Water Service Providers (WSPs) in Queensland are required to report to the State and Commonwealth on a range of issues to demonstrate accountability, transparency and sustainability in the management of the water industry.

The majority of WSPs adopt these reporting requirements not only in compliance with the letter but also in the spirit of the law as transparent reporting is in the best interests of their customers and communities. However, over the past three years, the mechanisms for mandatory reporting have grown significantly.

The increase in reporting mechanisms has been additive: new mandatory plans seldom refer to, or take advantage of previous reports. This increase has also occurred at a rate that could outstrip the ability of some industry members to maintain pace. Many large and medium WSPs now require a full time equivalent staff member simply to collate information into the many mandatory reports required by regulators.

On Thursday 6 August, a forum is being convened by the Queensland Water Directorate (qldwater) to review and discuss water reporting. The workshop will include an overview of all required reporting for Queensland WSPs and initiate a discussion on how the system can be rationalised.

Appropriate representatives from the policy and regulatory sections of the Department of Environment and Resource Management will be invited to explain the rationale behind the current array of mandatory reports, and discuss ways to rationalise this reporting in the future.

The forum will be held in Brisbane and will run from 10.00am until approximately 3.00pm with refreshments and light lunch provided.  Please advise Heather Gold by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  if you would be interested in attending or sending representatives to take part in this forum by COB Monday 27 July 2009.