Transcript Slide 1

Modernisation Implementation
Lessons
An Operational Viewpoint
Geoffrey Enever
Head of Customer Service
Goulburn Murray Water
DM#3662766
WHY?
• To share our experiences and
learning's
• Provide an Operators view of change
• Provide an opportunity to learn
• Provide an offer to share knowledge
and staff
Goulburn-Murray Water
and our customers
Approx 12,000 customers
access water from
• bores (groundwater)
• direct from rivers and streams
(diverters)
14,000 customers in
six irrigation areas
(channel network &
pumped supply)
Other customers
• MDBA
• Other rural and urban
corporations
• Hydro, leases, recreation,
houseboats, licences
Resizing of the Network
• Intention is to have
approximately 3,000km of public
channel network
• Remaining customer to be
connected via private
infrastructure
• Reduced number of Publicly
owned assets
Channel network
Perth
Sydney
The Projects
• Central Goulburn (CG) No 2 Channel
• A TCC Trial
• CG 1-4 project
• Future Flow
• Primarily Shepparton based
• Some work in CG 1-4 and NVIRP early works program
•NVIRP
•GMW Connections
So the lessons –
The “Trial”
• If we could start again!
– Be clear in what we can deliver
– Improved information to the customer
– Concentrate on more training for staff
• Need to be transparent/open
– Probable alterations to historical operating levels
– This was new technology
• Need to be aware and deal with carefully!
CG 1 to 4 Channels
• Had to overcome Negative Customer
feedback of CG2
• Small budget
• Was occurring as NVIRP arrived
– Caused confusion for irrigators
– Different rules for implementation
• Is currently being finalised
• Lesson – Customers do not care who is
funding project! Want consistency.
Future Flow
• Primarily in
Shepparton
– Like for Like
replacement
– Limited opportunity
for rationalisation
– Suffered from
NVIRP presence
and different
rules/funding
NVIRP and GMW
Connections
• An external group working on a live asset
• Different priorities.
– A project to deliver V the ongoing operational
needs
•
•
•
•
Communication needs to be of high level
Customers confused!
Now GMW Connections –no place to hide!
More than modernisation – now
reconfiguring the system
Some Considerations
• Greater education on meter operation and
functions
• Don’t give option for Local Operate
• Need to be transparent/open in possible
alterations to historical operating levels
• Make no promises on what outlet will
deliver (On farm infrastructure can impact heavily)
Some Asset Concerns
• Potential for a single door to “Drown” and reduce
measurement effectiveness
• Regulators designed to deliver flow of 125% of
Capacity. Downstream structures may not handle this
flow.
• Replacement of Multibay regulators with a single or
two doors!
– Will deliver the flow
– Concern that velocity increases and causes disturbance of
silt (Impacts the fruit grower filter)
– Note this is a current concern and still being investigated
Staff Issues & Consultation
• Record, Record, Record
– conversations, discussions agreements
• Train, Train, Train!
• Teach & Share!
• Be up front!
Some other items
• Staff ability to adapt to:
– New technology
– Larger geographical area of responsibility
• Reduced staff numbers!
• Operating “Hybrid” system
• Continuing to train staff in operating a
“Manual” system
• Reduced contact with customers
The Good!!
•
•
•
•
•
System maintains a constant supply level.
Outlets started and stopped as per irrigation order.
Improved quality of life for customer.
Assists with indentifying large water loss and theft.
Improved Health and Wellbeing for staff &
Customers.
• Reduction in outfalls. (Not good for drainage customers!!)
• Faults identified and solution provided quickly
– Many times before customer knows
• Reduced number of field staff.
From Manual to Automation
Thank you for your time
Contact details:
[email protected]
Ph: 03 58 263 633
• Questions ?