IRRIGATION AUSTRALIA NEWS MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS EXPLAINED Some members have been asking about membership renewals, so we thought it a good idea to explain how changes to the Irrigation Australia constitution in 2015 and 2018 affected the renewal process. Before these changes to the constitution, memberships were renewed at the beginning of each financial year. After the changes were voted on and passed by members, financial year memberships were replaced with anniversary year memberships. New membership categories were also adopted at the same time. This means that memberships are now anniversary based, so that a membership is active for 365 days and then expires on the 366th day. There is a short period of grace (30 days) to allow for late payments, after which membership ceases. Irrigation Australia’s automated system is set up so that members are notified when membership is due for renewal and an invoice is sent, as are reminders if necessary. This ensures that we have a tidy and accurate membership data base which is important when each member has a voting entitlement. If you have a question about membership, contact Tracy Martin, email tracy.martin@irrigation.org.au.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP What’s going on in the regions and with membership by Tracy Martin, Irrigation Australia's National Membership and Regions Manager.
to providing knowledge transfer, CPD points and Waterwise re-endorsement activities.
Queensland The South-East Queensland Regional Committee is working on hosting member events in the latter part of 2020 (restrictions permitting). The first member event is scheduled for Queens Wharf, Brisbane. The Committee is liaising with the Queensland Local Government Association and the Queensland Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia to discuss collaborating on training and certification for the region. At the last meeting, it was agreed that a Waterwise subcommittee be formed, which is reviewing the Waterwise Program’s manuals to align them with Queensland regulations, standards and terminologies. After the review is finished in the next few months, the sub-committee will develop an implementation strategy for the region.
Western Australia The WA Regional Committee has been holding monthly virtual meetings and hosted a successful member breakfast and networking event at Ozone Reserve in East Perth in August. Featured were: • Blake Humble, City of Perth, who provided an overview of the City of Perth’s irrigation network, and recent projects for water security, water quality and water efficiency • Mark Pipes, Elliotts Irrigation, who discussed the supply and installation of the groundwater filtration system (40 LPS) • Don May, Aquamonix, who presented on the supply of the Rainman irrigation central control system.
Melbourne With Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne, the Urban Committee is holding virtual meetings. A working group has been formed to look at opportunities for aligning with Waterwise programs.
South Australia
COVID-19 has meant that there have been significant changes to the way regional committees are holding meetings, with the priorities now on adhering to state COVID-19 rules and ensuring member safety. As a result, committees have been hosting meetings using teleconferencing or online services. Recently, with some states permitting larger group gatherings, we have been looking at obtaining approval for delivery of face-to-face member events. These networking opportunities are vital
As a result of member concerns, the committee is working on clarifying rules around non-drinking water and the use of lilac piping . Irrigation Australia wrote to the Premier, Minister for Water and Minister for Agriculture seeking a change to the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) Guidelines for Non-drinking Water. A meeting will hopefully be organised with the SA Government. We will keep members up to date on the outcomes of these discussions.
New South Wales The Sydney regional committee is changing its focus from water restrictions to other areas of services to our members such as events, engagement with councils and training.
SPRING 2020
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