Water Industry Alliance Smart Water Awards

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:57): Thank you, Mr President. My question is to the Minister for Water and the River Murray. Can the minister advise the chamber about recent achievements in the South Australian water industry and its growing role in raising South Australia's profile around the world?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:58): I would like to thank the honourable member for his most important question. This government's strong focus on water and a great sense of cooperation between industry, research and government is certainly paying great dividends for the state.

The high calibre of expertise and innovation was clearly on show at the 2015 Water Industry Alliance Smart Water Awards which I attended on Friday 22 May. I think this was also attended by the Hon. Michelle Lensink. These awards are a great way to recognise Water Industry Alliance members who have excelled in their field of work. The awards recognise excellence across six categories, reflecting the breadth of innovation and leadership in the South Australian water sector. The winners included:

Sentek for its drill and drop soil moisture, salinity and temperature management solution that has revolutionised soil moisture, fertiliser and salinity management;

Optimatics who, in partnership with SA Water, MWH Global and C3 Global (since acquired by Bentley Systems, I am advised), have developed the innovative distribution optimisation tool;

Primary Industries and Regions South Australia for exceptional leadership at a state and national level in the delivery of the South Australian River Murray Sustainability Program;

MWH Global (in partnership with SA Water, C3 Global and Optimatics) for developing the Predictive and Operational Analytics: Tools for the Adelaide Metropolitan Water Distribution Network;

the Goyder Institute for Water Research for its 'Climate Ready SA Research Project' and for consistently providing high-quality, independent science and new knowledge in the field of water; and

the 2015 Chairman's Award winner, Mr Peter Dillon, for his outstanding contribution to the South Australian water industry.

In addition, both Environmental Water Services and Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources received high commendations for their contribution to the field. I would like, on behalf of at least the Hon. Michelle Lensink and myself, who were both in attendance, to congratulate all the winners and the nominees.

I would like to thank the Water Industry Alliance for once again putting on a great event that encourages professional development and networking opportunities but also fosters a sense of cooperation across the industry. These awards generate and promote a greater awareness of our state's capabilities in the field of water and research and this is certainly paying off.

Our Water for Good policy has received considerable recognition and attention internationally as a highly innovative policy for water security. As a result, many delegations have come to South Australia, I am advised, over the last five years to learn from our experiences. It is a great compliment to our state when the expertise of South Australians is sought out by other countries and regions as a way to solve their own water shortage problems.

Countries such as the United States, India, and China are increasingly looking to South Australia to assist them to address various water issues. Recent media reports for example in both California and the Colorado River Basin have reported an interest in using South Australian and Australian expertise to help solve their looming water crisis. I understand there are some announcements to be made about some excellence in that area in the coming weeks.

We want to capitalise on the interest being shown in our state's expertise across business research and education institutions and government, and that is why we are looking at establishing a model that will facilitate access to key water capabilities across the private sector, across government and research and education institutions. It is clear that the water industry provides an excellent avenue for South Australians and South Australian businesses to broaden their economic and research capabilities, as well as generating additional export and employment opportunities. Once again I would like to congratulate the organisers of the event for a fantastic display of South Australian expertise.