WATER Security and Continuity Network (SCN)
Terms of Reference.
SCOPE
The purpose of this group is to bring together state and local governments with
water authorities to consider security, emergency management and business
continuity policies and practices relating to water supply sewerage, irrigation
infrastructure and dam safety.
The Water SCN has the dual function of providing a formalised structure for
government-industry liaison and a network for raising issues and exchanging best
practice advice.
The aims of the Water SCN are to facilitate effective and timely responses to
emergencies which threaten the continuity of safe drinking water supply and
wastewater systems, irrigation and drainage systems and dam safety issues in
Victoria, and where possible, to implement strategies to prevent such
emergencies arising. To achieve these aims the group will:

Advise the Victorian Government on the status of security and emergency
management, including business continuity, for the water sector;

Identify issues impacting on security and emergency management and
opportunities for improvement;

Assist the Victorian Government in the development of relevant security
and emergency management guidance material;

Minimise duplication of effort in the water industry by coordinating a range
of joint planning exercises and testing of preparedness capability and
capacity;

Review outcomes or learning’s from infrastructure and drinking water
supply / sewerage incidents and emergencies to inform future decision
making processes (continuous improvement);
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
The Water SCN is a non-operational group and is not intended to provide a
network to be employed to respond in times of emergency or to be a substitute
for the existing emergency management framework detailed in the emergency
management manual of Victoria.
GOVERNANCE
Chair and secretariat support will be via the Department of Sustainability and
Environment. Meetings to be conducted 6 monthly.
MEMERSHIP
Victorian water corporations
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Department of Human Service
Department of Primary Industries
Victoria Police
VicWater
Water Services Association of Australia as required
Municipal Association of Victoria as required
Chair: Konrad Gill
Program Manager, Critical Infrastructure Protection
Date: 13 March 2008