Australia’s water community is advancing with bold new investments, scientific insights and community-driven initiatives – from a landmark national review of microplastics to major upgrades improving water security in Daylesford, Toowoomba and Gippsland.
Utilities and researchers are working together to support community needs and future resilience. In the Northern Territory, UNSW’s Makerbus is taking engineering directly to young people, while new funding will help train the next generation of climate-resilient water professionals. Regional operators in WA have turned industry success into local support for a cancer charity, and collaborative expos are showcasing technical innovation across Victoria.
Meanwhile, Australia’s influence continues to grow globally, with new contributions to drought modelling, weather prediction and intermittent water supply design. A sobering joint report from WHO and UNICEF also highlights the continued global disparities in access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
Want water insights delivered weekly? Subscribe to Source, the AWA’s newsletter.
Microplastics pollution under the microscope
A new study led by UNSW’s SMaRT Centre reveals the pervasive scale of microplastic pollution across Australia. The review highlights alarming sources of contamination – from road dust to recycled plastics – and identifies wastewater treatment plants and landfill runoff as major pathways.
The study found that the majority of microplastics enter aquatic ecosystems through landfill leaching, direct dumping by humans, and runoff from transportation and wastewater treatment plants, estimating it could take between 50–600 years to degrade.
Funded through the National Environmental Science Program, the study calls for stronger national strategies to address the issue across all environmental media.
Will Nankervis named new Ambassador for Climate Change
The Australian Government has appointed Will Nankervis as its new Ambassador for Climate Change. With experience in Jakarta, New York and Colombo, Nankervis will focus on Australia’s climate diplomacy, particularly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Nankervis will also play a key role in supporting Australia’s COP31 hosting bid, with his appointment underscoring the government’s commitment to international cooperation on climate action.
UTS wins funding to train future climate-resilient water leaders
The Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS) will lead the NSW hub of a national ARC Training Centre for Climate-Resilient Water.
Backed by $1.26 million, the centre will support PhD and postdoctoral research, with an eye on water resilience, net zero goals and industry innovation. Launching in 2026, it will bring together 28 partners across academia, utilities and government.
Arup appoints new queensland water business leader
Arup has announced the appointment of Gloria Vega as Queensland Water Business Leader. With over 20 years’ experience in the water sector, Vega brings deep expertise in strategy, client engagement and cross-disciplinary leadership.
Vega joins from GHD, where she helped grow the national Water Advisory practice by 50% and chaired the firm’s Neurodiversity Enterprise Group. In her new role, Vega will guide Arup’s strategic direction in Queensland, supporting water utilities to enhance system resilience, enable decarbonisation, and strengthen water security.
Gippsland Water delivers on key infrastructure goals
Gippsland Water has released its latest Community Report, highlighting upgrades to critical infrastructure in Traralgon, Warragul and Morwell.
Highlights include replacing a major sewer system, installing new lagoon covers at the Gippsland Water Factory and expanding the region’s largest composting facility. The utility also collaborated with Gunai artist Alice Pepper to install Aboriginal artwork in Stratford. Customers were engaged on a range of issues and their feedback helped inform planning.
UNSW Makerbus brings engineering to remote NT communities
UNSW’s new Makerbus is hitting the road with 3D printers, coding kits and recycled plastic machinery to bring hands-on STEMM education to young people in the NT.
“The aim is to get children excited about engineering and broaden their scope,” said Makerspace Manager Melinda Wimborne. The mobile workshop can be customised to classroom needs and is already inspiring students at schools like Dripstone Middle School in Darwin and centres in Alice Springs.
Murray Cluster Expo showcases innovation and teamwork
Goulburn Valley Water hosted the inaugural Murray Cluster Operational Expo last week in Seymour, welcoming 70+ staff from five Victorian water corporations and two NSW councils.
The event featured demonstrations in drone profiling, pump station training and blue-green algae management. “This event highlights what we can achieve when we come together – not just to share knowledge, but to build a future-ready workforce,” said GVW Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell.
CDU researchers call for ‘positive environmental journalism’
New research from Charles Darwin University argues that shifting environmental reporting from doom to solutions can drive meaningful action.
“If people are constantly told the situation is hopeless, they disengage,” said Dr Awni Etaywe. The study found that ‘Positive Environmental Journalism’ – framing stories through care, shared values and possibility – helps readers stay engaged and see themselves as part of the solution.
Old Mount Crosby Bridge transformed for the community
Following the completion of a new flood-resilient bridge, Seqwater has transformed the original Mount Crosby Weir Bridge into a pedestrian path with educational signage – creating an asset for the community to enjoy.
“It was important for Seqwater to repurpose the bridge to celebrate the historical significance of the site,” said Executive GM Sarah Dixon. A collapsible balustrade was installed to protect infrastructure during floods.
$54 million boost for Cressbrook Dam safety
The Queensland Government has committed $54 million to upgrade Cressbrook Dam’s spillways, enhancing flood safety and supporting future water security for 180,000 residents.
The project will also enable better monitoring and resilience, and supports the Big T pumped hydro project. It marks a critical investment in long-term water supply for Toowoomba and surrounding areas.
Daylesford water pipeline nears final stage
Central Highlands Water is nearing completion of a $25 million pipeline to improve water security for Daylesford and neighbouring towns. With storage levels dropping below 30% this winter, residents remain on Stage 2 restrictions.
Once finished, the pipeline will deliver up to 300 million litres annually from other sources to supplement local reservoirs.
Tasmanian harbour oxygenation project scales up
A new $18.3 million program is underway to improve oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour – critical for the survival of the endangered Maugean skate.
The federal initiative, supported by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, builds on a two-year trial and aims to scale oxygen delivery. “This is one part of a wide-ranging strategy for the skate and the harbour,” the Department stated.
Restoration grants support native species in SA
Landholders in South Australia can now apply for a share in nearly $9 million of grants to restore native vegetation and protect threatened species.
Farmers like Dean and Penny Hooper, who received earlier funding, have already helped restore more than 1,000 hectares of habitat for the endangered Plains Wanderer. Applications are open until 8 November 2025.
Moisture reshapes climate science of atmospheric blocking
Purdue University researchers have revealed how moisture – long overlooked – plays a critical role in atmospheric blocking, which drives extreme weather events like floods and droughts.
“Since the 1940s, most classical theories were based on a completely dry atmosphere,” said lead researcher Lei Wang. The study could help improve long-term weather forecasting.
New model could improve water delivery for 1 billion people
University of Toronto engineers have developed a tool to optimise intermittent water supply systems – used by 20% of the global population.
Unlike conventional models that assume 24/7 access, the new tool accounts for daily shutoffs and household storage. “More than a billion people get water this way – but their systems are modelled as if they don’t,” said Prof David Meyer.
AI framework helps assess human impact of droughts
A new tool called SIDE (Socially Informed Drought Estimation) is helping researchers estimate how droughts affect communities, not just landscapes.
Developed by Prof Dong Wang, the AI-based framework uses social and news media data to better inform drought response planning by focusing on public impact.
WHO and UNICEF call for urgent action on water access
A new report from WHO and UNICEF has found that 2.1 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water. The data shows stark inequality in water, sanitation and hygiene access – especially for girls and women.
“Water, sanitation and hygiene are not privileges, they are basic human rights,” said WHO’s Ruediger Krech.
Want more sector news and insights like this in your inbox? Sign up to Source, the Australian Water Association’s weekly newsletter.