Janice Wilson’s journey to becoming the Coordinator of the Whitsunday Isaac Mackay Water Alliance (WIMWA) is as dynamic and inspiring as the ambitious projects she now leads. With a background rooted in engineering and a passion for community-focused water management, Janice has become a pivotal figure in one of Queensland’s most progressive regional water alliances.
Raised on a dairy farm in Québec with a commercial maple syrup operation, Janice’s early exposure to reverse osmosis systems sparked a curiosity that eventually led her into engineering, despite an initial detour into sports medicine. Her career path has been shaped by global experiences, from wastewater system design in Asia to water management roles in mining across the Pacific. But it was a milestone opportunity with Mackay Regional Council that truly aligned her professional values with community impact, setting the stage for her current leadership role.
Since stepping into the QWRAP Coordinator position over a year ago, Janice has streamlined processes and set the WIMWA on a clear path to success. Working closely with Chair Michael Gallagher and Vice Chair Kylie Rogers, Janice has helped shape the strategic vision: “Think globally, act regionally, deliver locally.” Together, they focus on building collective capabilities, demonstrating leadership, and developing unified positions on shared challenges.
As one of the first Queensland Water Regional Alliance Program (QWRAP) regions, the WIMWA boasts a bold and diverse portfolio of initiatives. Through QWRAP bidpool funding, the region is tackling:
- Expansion of the Water Industry Worker program with a dedicated Learning and Development Coordinator and a Water Industry Worker Procedures Manual.
- Technology focused sewer data monitoring, network and treatment monitoring programs, including SCADA systems integration
- Developing a Smart Water Meter Playbook to help guide other water service providers and QWRAP regions through the process of a smart meter rollout
These efforts reflect the Alliance’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and regional resilience.
Having completed the International Water Centre Water Leadership Program on a full scholarship in 2015, Janice recently completed the inaugural High Performance Executive Program at Bond University. This unique opportunity integrated physical performance factors such as strength and aerobic capacity with mental toughness, psychosocial well-being, leadership and conflict resolution.
Her commitment to values alignment across personal, professional, and business domains guides her work and ensures that the Alliance remains focused on meaningful, community-driven outcomes. Janice’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, reflection, and purpose-driven leadership in shaping the future of water management in Queensland.
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