Australia’s water sector is moving forward on multiple fronts, with new leadership, research breakthroughs and community-focused initiatives shaping the way services and knowledge are delivered.
At a national level, SMEC has strengthened its global presence with the appointment of a new Senior Executive Director for Water and Environment. Across the states and territories, utilities and researchers are working to tackle challenges closer to home.
From RMIT’s innovation to stop fatbergs before they form, to Unitywater’s structural refresh of the Peregian Beach reservoir, organisations are investing in infrastructure renewal and smarter solutions. Meanwhile, projects ranging from hydrological modelling guides to award-winning privacy tools highlight the breadth of work underway, while leadership appointments and graduate programs continue to strengthen the sector’s capacity.
Internationally, fresh ideas are emerging on the global stage – from student-led innovations recognised in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, to advances in hydrogen transport and water-harvesting technologies.
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National
SMEC appoints new water leader
SMEC has announced the appointment of John Parry as Senior Executive Director for Water and Environment globally within SJ Group’s Infrastructure and Energy division.
With over 30 years’ experience, Parry has led major programs across water, environment and energy. Acting Chief Executive Infrastructure + Energy, James Phillis, welcomed the move: “SMEC and the SJ Group are delighted to welcome John Parry to lead our next phase of growth in the water and environment sectors".
"He will play a critical role in achieving our strategic ambitions, harnessing our global expertise across the SJ Group, and drawing on his strengths in sustainability and ESG solutions to deliver digital water strategies and integrated services across the asset lifecycle."
RMIT research could stop fatbergs at the source
Researchers from RMIT’s Water: Effective Technologies and Tools (WETT) Research Centre have developed a new wastewater treatment system to tackle fatbergs – congealed blockages of fat, oil and grease that clog sewers worldwide.
The redesigned grease interceptor, paired with a smart chemical treatment, more than doubles fat removal rates from commercial kitchen wastewater, offering utilities a proactive solution to prevent costly blockages.
Peregian Beach reservoir gets structural refresh
Unitywater is undertaking maintenance and renewal works on its five-million-litre Peregian Beach water reservoir, including a new roof and a refreshed artwork facade.
Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Mike Basterfield, said: “Following extensive engagement with the community, Unitywater commissioned the art back in 2015. After 10 years in the elements, it is time for a refresh which we are doing at the same time as our maintenance work".
"The native melaleuca artwork is special for Peregian Beach residents and we will maintain the current design on this significant community landmark, which celebrates the area's natural heritage.”
Guide supports best-practice hydrological projections
Charles Darwin University researchers, working with CSIRO and international partners, have developed a new guide to simplify hydrological projections for water practitioners.
PhD candidate Frédérique Mourot, who led the work, said: “Water-resource managers, who often ask researchers to produce hydrological projections to assist them in protecting the local water resources, can use this guide to get appropriate hydrological projection results to help them determine sustainable water allocation limits.”
Yarra Valley Water recognised for privacy innovation
Yarra Valley Water’s ‘Privacy Check Pop-Up’ has won the Employee Experience Initiative of the Year award at the 2025 Auscontact Excellence Awards.
Managing Director Natalie Foeng said: “Keeping our customers’ information secure is something we take very seriously. The ‘Privacy Check Pop-Up’ ensures people’s details aren’t shared with the wrong person".
"The pop-up is also a great tool for our contact centre staff… so they can be confident they’re taking the right steps to protect customer privacy.”
Unitywater opens Vacation Work Program
Applications are now open for Unitywater’s three-month Vacation Work Program across Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa. With 18 positions on offer, the program provides opportunities in engineering, science, ICT, communications, business and finance.
Executive Manager People, Culture and Safety, Kenan Hibberd, said: “Our Vacation Work Program has been running for 12 years and has provided an excellent opportunity… This year will be our largest intake yet, widening the reach of the talent search and highlighting the vast nature of opportunities that exist in the water industry.”
Ballarat South wastewater plant turns 100
Central Highlands Water is celebrating the centenary of the Ballarat South Wastewater Treatment Plant, the city’s first facility of its kind. Community tours later this year will showcase the plant’s long service and ongoing upgrades.
Managing Director Jeff Haydon said: “This plant is proof of CHW’s commitment to public health and the environment. While it has a long history, continuous upgrades have made it one of the most innovative wastewater treatment plants in Victoria.”
Gippsland Water upgrades Traralgon sewer pump station
Gippsland Water has begun a $550,000 upgrade of the Peterkin Street sewer pump station, the largest in Traralgon’s network, servicing more than 5,200 households.
Acting Managing Director Nic Moss said: “Upgrading this pump station ensures we can continue to deliver a safe and dependable wastewater service for Traralgon. By replacing ageing infrastructure now, we reduce the risk of future service interruptions.”
Elizabeth Crouch AM appointed Hunter Water Chair
Hunter Water has welcomed Elizabeth Crouch AM as Chair of its Board of Directors for a three-year term. NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson praised the appointment.
“Elizabeth Crouch is an outstanding appointment as Chair of Hunter Water. She brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep commitment to public service that will be invaluable in guiding Hunter Water through its next chapter," she said.
Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2025 winners announced
Germany’s Niklas Ruf and Jana Spiller have won the Stockholm Junior Water Prize for their scalable flood warning system for small streams. Their network of sensors, linked to a public app, provides real-time alerts and is already being scaled up regionally.
The Diploma of Excellence went to Türkiye’s Kagan Mehmet Ozkok for combining AI and water efficiency, while the People’s Choice Award was awarded to UK student Divyasri Kothapalli for her solar-powered water distillation project.
Hydrogen transport breakthrough at Monash
Monash University, in partnership with Korean company SMU Airrane, has developed a new membrane technology to extract hydrogen safely from liquid carriers – allowing it to be transported in regular fuel tankers.
Professor Matthew Hill said: “We believe our membrane system is the missing link to supply-chain success – a way to cleanly and efficiently release hydrogen at the point of use, without relying on complex high-temperature processes.”
MIT ‘bubbles’ harvest water from air
MIT engineers have developed an absorbent hydrogel with dome-shaped “bubbles” that capture water vapour from the air more effectively than previous designs. The material offers promise for addressing global drinking water shortages by condensing moisture in arid environments.
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