Talison Lithium, winner of the South West Ngwayir Award (pronounced “na-wa-yeah”) for 2021 has donated the $1700 award to the Bridgetown Family and Community Centre (BFCC). The Ngwayir Award was developed by CME’s South West Environment Forum (SWEF) to celebrate the resource sector’s success, showcase innovation and share best-practice in the environment and sustainability fields.
Talison Lithium won the 2021 award for the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) project at its Greenbushes Lithium Operation. The WTP assists Talison meet its water needs while preserving environmental water quality and hydrological regimes.
Bruce Vernon and Chantelle McKay from Talison Lithium and Anita Logiudice from CME, met with Jenni Oliver from BFCC to hand over the Ngwayir award. Bruce explained that Talison Lithium chose the BFCC as the award recipient because “they provide an important community service, strengthening community connections, providing opportunity for collaboration and empowering the community via education. Since the majority of the Talison workforce live in the Bridgetown and Greenbushes area, the BFCC is an important resource for the broader community and the Talison workforce”.
The BFCC will be using the funds to engage a facilitator from Living Smart (https://livingsmart.org.au/) to provide community education on practical sustainability solutions for their homes, with modules focusing on: water, power, waste, simple living, gardening for food, transport, healthy you, gardening for biodiversity, healthy homes and community.
Jenni was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the BFCC. “The generous funding from the Ngwayir Award and Talison Lithium will allow us to fund a number of the short modules free of charge to participants.”
The 2022 Ngwayir Awards will open for nomination in May 2022.
Pictured above: Jenni Oliver (BFCC), Bruce Vernon (Talison Lithium) and Chantelle McKay (Talison Lithium) with Anita Logiudice from CME
Expressions of Interest Sought for CME’s Water Interest Group
At the most recent Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) Water Resources Reform Reference Group (WRRRG), Water Minister Dave Kelly re-affirmed the WA Government’s commitment to water reform. He said a Bill was being drafted and it was the government’s intention to have a finalised draft Bill for consideration by Parliament during this term of government. Subsequent advice indicates it is likely that consultation on reformed water legislation would occur in the first half of 2022 in order to meet parliamentary timelines.
As a consequence, CME is seeking expressions of interest from members with an interest in water management and its associated legislation to join CME’s Water Interest Group.
CME previously engaged this member group to inform past water reform proposals however, due to the time elapsed since then previous reform attempts, it is important for membership of this group to be refreshed. It is expected that this group will report through to both CME’s Environment Committee and Economics and Productivity Committee.
As new water legislation will cover a wide range of issues and disciplines including, but not limited to, water security and sustainable use, catchment management, licensing, environment, Aboriginal cultural interests, property rights, water transfers, pricing and water quality, it is intended the Water Interest Group will have a broad range of members from various different technical backgrounds.
If you are interested in nominating for CME’s Water Interest Group, please email b.bell@cmewa.com with your role title and a short description of your role / water interest as soon as possible. Individuals are also strongly encouraged to confirm their nomination with their company’s CME Senior Representative.
CME Welcomes New Senior Advisor – Environment & Sustainability
CME recently welcomed Anita Logiudice to the role of Senior Advisor – Environment & Sustainability. Anita has worked in the WA resources sector for more than 20 years in various operational environment and sustainability roles. Anita will be based in CME’s Perth and Bunbury offices.
Anita understands the unique opportunities and challenges the resource sector and member organisations are faced with during a period with significant Federal and State legislative change: “I’m looking forward to working with members and stakeholders to advocate for the sector and showcase the many innovations implemented by member organisations in the environment and sustainability fields.”
Contact: Anita Logiudice, Senior Advisor – Environment & Sustainability
Email: a.logiudice@cmewa.com
