A shared online mapping tool and the provision of real-time data for both planners and field crews are among the first solutions a local council and water authority aim to develop together.

Hunter Water and Lake Macquarie City Council said their signing of a partnership agreement marked the first step of a new integrated approach to doing business between the two organisations.

Lake Macquarie City Council’s CEO Morven Cameron said that while both organisations always had a great relationship at a staff level the agreement makes official their commitment to strengthen the partnership, share learnings and collaborate to improve the delivery of services.

Among the partnership’s initial priorities were the development digital solutions to improve coordination of infrastructure maintenance, leading to better communication between the two organisations and cost savings, she said.

“Looking long-term, it is exciting to be able to share ideas on improving the services we offer to our local communities, such as water resilience, climate change adaptation and water reuse projects,” Ms Cameron told Government News.

The two organisations say they’ll collaborate by sharing resources and information to ensure key infrastructure projects and services are delivered more efficiently.

Hunter Water managing director Jim Bentley said the partnership was a great opportunity to strengthen industry relationships.

“As an organisation we recognise we have more to gain by working together with other major service providers in our community. We’re proud to partner with Council on this new way of doing business and we’re committed to showing how collaboration and learning together can drive success.

“By working together, we expect this will lead to more streamlined services for the benefit of the community.”

Ms Cameron said the initiative highlighted just important it is for local government to collaborate with key industry partners for the benefit of the community and the region.

“Signing the agreement between Hunter Water and Council marks a turning point in ensuring that we not only have improved coordination when maintaining or upgrading infrastructure but also when delivering service improvements and efficiencies to the Lake Macquarie community.

“Both organisations are committed to working with the community to solve complex problems, and it is exciting to be able to share ideas and learn together about how collaboration can improve the services we offer to our local communities,” said Ms Cameron.

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