Wannon Water

Legislation & by-laws

Water Act 1989 requirements

Under the Water Act 1989, Wannon Water is required to carry out the following functions in its service area:

Water Supply

To provide, manage, operate and protect the water supply system, including the collection, storage, treatment, transfer and distribution of water.
To develop and implement programs for the conservation and efficient use of water.
To investigate, promote and conduct research into any matter related to its functions, powers and duties in relation to water supply.
To educate the public about any aspect of water supply.

Sewerage

To provide, manage and operate systems for the conveyance, treatment and disposal of sewerage and, if Wannon Water so decides, of trade waste.
To identify community needs relating to sewerage services and to plan for the future needs of the community relating to sewerage services.
To develop and implement programs for the recycling and re-use of treated sewerage.
To investigate, promote and conduct research into any matter related to its functions, powers and duties in relation to sewerage services.
To educate the public about any aspect of sewerage.

All sewage is treated and disposed of in accordance with EPA licence conditions.

The rights and responsibilities of Wannon Water and its customers are detailed in our Customer Charter, which is approved by the Essential Services Commission.

Statement of Obligations

Under the Water Industry Act of 1994, the Minister for Water issues Wannon Water with obligations in relation to performance of its functions and exercise of its powers.

Download a copy of Wannon Water's Statement of Obligations

Whistleblowers Act

The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 provides protection for "whistleblowers" who make disclosures in accordance with the Act and establishes a system for the matters disclosed to be investigated and appropriate action taken. Whistleblowers may be members of the public or employees.

Wannon Water's internal auditor acts as the Protected Disclosure Coordinator, who receives protected disclosures regarding Wannon Water or its employees under the Act.

Disclosures of improper conduct may be made to:

Warwick Spargo of RSM Bird Cameron
Level 8, Rialto South Tower
525 Collins Street,
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Telephone: (03) 9286 1624
Mobile: 0438 385 132
Email: warwick.spargo@rsmi.com.au

Scott Campbell of RSM Bird Cameron
Level 8, Rialto South Tower
525 Collins Street,
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Telephone: (03) 9286 1628
Mobile: 0409 210 132
Email: scott.campbell@rsmi.com.au

Download a copy of our Whistleblowers Protection Policy.

Regulations

Wannon Water provides services to meet its statutory obligations and regulatory requirements, including:

Water Industry Regulatory Order (WIRO)
Statement of Obligations issued by the Minister for Water
Safe Drinking Water Act 2003
Water Act 1989
Environment Protection Act 1970

By-Laws

Wannon Water is permitted under the Water Act 1989 to implement by-laws throughout our service areas. Current active by-laws active within our service area include:

Customer Service Code

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) is Victoria's independent economic regulator of essential services supplied by the electricity, gas, water and sewerage, ports, grain handling and rail freight industries.

The ESC Customer Service Codes detail the specific standards and conditions of service and supply that Wannon Water must comply with in providing regulated services to customers.

Download a copy of the ESC Customer Service Code:

Public Administration Act

Wannon Water is respondent to the Public Administration Act 2004. The Public Sector Standards Commissioner (PSSC) has issued binding codes of conduct for the Victorian public sector under the Act.

Codes of conduct guide behaviour within an organisation and are a public statement of how an organisation and its employees interact with the Government, community and each other.

The Act and codes of conduct can be viewed from the State Services Authority web site or by downloading the following documents:

Freedom of Information

Records are held by Wannon Water under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

For details see Freedom of Information.