Water Authorities
The Victorian Water Industry is managed by Urban and Regional Water Authorities owned by Victorian Government.
Within the Metropolitan area, Melbourne Water is the wholesale water agency supporting the three water retailers; South East Water, Yarra Valley Water and Greater Western Water. The three retailers have formed the joint association, MRWA (Melbourne Water Retail Agencies).
These Water Authorities are the providers of water, non-drinking water, sewerage, trade waste and water saving services for residents and businesses within Melbourne and Metropolitan areas.
Regional Victoria is serviced by a further 13 regional water authorities.
These authorities provide water, non-drinking water, sewerage, trade waste and water saving services for residents and businesses within regional Victoria.
Rural Water Authorities, Southern Rural Water, Lower Murray Water, and Goulburn Murray Water manage bulk water supplies and irrigation services for rural Victoria.
Opportunities for Civil Contractors within the water industry include: works directly managed by the Water Authorities such as their Capital Works programs and pipeline renewal and replacement works; and works commissioned by Land Developers which are subsequently gifted to the Water Authorities.
Contractor Prequalification & Accreditation Process
Capital Works and renewal programs for each Authority are generally managed through a Panel of Suppliers or, fixed term appointment for specific work parcels. In most cases, appointment to these opportunities is through a Prequalification process in which Contractors are required to demonstrate capability and experience for the relevant works.
In all cases, the Contractor must have, and use a Management System certified to a reputable Standard, including the CCF’s Integrated Managements Code, or the ISO Standards; by a JASANZ accredited Certifying Body.
The Contractor is also required to demonstrate proactive compliance to all OH&S Legislation and Regulation.
Works commissioned by Land Developers, typically water and sewer reticulation, supply mains, Sewer rising mains and pumps stations which are to become Water Authority assets may only be constructed using Approved Contractors.
Water Authority approval is generally gained through either:
- Prequalification, in which the Contractor must submit details of management systems, and relevant capability, experience, and resources for the proposed work areas. Prequalification does not imply any contractural agreement between the Authority and the Contractor, or
- Accreditation, in which the Contractor submits details of management systems, and relevant capability, experience, and resources for the proposed work areas, then enters into a Deed of Agreement with the Water Authority. Each Authority may have different requirements which must be understood to achieve Accreditation
The CCF can provide assistance in achieving Prequalification or Accreditation through its retained Consultants.
MRWA Requirements
The requirements of the Melbourne Retail Water Agencies (MRWA) for contractors to achieve and retain accreditation to their water and sewer works categories are large in number and very specific.
These include:
- Management Systems (OH&S, Quality and Environment)
- Sample Project Documentation
- Proactive Safety systems complying with all OH&S Legislation and Regulation
- Insurances and Company Documentation
- Skills, Training and competences for Key Personal
- Relevant Experience gained in the land development space for each category of work to be Accredited.
The MRWAs also maintain a regimented audit regime of their accredited contractors, and regularly review the contractors based on performance criteria.
Accreditation System
The Arcus website is an online web portal for the submission of applications for Accreditation. Currently the Portal is available for:
- South East Water,
- Yarra Valley Water, and
- Greater Western Water,
Other authorities are also considering future of the Portal.
Arcus is accessed by applying to an authority administrator for a Login and Password.
Application is completed on line and includes selection of each Authority for which Accreditation is requested.
The company’s key information must be entered, including a specific company entity and associated ABN, company details, insurances, etc.
The system contains a number of sections that must be completed. Documentary compliance evidence must be uploaded, along with responses to the questions posed in each category. Information to be provided and uploaded includes, but is not limited to:
- Certification documents, to the CCF Management Code or ISO Standards (OHS, Quality and Environment)
- Insurance documentation
- Nomination of work categories for which Accreditation is requested
- Relevant Company experience each requested category of work
- Licenses and Tickets of Key Personnel for each requested category of work
- Relevant experience of Key Personnel for each requested category of work
Note that Key Personal nominated are the only personnel ‘accredited’ to supervise the worksite and must be actively engaged and on site while works are taking place.
Key Personal must have the training, experience and competency relevant to the requested category of work.
Mandatory for all works are:
- Industry Induction (White Card)
- Trench Shoring and Safety
- Confined Space (Renewed annually)
- Machine Operator
Training courses for these and other required competencies can generally be obtained through CCF Civil Train.
Accreditation is completed when the Accreditation deed issued by each Authority is signed, dated and uploaded.
For more information on this subject, contact the CCF Victoria Team on (03) 9588 7600.
Interested in becoming a member? CLICK HERE to apply.