Whitsunday Isaac Mackay (WIM) Alliance Annual Forum 2024

QWRAP / Success Stories

Whitsunday Isaac Mackay (WIM) Alliance Annual Forum 2024: A Celebration of Collaboration, Innovation, and Fun

The Whitsunday Isaac Mackay Alliance Annual Forum, held on 15 November 2024, showcased the region’s teamwork and ingenuity in the water sector.

Packed with competitions, collaborative sessions, and insightful presentations, the forum reflected the strong camaraderie and professional commitment within the Alliance.

The forum kicked off with an exhilarating Mains Tapping competition between Mackay Regional Council (MRC), Whitsunday Regional Council (WRC), and Isaac Regional Council (IRC). Congratulations to Isaac Regional Council, who clinched victory with an impressive time of 7:32. (There must be something in their award-winning water!)

Adding a fresh twist this year was the debut of the “Misfits on the Main” competition. This spirited event saw four novices—Graduate Engineer Jigar Dholariya, Associate Director Jeremy Rowe, QWRAP Program Director David Wiskar, and Senior Regulatory Officer Matthew Ruygrok—paired with experienced team supervisors to take on the Mains Tapping challenge.

Guided by the leadership and commentary of MRC Executive Manager Water Network, Jason Cocker, and with unwavering support from the regional teams, these “misfits” stepped outside their comfort zones to embrace the unfamiliar. The competition highlighted the industry’s collaborative ethos: taking on new challenges, seeking support, and working together to achieve success.

Key Discussions and Outcomes

The formal agenda began with a collaborative session to address key industry challenges, including safety management, environmental issues, security concerns, and diversity. Alliance members also shared plans for the holiday season:

Mackay Regional Council held a “stop-work” moment to encourage staff to pause and assess safety before beginning work.
Isaac Regional Council is organising a mock incident on 26 November to test disaster preparedness.
Whitsunday Regional Council were planning their annual review of the business continuity plan.

These discussions underscored the importance of proactive planning during the holiday period when reduced staffing levels place added pressure on maintaining essential services.

New Leadership and Future Projects

Michael Gallagher, Principal Engineer Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations at Whitsunday Regional Council, was elected as Chair, with Kylie Rogers, Associate Director Infrastructure at Mackay Regional Council, stepping into the Vice-Chair role.

The group also outlined several exciting bid-pool projects in progress:

Water Industry Worker Procedures Manual
Smart Water Meter Playbook
Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) Training Course

Engaging Presentations and Knowledge Sharing

Participants enjoyed a series of presentations on diverse topics, including:

Insights from Mackay Regional Council graduates on their program experiences.
Isaac Regional Council’s waste journey and the complexities of PFAS/PFOS compliance.
Updates on the Far North Queensland Water Alliance Regional Capability Project.
Key outcomes from the recent LGAQ Conference, with resolutions impacting water and wastewater management.

The session also highlighted disaster preparedness strategies, such as maintaining contact lists, ensuring backup power sources, and printing essential continuity plans.

Acknowledgments

A big thank you to WIM Alliance Regional Coordinator Janice Wilson for orchestrating such a successful and inspiring event with the strong support of each Council and the governing body, Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors (GWCoM). The 2024 WIM Annual Forum was a shining example of the Alliance’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and professional development.

Here’s to another productive year ahead for the Whitsunday Isaac Mackay Alliance!