0 Introduction 1. Brief History Yarra Valley Water according to N.Abroms (p.1:2007) provides water supply and sewerage services to over 1.5 million people in Melbourne. It started in 1995 and is owned by the Victorian State Government. A Board of Directors elected by its shareholders operates Yarra Valley Water commercially and is controlled by the Corporations Law. Under the Water Industry Law it operates and covers an area of 4034 square kilometres of Melbourne�s north and east. It possesses and looks after 8643 kms of water main and 8207 kms of sewerage main. The Essential Services Commission regulates Yarra Valley Water, (hereinafter referred to as YVW). 1.1 According to (N.Abroms p.1:2007) YVW�s directors abide by corporate ruling practices set out by the Australian Stock Exchange Listing Rules. This is despite the fact that it (YVW) is not a listed public company. The company (YVW) has undertaken the Code of Conduct released by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 1.2 According to (N.Abroms p.2:2007) YVW has the following priorities: to provide services that its customers are willing to pay for. And to maintain business standards which meet the requirements expected by its shareholders.Thirdly, the company wants to be efficient and meet all legal standards. It intends to do so by being punctual and comprehensive in its work practices. But what about water shortages? Figure 2.1 Central section of the body of report on Yarra Valley Water 2. It is imperative according to (N.Abroms p.3:2007) that YVW tackles the problem of water shortages. But what has the Victorian government done about it? It seems a lot as N.Abroms states: The water industry in Melbourne has been quick to acknowledge and respond to climate change. For example Yarra Valley Water for some time now has been reducing and offsetting its carbon emissions, to the extent that the company will become100% greenhouse neutral in 2008. The State Government�s Central Region Sustainable Water Strategy (the long term plan to secure water supplies for the central region of Victoria including Melbourne) was based on planning assumptions of lower yields due to climate change, as modelled by the CSIRO. 2.2 N.Abroms (p.3:2007) points out the extent of the unexpected drought. Melbourne has never faced a problem as severe as the past decade. The catchments of winter/spring 2006 were 35% worse than the lowest recorded (in 1982-83). Therefore, Melbourne faces Stage 3 water restrictions. Our community according to N.Abroms(p.3:2007) has been co-operative in saving water.Also,our Premier Steve Bracks stated a pro-active approach by the Victorian government to rectify the problem by increasing water supplies by 46 billion litres over the next 24 months. This includes ways of increasing water harvesting and conservation initiatives. Also, inclusions flow to the Yarra River, and to recommission Tarago Reservoir to provide greater supplies. Conclusion of report on Yarra Valley Water 3. 3.1 Concluding Findings The future of our water supplies is difficult to predict but promising. N.Abroms states (p.3:2007) in a quote from the National Climate Centre of Australia: While our water supply situation is serious, it is not critical, and for the first time in many years there is encouraging news from long term weather forecasts. According to the National Climate Centre, the El-Nino event in the Pacific Ocean-which is a major contributor to the current dry conditions-is breaking down quickly. As a result, over the next 3 months there is an increased chance of above average rainfall. 3.2 N.Abroms(p.4:2007) points out that water supplies will recover over a period of time, maybe ten years. Furthermore, the state government faces challenges. We have cracked pipes leading to leaks and bursts. The is due to the company working with clay based soil. Much of the company�s pipes are repaired and well maintained. This is through�[engaging] more crews, and by [shifting] the work priorities of (sic) maintenance staff,[diverting] resources from construction work and [employing] private plumbers. 3.3 Conclusion Although the customers of Yarra Valley Water were placed under strict water restrictions in recent times, their loyalty paid off. Not only has our water wastage decreased but we have worked together as a community to tackle the problem. There are certain benefits here. 3.3a We have proved that both service providers (Yarra Valley Water) and its customers can co-operate at present and into the future to handle a crisis. 4.0 Recommendations 4. According to N.Abroms (p.3:2007) the �El-Nino event in the Pacific Ocean-which is the major contributor to the current dry conditions-is breaking down quickly�. We can expect above average rainfall over the next three months. Therefore, we will let mother nature together with the expertise of Yarra Valley Water management to handle the water crisis as comprehensively and efficiently as they have done up until now. Even though the drought might break over the next three months we must be careful not to be over excited. In approaching the water problem as we did, requires us to congratulate ourselves. 4.1 Yarra Valley Water must constantly review its water strategies indefinitely to ensure it continues to provide efficient services to its customers. It appears that this is the case, as seen in this report. Evan Papamichael Secretary/Manager Glen Waverley Rotary Club 30 May 2007 4.2 Acknowledgements Evan Papamichael contacted, and was helped tremendously over the phone and via email by Nick Abroms, who also provided a computer printout of the water crisis, and what is going to be done to rectify the problem. Nick Abroms is the Education Officer at Yarra Valley Water�s head office in Mitcham. Appendix 5. 1. Abroms, N. May 11, 2007, Yarra Valley Water, (email to Evan Papamichael) (Online). Available from:evan_papamichael@hotmail.com (Accessed: May 11, 2007). 2. Working Notes by Evan Papamichael as he was writing up the Report. Bibliography 6. 1. Abroms, N. May11, 2007, Yarra Valley Water, (email to Evan Papamichael) (Online). Available from:evan_papamichael@hotmail.com (Accessed: May 11, 2007). 2. Dwyer, J. 2003, The Business Communication Handbook, 6th edn, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest Endnotes 7. 1. Abroms, N. May11, 2007, Yarra Valley Water, (email to Evan Papamichael) (Online).Available from:evan_papamichael@hotmail.com (Accessed: May 11, 2007).p.1. 2. Ibid.p.1. 3. Ibid.p.2. 4. Ibid.p.3. 5. Ibid.p.3. 6. Ibid.p.3. 7. Ibid.p.4. 8. Ibid.p.3. Yarra Valley Water
Action plan on water crisis
Prepared for:
Bruce Mackenzie
Hon. President
Glen Waverley Rotary Club
And Community Action Plan on Water Crisis
Prepared by
Evan Papamichael
Secretary/Manager
Glen Waverley Rotary Club
30 May 2007
To: Evan Papamichael
From: Bruce Mackenzie
Date: 23 April 2007
Subject: Analysis of water crisis
The Board authorizes you to submit a report on the water crisis in Melbourne and how it will affect the residents in the Yarra Valley area.
The Monash City Council should be contacted for their comments regarding any requirements.
Also include your findings resulting from an inspection of the action plan in operation to rectify the problem.
The Board would like this report submitted by 1 June 2007.
Letter of Transmittal for Rotary Club Report (iii)
Glen Waverley Rotary Club
697 Waverley Road Glen Waverley Vic 3150
Tel/Fax 03 9560 9765
Email: glenwrotary@blue.com .au
30 May 2007
Mr Bruce Mackenzie
Hon. President
Glen Waverley
Rotary Club
629 Waverley Road
Glen Waverley 3150
Dear Bruce,
Here is the report you requested on the 23 April on the approach to tackling the water shortage in the City of Monash.
I have detailed in this report an examination of the depth of the problem, why it has occurred and whether Yarra Valley Water can rectify the situation.
Additionally, I have included lots of statistics and evidence on the history and solid work done by Yarra Valley Water in its service to customers.
My recommendation is that Monash City Council should advise its residents that the matter is under control.
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this report.
Yours sincerely,
Evan Papamichael
Secretary/Manager
Glen Waverley Rotary Club
Executive Summary (iv)
This report was commissioned by the Rotary Club of Glen Waverley in conjunction with the Monash City Council for a strategy plan to tackle Melbourne�s water crisis.
A detailed examination was made of three key areas. How Yarra Valley Water provides services for its clients.
Secondly, the severity of the water crisis.
Thirdly, how Yarra Valley Water is handling and will tackle the problem.
The study concluded that although Melbourne is facing its worst drought on record the problem has been rectified.
Not only has Mother Nature been kind to Melbourne and we have seen above average rainfall in recent weeks. But this will continue throughout winter due to expert advice from government forecasters. (See Appendix)
Yarra Valley Water was proved to be efficient in its services to clients during the crisis. It appears that this pleasing result will continue indefinitely.
1.0 Introduction
Brief History
Yarra Valley Water according to N.Abroms (p.1:2007) provides water supply and sewerage services to over 1.5 million people in Melbourne. It started in 1995 and is owned by the Victorian State Government.
A Board of Directors elected by its shareholders operates Yarra Valley Water commercially and is controlled by the Corporations Law.
Under the Water Industry Law it operates and covers an area of 4034 square kilometres of Melbourne�s north and east. It possesses and looks after 8643 kms of water main and 8207 kms of sewerage main. The Essential Services Commission regulates Yarra Valley Water, (hereinafter referred to as YVW).
1.1
According to (N.Abroms p.1:2007) YVW�s directors abide by corporate ruling practices set out by the Australian Stock Exchange Listing Rules. This is despite the fact that it (YVW) is not a listed public company. The company (YVW) has undertaken the Code of Conduct released by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
1.2
According to (N.Abroms p.2:2007) YVW has the following priorities: to provide services that its customers are willing to pay for. And to maintain business standards which meet the requirements expected by its shareholders.Thirdly, the company wants to be efficient and meet all legal standards. It intends to do so by being punctual and comprehensive in its work practices. But what about water shortages?
Figure 2.1 Central section of the body of report on Yarra Valley Water
It is imperative according to (N.Abroms p.3:2007) that YVW tackles the problem of water shortages. But what has the Victorian government done about it? It seems a lot as N.Abroms states:
The water industry in Melbourne has been quick to acknowledge and respond to climate change. For example Yarra Valley Water for some time now has been reducing and offsetting its carbon emissions, to the extent that the company will become100% greenhouse neutral in 2008. The State Government�s Central Region Sustainable Water Strategy (the long term plan to secure water supplies for the central region of Victoria including Melbourne) was based on planning assumptions of lower yields due to climate change, as modelled by the CSIRO.
2.2
N.Abroms (p.3:2007) points out the extent of the unexpected drought. Melbourne has never faced a problem as severe as the past decade.
The catchments of winter/spring 2006 were 35% worse than the lowest recorded (in 1982-83). Therefore, Melbourne faces Stage 3 water restrictions.
Our community according to N.Abroms(p.3:2007) has been co-operative in saving water.Also,our Premier Steve Bracks stated a pro-active approach by the Victorian government to rectify the problem by increasing water supplies by 46 billion litres over the next 24 months. This includes ways of increasing water harvesting and conservation initiatives. Also, inclusions flow to the Yarra River, and to recommission Tarago Reservoir to provide greater supplies.
Conclusion of report on Yarra Valley Water
3.1 Concluding Findings
The future of our water supplies is difficult to predict but promising.
N.Abroms states (p.3:2007) in a quote from the National Climate Centre of Australia:
While our water supply situation is serious, it is not critical, and for the first time in many years there is encouraging news from long term weather forecasts. According to the National Climate Centre, the El-Nino event in the Pacific Ocean-which is a major contributor to the current dry conditions-is breaking down quickly. As a result, over the next 3 months there is an increased chance of above average rainfall.
3.2
N.Abroms(p.4:2007) points out that water supplies will recover over a period of time, maybe ten years.
Furthermore, the state government faces challenges. We have cracked pipes leading to leaks and bursts. The is due to the company working with clay based soil. Much of the company�s pipes are repaired and well maintained. This is through�[engaging] more crews, and by [shifting] the work priorities of (sic) maintenance staff,[diverting] resources from construction work and [employing] private plumbers.
3.3 Conclusion
Although the customers of Yarra Valley Water were placed under strict water restrictions in recent times, their loyalty paid off. Not only has our water wastage decreased but we have worked together as a community to tackle the problem.
There are certain benefits here.
3.3a
We have proved that both service providers (Yarra Valley Water) and its customers can co-operate at present and into the future to handle a crisis.
4.0 Recommendations
According to N.Abroms (p.3:2007) the �El-Nino event in the Pacific Ocean-which is the major contributor to the current dry conditions-is breaking down quickly�. We can expect above average rainfall over the next three months.
Therefore, we will let mother nature together with the expertise of Yarra Valley Water management to handle the water crisis as comprehensively and efficiently as they have done up until now.
Even though the drought might break over the next three months we must be careful not to be over excited. In approaching the water problem as we did, requires us to congratulate ourselves.
4.1
Yarra Valley Water must constantly review its water strategies indefinitely to ensure it continues to provide efficient services to its customers. It appears that this is the case, as seen in this report.