Melbourne Water have secured a fourth place ranking in the influential 2021 AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies list. Their Wetlands Analytics Visualisation Environment (WAVE) technology was chosen for its innovative approach to analysing aerial wetland vegetation photography and providing an instant report on growth and health.
This is the third year in a row that Melbourne Water has featured in the top five list within the Government, Education and Not-for-Profit category.
Melbourne Water Managing Director, Michael Wandmaker, said it was an honour to be included in the Most Innovative Companies list, especially as WAVE provides an invaluable tool for protecting Melbourne’s wetlands.
“Wetlands are crucial to Greater Melbourne as they filter water and pollutants before entering local waterways. WAVE allows us to accurately count and monitor vegetation over time, which also helps us protect Melbourne’s biodiversity,” he said.
“Melbourne Water oversees construction of up to 30 new wetlands a year. Along with WAVE, we are constantly exploring new technology to improve the way our people work and create better environmental outcomes for Greater Melbourne communities. [Our] WAVE technology highlights our commitment to excellence in research and innovation, and strengthens our reputation as an industry leader,” he added.
Now in its 10th year, The Australian Financial Review and Boss Magazine annual Innovative Companies list assesses top innovations implemented in the past two years. In 2021 more than 700 nominations were received across 10 industry categories from companies across Australia and New Zealand. Judges measure the value of the problem an innovation solves, the quality and uniqueness of the solution, and the level of impact the innovation has. The prestigious list is based on a rigorous assessment process managed by Australia’s leading innovation consultancy, Inventium, and a panel of industry expert judges.