News

The Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources have announced that a total of $40million will be released to the Energy Efficient Communities Program – Dairy Farming Business Grants.

The objective of the program is to;

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Improve energy efficiency practices; and
• Increase the uptake of energy efficient organisations.

The funding will be released over a period of four years with a minimum amount of $5,000 and maximum of $20,000 awarded per applicant.

Examples of eligible activities for funding include;

• Replacement of existing equipment with higher efficiency equipment;
• Energy audits;
• Monitoring of energy consumption and emissions; and
• Installing or replacing existing systems.

The application closing date is August 17 2020.

For more information and application forms click HERE

 
The team at Edith Cowan University’s South West campus is conducting a new research project, with consumers and people working in food supply, to increase understanding of COVID-19’s impact on our food availability and access.
 
Through a community survey, the team aims to understand how COVID-19 might have changed the food community members have bought and consumed their opinion on how food availability and access has been impacted and their perceptions of locally grown food.
 
To support ECU South West, visit Harvey Water’s Facebook page HERE for information on how to participate in the survey or contact Dr Stephanie Godrich from Edith Cowan University South West Campus at sgodrich@ecu.edu.au

With the easing restrictions and implementation of Phase 3 by the WA Government, Harvey Water has decided to reopen office services to customers starting Monday June 8.

Harvey Water is committed to the health and safety of customers, and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, we will be reopening in a staggered and staged approach in line with Western Australia’s Government conditions. Harvey Water asks that for all who wish to enter the office understand and respect the health and safety measures that will be put into place.

The following processes have been included as a condition of reopening:

• Each individual will required to provide a first name, last name, and contact number to assist in contact initiatives should they be required;
• Each individual will also be required to sign in and out with specified times;
• Cashless payment (cash and or cheque payments will NOT be accepted);
• Limiting the amount of customers in the office at any one time to one person.

If any individuals are experiencing the below symptoms or have travelled overseas in the past month, for the safety other customers and employees please do not come to the premises;

• Cough
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath

Due to the strong position of our community in this difficult time we are confident that we can provide a safe and secure environment for both our employees and customers.

As we navigate these restrictions, we recommend that all persons contact Harvey Water on (08) 9729 0100 with any queries.

Harvey Water recently invited firms to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the design of a piped irrigation system for the Collie River Irrigation District (CRID). 
The CRID, largely in Dardanup Shire, comprises of over 200 kilometres of open channels.  Some of the channels are over 80 years old with around 30% of water passing through these channels being lost to leakage, seepage, evaporation, or inefficient delivery practices.
​Upon reaching financial close, the CRID Piping Project would see the delivery of significant on-farm efficiencies and opportunities for agriculture and horticulture through the modernisation of the last remaining open channel area in the irrigated district stretching from Waroona to Dardanup.

Harvey Water received interest from a strong field of EOI applicants seeking to tender for the design and engineering of CRID Piping Project contract.  Collie Water and Harvey Water have shortlisted the following teams (alphabetically): 

• GHD;
• Jacobs;
• Tonkin, Plexus Water & Energy and WML Consulting Engineers consortia. 

Harvey Water’s CEO, Bradd Hamersley, commented “each of the firms shortlisted bring a strong pedigree in irrigation and mechanical infrastructure, we were pleased to see organisations with a strong West Australian and local presence participate”.

The next stage of the CRID Piping Project will see these shortlisted firms invited to submit a proposal for the design scope. 

For further information please contact:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Kate Duzevich, Project Development Manager, Harvey Water: (08) 9729 0100

Harvey Water Irrigators are advised that the Irrigation 2019/20 season will close from 4pm Friday, 15th May. All Districts need to ensure that all surface Irrigation and stock water requirements are completed by this date.

Collie River Irrigation District                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     An out-of-season roster will be implemented for stock water requirements. An SMS notification will be sent advising when your area had been scheduled.                                                                                                   Once you have received a SMS notification, place your stock water order with the OSI ordering system on 1800 998 103.                                                                                                                                                                     Please ensure that you have enough on-farm storage capacity for up to 21 days.
​
Harvey / Waroona Irrigation Districts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Please note your stock water requirements are available 24/7 via your access point on your supply point.

For further information please contact the Harvey Water office on: (08) 9729 0100

Bunbury Geographe Economic Alliance has confirmed the second webinar in the Survive and Thrive series hosted by Venture Pathway and RSM. The webinar will be help on Tuesday the 28th April 2020 at 11am AWST. The webinar is the second in the series aimed at breaking down and explaining both State and Federal stimulus packages and providing practical and actionable steps to ensure individuals get the benefits they are eligible for.
 
This guide to navigating the post-virus business world is a free application hosted by some of WA’s top experts who will reveal insider tips. These include Raj Kale and Dr Tony Pennells; both co-founders of Venture Pathway, and Rami Brass whose the National Head of Tax.
 
The webinar was created in ensuring that available benefits are given to West Australian Businesses, and giving then the opportunity to remain profitable during this economic downturn. For eligible individuals, this package could mean an additional $1,500 per fortnight for up to six months.
 
If you’re still unsure whether you’re eligible or how to apply, register now for Venture Pathway and RSM’s FREE webinar: Job Keeper Payment: Discover if you’re eligible and exactly how to apply for the benefit.
 
Can’t make it? Register anyway and you will be emailed a link to the full recording.
 
For more information and to register visit: https://transcendalliance.clickfunnels.com/optin-rsm1586281909958
​

With the growing impacts of COVID-19, Harvey Water is striving to keep all Members, Customers and Stakeholders updated. The South West Smart Hub is a new resourceful tool focussing on State, Local and National updates, as well as specialised knowledge and data regional Australia should have.
​
Below are only a few articles that may apply to Harvey Water Members and Customers.  Please click on the links provided for more information. 

• Regional Development Australia: COVID-19 Economic response and updates                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           This guide compiles useful information including; Early childhood education and care relief package, job keeper payment, measures to help renters, metal health, and WA Government support.   southwestsmarthub.org.au/regional-development-australia-covid-19-economic-response-and-updates/
• SEGRA - Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (webinar series)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Contactless webinars called "A conversation for regional Australia about COVID-19", allowing individuals to join, share thoughts, understandings and concerns.                                                                                    southwestsmarthub.org.au/segra-sustainable-economic-growth-for-regional-australia-webinar-series/
• South West Business Club                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Hold electronic meetings twice per month for individuals to promote themselves and receive opportunities from local businesses.                                                                    southwestsmarthub.org.au/network-south-west-business-club/
• WA Jobs in food and agriculture                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Current listed jobs provided for job seekers and employers with information.                                                                                                                                                                                                  southwestsmarthub.org.au/wa-jobs-in-food-agriculture/
• Business, family and personal resilience tip sheet series                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Designed to help business leaders, individuals and families maintain good mental, physical and social health.                                                                                                                southwestsmarthub.org.au/resilience/

​For more information and new articles visit www.southwestsmarthub.org.au

The South West Smart Hub has been launched to assist local businesses, communities and individuals to find their feet both during and after the Coronavirus pandemic.
This new website tool has been launched buy the South West Alliance - a collective of organisations involved in economic and community development across public and private sectors.  These stakeholders have rallied to help create a platform where individuals can access information relating to the impacts of COVID-19, and how they can receive assistance from community organisations and Government.

The South West Smart Hub offers;

• COVID-19 updates
• A list of resources available and contact information for local organisations offering assistance

Through the website, individuals can ask questions, as well as see updated State, National, and South West pages proving specialised information to inform and assist business.
The South West Alliance is jointly lead by Bunbury Geographe Economic Alliance (BGEA); a non-for-profit organisation working alongside its members to promote economic growth and development in the Geographe region, and BSW Connect; supporting businesses on their journey and collaborating with relevant service providers to ensure business has access to the necessary tools and information to thrive.
​
In addition to ‘business as usual’ support to agriculture and industry, Harvey Water is taking additional steps to support the region in this difficult time.  Bradd Hamersley, General Manger, chairs BGEA – one of the lead South West Smart Hub partners.  He and other staff make a range of voluntary contributions to regional community and economic development. Harvey Water has maintained and expanded local buying – from patronage of local service businesses through to procurement for significant infrastructure projects.
Together, the South West Alliance is helping to get the South West back up and running through the new South West Smart Hub.
​
Please visit www.southwestsmarthub.org.au
 

​Harvey Water’s focus on improving water delivery systems for Collie River Irrigation District (CRID) Irrigators is now moving to the second stage with an Expression of Interest (EOI) for design services being advertised.
Over recent weeks, all CRID irrigators have been contacted by Harvey Water, and were given the opportunity to have their input into the capacity of potential future piped supply point(s).
The CRID comprises of over 200km of open channels, of which some are over 80 years old. On average 30% of water passing through these channels is lost due to leakage, seepage, evaporation, or inefficient delivery practices.
Harvey Water is extending the opportunity to design teams to submit their EOI on the design of this piped irrigation distribution system that will replace the existing open channels throughout the network. Our focus will be the calibre of the Team put forward by the consultant and their experience.
​
EOI documents can be obtained by contacting Kate Duzevich, Project Development Manager, Harvey Water on (08) 9729 0100 or via email projects@harveywater.com.au.
 
The EOI must be submitted by 4pm on Wednesday 29th April 2020.

​Dear Member / Customer,

Update to Members and Customers:  Office closure from tomorrow.
 
Further to advice last week, Harvey Water would like to inform you that as of tomorrow, Tuesday 24th March, we will be providing services to Members and Customers via the web site (www.harveywater.com.au) and telephone (9729 0100) for;

• Payment of invoices
• Water trading/transfer
• Enquiries

 
The decision to close public access to the office has been made to reduce potential exposure of community members and Staff to COVID-19.  We are still currently working from our Turnbull Street office but recognise this is a rapidly evolving situation. 
 
We again assure water users we plan to continue to deliver our full range of services, either from our offices in Harvey or remotely if required.
 
Please keep an eye on our web site for updates, or contact the office on (08) 9729 0100 should you have any queries.