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United Nations recognises Clearwater Program efforts

The Clearwater Program was a finalist at the prestigious United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) World Environment Day Awards in the Excellence in Sustainable Water Management category. This national award celebrates innovative and outstanding environmental programs and initiatives across Australia.

Clearwater was established in 2002 as part of the Victorian Stormwater Action Plan for the purpose of building capacity of local government and industry practitioners to adopt best practice stormwater management. It was initially funded by the EPA, MAV and Stormwater Victoria and soon after, Melbourne Water became a major funding partner and host of the Program.

Clearwater was the first capacity building program of its kind and quickly became recognised as a trusted centre of expertise in capacity building, and a ‘one-stop shop’ for water practitioners.

Throughout its 13-year history, Clearwater has adapted to the latest industry drivers and needs, continuously re-inventing itself in innovative ways alongside an ever-evolving water industry – a key attribute that shortlisted the Program to being a finalist at this year’s UNAA awards.

As IWM emerged as a pathway to achieve more sustainable and liveable communities, the Program has evolved and grown to reflect best practice thinking on IWM. 

A recent Clearwater survey revealed that, even several months after attending a Clearwater activity, 75% of respondents estimated that their knowledge had improved as a result of their participation. And of the people who attended one of Clearwater’s tailored training, 88% said that their organisation had benefitted from their learnings.

The Program is currently engaging with its many customers, conducting in-depth market research to inform its strategic direction and shape its future service offerings to best suit the needs of the water industry. Watch this space!

Clearwater would like to acknowledge its past and present funding partners: