North East Water’s work has been recognised with a major award and a high commendation at the recent Australian Water Association 2023 Victorian Water Awards in Melbourne.

The organisation won the Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Regional) for its Beechworth sewer upgrade and was highly commended for its Independent Aboriginal Board Delegate Program in the Organisational Excellence Award category.

Managing director, Jo Murdoch, said the awards highlighted the innovative and highly specialised work of North East Water staff and partner organisations.

She said the recognition also demonstrated the importance of engaging with communities and agency stakeholders to achieve significant environmental, social and cultural outcomes.

North East Water’s complex $6.5 million Beechworth project involved drilling through granite bedrock to construct a one-kilometre pipeline in Beechworth Historic Park, making it one of the longest single shot boring operations attempted through granite in Victoria.

The sewer pipe, now installed, runs at depths reaching 50 metres below Ingrams Rock in the Historic Park.

“This innovative solution, which followed extensive community and contractor engagement, enabled us to overcome problems which have for many years plagued the Beechworth sewer transfer system through the Historic Park.”

Ms Murdoch also said North East Water’s unique Independent Aboriginal Board Delegate Program was the first of its kind in Australia and was now being replicated across other water corporations and catchment management authorities.

“Our aspiration was simple, to increase the representation of Aboriginal people on water boards, provide development opportunities and learn from their deep cultural knowledge, wisdom and experience,” she said. We believe the Australian water sector can learn much from Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples.”

Through this program, Duduroa Dhargal and Yorta Yorta man Johnny Murray, who was Aboriginal delegate to the North East Water board in 2022-23, has since been appointed a board director.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 2 November 2023.