COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Our Response

WaterNSW is taking an informed, risk-based and balanced approach to the evolving COVID-19 scenario.

Our actions and decisions are dictated by three principle objectives:

• To help ensure the wellbeing of our people
• To do what we can as an organisation to limit the spread of contamination of the virus
• To facilitate the continuation of our operations that are essential to the people of NSW

The arrangements we are implementing are precautionary and are based on the latest expert medical advice and directions to all NSW Government agencies, departments and State-Owned Corporations.

While we continue to care for our people, we will also continue to operate to ensure we meet the needs of our communities, customers and stakeholders across NSW.

We understand the need to keep providing open and transparent communications and are working on implementing new ways to communicate with our customers, communities and other stakeholders. This includes new approaches to engaging communities and stakeholders regarding new dam projects, emergency drought projects and operational updates.

1. Public Access to Dams & Recreational Areas

Dams & Recreational Areas

As of 1 June 2020, we will be opening our recreational areas for day use only. These areas include picnic areas, BBQ areas, walking tracks, access to our lakes and public toilets. Please note that our Visitor Information Centre at Warragamba will remain closed.

While we maintain a regular cleaning schedule for public facilities, we ask that visitors come prepared with disinfectant wipes, hand sanitiser and equipment to clean BBQs and wipe down surfaces prior to use.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of our employees and visitors remains our upmost priority and we ask that everyone follow best practice, including:

• Practicing social distancing and keeping 1.5 metres away from each other
• Frequently wash hands with soap or use hand sanitiser
• Wipe down public surfaces, for examples toilet seats, benches, tables and BBQs, with appropriate cleaners before using
• Keep group numbers consistent with COVID-19 advice from the NSW Government

Camping

Our designated camping areas will be closed for overnight camping but available for visitors to enjoy during the day.

Whilst we understand the desire for our campgrounds to re-open, the safety of our employees and our visitors is our upmost priority. We currently do not have the mechanisms in place to enable us to implement an effective COVID safe plan.

We are working towards introducing the necessary systems to safely re-open for camping. We will continue to update our website as changes are implemented.

2. Agile Work Force

WaterNSW promotes flexibility within the workplace and, as such, has the technology and processes in place to support our people working remotely.

All of our office based employees and some of our field-based staff are now working remotely from their homes. Even with this change, all functions and customer services are continuing to operate under different arrangements that ensure individual employee and public safety.

Our employees remain contactable across all our business units and project teams to ensure our ability to deliver on our projects and services.

Working within the Community

To ensure we continue to deliver the services essential to the people of NSW, field-based WaterNSW employees will, on occasion, be required to perform their duties within the community. This may, from time-to-time, include coming into contact with our customers or other community members. To ensure the safety of all parties, we have developed protocols for such instances, available to read here (PDF, 99.23 KB).

3. Public Access

WaterNSW Offices

WaterNSW offices are now closed to help ensure the health and wellbeing of our people and the community.
Despite the office closures, our staff and systems are fully operational and working remotely.

Our Website and Operational Information

Our water operations data remains up to date on our website. If you need to contact us, visit waternsw.com.au or call us 1300 662 077.

3. Travel Restrictions

We are following the latest Government advice and, as such, our employees are only undertaking travel that is necessary for business purposes.

Water Quality Testing

Due to the recommended restrictions on non-essential travel, WaterNSW will regularly review the necessity for travel and data collection across the State. This will result in a reduction of sampling and testing for sites that have been closed for recreational use or are no longer deemed critical for operational purposes.

4. Community Engagement Activities

We are committed to retaining open lines of communication with our customers, communities and stakeholders and over the coming weeks will be implementing new means of communicating.

Details of new engagement approaches will be available on our website shortly.

5. Customer Advice

CAG & ROSSCO Meetings

All scheduled CAG and ROSSCO meetings will continue to take place via online sessions.

Water Licensing Applications

We are endeavouring to deliver the best possible service to our customer, despite the circumstances. However, please be advised that application processing times may be adversely affected.

Our Customer Service Centre is being staffed remotely and is still in operation. Our Customer Service Centre can be contacted on 1300 662 077. Alternatively, you can email us at customer.helpdesk@waternsw.com.au

Assistance with paying your water account

We recognise that COVID-19 is a stressful time. Where you are having difficulties paying your water bill, you should contact us as soon as possible. Click here to learn more about our Debt Management Code of Practice.

WaterNSW remains operational and delivering essential services to our customers, communities and stakeholders.

WaterNSW will continue to monitor the situation and make any adjustments necessary to continue to care for our employees, customers and communities. We thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented events.