Ipswich City Council

Our Framework

Ipswich Water is a commercial business unit of Ipswich City Council (Council), a local government authority incorporated in Australia under the Queensland Local Government Act 1993.

While exhibiting the form of a commercial entity, we remain a part of Council without having separate legal identity. Our business therefore complies with all legislative requirements applicable to Council, as well as any policies and procedures determined by it for the effective conduct of Council business.

Council is also a registered Water Service Provider under the Queensland Water Act 2000, with Ipswich Water being charged with performing all associated responsibilities and functions required by this legislation on Council's behalf. These responsibilities are regulated by the State Government via the Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNRW).

Our Structure

Ipswich Water is a medium to large size Australian water service provider, employing approximately 250 full-time equivalent staff. We comprise a multidisciplinary group specialising in the technical investigations, design and management of water and wastewater industry assets.

Mr Barry Jeppesen leads the Ipswich Water team as Chief Operating Officer, with five branches supporting the management structure:

Water Management Structure

Our Branches

Retail Branch - Customer focus	The Retail Branch manages our customer interface and key customer accounts including corporate communication, service enquiries and implementation of customer programs (Water Efficiency Management Plans, water restrictions etc). It is also responsible for the preparation of strategic communications, customer service strategies and identifying future customer requirements and needs.
Services Planning Branch - Asset investment focus	Prepares an asset management strategy (on behalf of the owner - ICC), which is manifested in a capital works program and an asset maintenance strategy/plan, capable of achieving the required standards of service. This branch engages processes and systems to monitor and manage asset performance, condition, future risk and compliance. Services Planning prepares a three to five year procurement master plan and procurement strategies to ensure corporate objectives can be realised.
Projects Branch - Project focus	The Projects Branch manages the design and construction of capital projects as specified by Services Planning.
Operations and Field Services Branches - Product, system integrity & service focus	Our Operations and Field Services Branches are the lifeblood of our operations, bringing Ipswich Water's service to the customer. The branches are responsible for transport and maintenance of potable water at our high Customer Service Standards, the treatment of wastewater to meet our environmental licence conditions and water specifications for water recycling, and implementation of detailed maintenance plans. Our goal is to meet or exceed our customers' expectations.
Business Services Branch - Commercial service focus	The Business Services Branch develops and maintains efficient business systems and drives cost efficiencies. Essentially, it builds commercial capability into the day-to-day business operations.

Our External Governance Arrangements

Ipswich Water, in accordance with the Queensland Water Act 2000 maintains a Strategic Asset Management Plan, Customer Service Standards, a Drought Management Plan and System Leakage Management Plan. Together these documents outline various performance targets and service levels that are provided to our customers, including an overview of the actions required to ensure continuity of these service standards over time.

External reporting to the regulator (DNRW) occurs annually, with copies of Ipswich Water's Performance Highlights Report made available to our customers for inspection and/or purchase upon request. This external report includes an overview of performance against targets and highlights instances where we may fail to meet identified services levels.

Legislation Relevant to Our Operations

Commonwealth Law	Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Commonwealth Trade Practices Act 1974
State Law	Environmental Protection Act 1994 Environmental Protection Regulation 1998 Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997 Integrated Planning Act 1997 Water Act 2000 Wild Rivers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002 Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003 Health Act 1937 Health Regulation 1996
Codes	Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code 2006 Water Supply Code of Australia WSA 03 - 2002 Dual Water Supply Systems Supplement (version 1.1)
Guidelines	Queensland Water Recycling Guidelines
Australian Standards	AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage AS/NZS 4360 Risk Assessment

Last Updated 3 Apr 2008 |

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