Australia’s water sector is stepping up to deliver sustainable infrastructure, innovative technology and stronger community partnerships, while global research continues to reshape our understanding of climate risk and water resilience.
This week saw the Federal Government announce a new national emissions target, alongside fresh investment in regional water safety. Utilities are embracing innovation, from South East Water’s circular economy breakthrough to Wandoon Estate’s new wastewater system, while leaders are being appointed and reappointed to guide the sector through major change.
Internationally, research and technology developments are pointing to both challenges and opportunities – from coastal communities retreating inland to novel solar desalination systems offering new hope.
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Australia sets new 2035 emissions target
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a national target to cut emissions by 62–70% below 2005 levels by 2035.
The Federal Government also unveiled a new $5 billion Net Zero Fund to support Australian heavy industry to decarbonise, alongside the scale-up of low emissions technologies needed for the national Net Zero Plan, plus $1.1 billion to encourage more production of clean fuels in Australia.
Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Tim Ayres, said: “The Climate Risk Assessment Report, the first of its kind in Australia, clearly shows what’s at stake if we don’t provide the right kind of leadership that Australia needs at this critical juncture".
"The Net Zero Fund will be a vital component of the Albanese Labor Government’s industrial strategy, which already represents the biggest pro-manufacturing investment in Australian history," he said.
The target and funding has drawn both praise and calls for stronger commitments. Climate groups and researchers are urging greater ambition and legal safeguards, while industry stakeholders have cautiously welcomed the investment as an opportunity to modernise operations but flagged concerns about costs and certainty.
South East Water unveils circular economy loo
South East Water has partnered with researchers to launch the NiCE Loo Lab, a mobile public toilet that converts urine into safe fertiliser. Developed with the ARC Nutrients in a Circular Economy Hub, University of Technology Sydney and the University of Melbourne, the world-first system diverts, collects and treats nutrients for agricultural use.
General Manager of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Daniel Sullivan said: “Every day, valuable nutrients are flushed away in wastewater. The NiCE Loo Lab is an innovation that seeks to recover and recycle nutrients back into beneficial use as fertiliser for agriculture. We’re proud to be a partner in this ambitious project and look forward to seeing how it can be applied at scale to deliver a circular economy outcome.”
Monash team advances in global XPRIZE competition
The HydroFrontiers team, led by Associate Professor Md. Arifur Rahim at Monash University, has been named a Qualifying Team in the $119 million XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition. Their breakthrough desalination technology has advanced to real-world trials, aiming to produce one million litres of clean drinking water a day.
“We are thrilled that HydroFrontiers has been recognised as a qualified team for this global competition on water scarcity,” Associate Professor Rahim said. “Our approach combines breakthrough materials innovation with scalable system design to make seawater desalination more sustainable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective for communities worldwide.”
Town Water Risk Reduction Program enters new phase
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has launched Phase 3 of the Town Water Risk Reduction Program, backed by $15 million to improve water and sewerage services in rural and remote communities. The program will run over three years and provide operational support for 20 local water utilities.
Yarra Valley Water appoints new CFO
Yarra Valley Water has named Tony Citera as its new Chief Financial Officer, overseeing finance, procurement, legal, risk and corporate services.
Managing Director Natalie Foeng said: “Tony is an experienced leader with a strong record of delivering projects that benefit the community. His collaborative style and values-driven leadership will be a great asset not only to the Finance and Corporate Service Group, but to the wider organisation.”
Gippsland Water reappoints Sarah Cumming as MD
Gippsland Water has extended Managing Director Sarah Cumming’s tenure for another five years, recognising her leadership through a period of transformation and community engagement.
Board Chair Tom Mollenkopf AO said: “During Sarah’s tenure as managing director, Gippsland Water has become a high-performing industry leader and trusted community partner. Her steady and inspiring approach has delivered outstanding results during a time of regional economic change and regulatory reform.”
Cumming said: “My motivation has always been to contribute meaningfully to the prosperity and wellbeing of Gippsland. Over the past eight years, we’ve delivered a price submission that lowered customer bills, expanded commercial operations, renegotiated legacy contracts for fairer outcomes, and significantly improved customer satisfaction.”
Hunter Water completes major stormwater works
Hunter Water has finalised stormwater rehabilitation projects across Georgetown, Mayfield and Waratah, with the final phase at Station Street in Waratah now set to begin.
Executive Manager Customer Delivery Glen Robinson said: “Our stormwater network plays a vital role in protecting homes, businesses, and public spaces, particularly during severe weather events. By replacing ageing culverts and channels, we’re ensuring the system continues to meet the needs of our growing community.”
Morgan tap water crowned best in SA
SA Water’s Morgan Water Treatment Plant has taken out South Australia’s best tasting tap water in IXOM’s 2025 competition.
Senior Manager of Production and Treatment Paul Bendotti said: “The win is well deserved, and testament to our hard-working local operators. Water produced from the Morgan plant also consistently rates as the drinking water of choice in our own blind water taste tests we run across the state throughout the year.”
Wandoon Estate expands with wastewater upgrade
Yarra Valley Water has installed a new wastewater management system at Wandoon Estate’s historic Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, enabling the expansion of its visitor and education programs.
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder and Estate Manager Uncle Dave Wandin said: “We’d previously been unable to host large groups because we only had a portaloo on site for them to use. Now, with the new wastewater system and public toilets, we can start welcoming bigger groups and holding our visitor program more frequently".
“The new system will also help us expand our commercial kitchen which we will use to prepare Aboriginal food as well as for contemporary cooking purposes. It will also allow us to provide education and training facilities primarily for Aboriginal tertiary students, so they can have culturally appropriate, culturally safe facilities to further their education as they move out into the wider world."
Global study reveals coastal retreat trends
An international study led by Monash University has found that more than half of the world’s coastal settlements are relocating inland due to rising seas. Published in Nature Climate Change, the study highlights stark inequalities, with poorer communities more likely to remain exposed.
Lead author Xiaoming Wang said: “For the first time, we’ve mapped how human settlements are relocating from coasts around the world. It’s clear that moving inland is happening, but only where people have the means to do so. In poorer regions, people may have to be forced to stay exposed to climate risks… These communities can face increasingly severe risk in a changing climate.”
Solar desalination breakthrough in South Korea
Researchers at UNIST have unveiled a solar desalination device that generates clean drinking water without external electricity, solving the long-standing issue of salt accumulation.
Professor Ji-Hyun Jang said the innovation ensures “long-term durability and reliable operation – key considerations for deployment in developing countries facing water shortages.”
Thames Water upgrades pumping stations at scale
Thames Water has partnered with Xylem to upgrade 130 sewage pumping stations, modernising infrastructure inherited under 2016 legislation. The program sets a precedent for large-scale, standardised pump upgrades across the UK
El Niño linked to daily rainfall surges in India
A new study published in Science has found El Niño events increase daily rainfall in India’s wettest regions, countering assumptions of uniform drought. Researchers analysed over a century of rainfall records, revealing more frequent extreme rainfall events during El Niño years.
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