USQ sustainability expert joins water reference group

Professor John Cole invited to join the Queensland Urban Utilities Customer and Community Reference Group

USQ through its Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development (ACSBD) will provide expert advice to South East Queensland’s largest water utility, covering Brisbane, Ipswich, the Scenic Rim, Somerset and Lockyer Valley.

ACSBD Director Professor John Cole has been invited to become a member of the newly formed Queensland Urban Utilities Customer and Community Reference Group, which will work closely with the water business to improve customer and community outcomes.

As the only university represented in the group, Professor Cole said USQ was well positioned to provide advice given the geographic span of Queensland Urban Utilities which covers much of the same catchment as USQ in south east Queensland.

'One of the key topics discussed at the first meeting of the group was customer service standards,' Professor Cole said.

'Comments taken from the group will now feed into a submission to the Queensland Water Commission on a proposed new water and wastewater customer code.'

Queensland Urban Utilities Chief Executive Officer Noel Faulkner welcomed Professor Cole and to the 11-member group.

'Our Customer and Community Reference Group is one of a number of ways we are keeping in touch with our customers and listening to their needs and expectations,' Mr Faulkner said.

'We want to make sure our plans to make Queensland Urban Utilities a leader in water and wastewater services meet the needs of our customers and the broader community.'

The Customer and Community Reference Group includes a cross-section of community representatives, each with strong local links and networks.

Mr Faulkner said the members were also a good mix from across Queensland Urban Utilities service territory.

'We have residential and commercial customers, as well as members from peak bodies and community organisations representing community and social welfare, property and development, environment and primary production sectors,' Mr Faulkner said.

The reference group will provide advice and input on a range of topics, emerging issues and initiatives.

'The successful nominees came together for their first Group meeting (on Monday 29 November) and have already demonstrated their intention and ability to proactively engage and represent their community’s interests,' Mr Faulkner said.

'We look forward to their continued involvement as partners in our business.'


Reference Group includes:

Professor John Cole – Director, Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development, USQ

Julie Aganoff – Director, Client Service Development, Lifeline Community Care Queensland

Matthew Austin – Queensland General Manager, Spotless Services Ltd

John Cherry – Executive Director, South East Queensland Council of Mayors

Bruce McBryde – President, Property Owners’ Association of Queensland

Ed Parker – residential customer and instrumental in establishing a number of environmental groups in Brisbane’s Centenary area.

Linda Parmenter – Manager, Low Income Consumer Advocacy Unit, Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS)

Susanne Ruijs – Committee Member, Regional Development Australia, Ipswich and West Moreton Committee

Vera Somerwil – President, Goodna / Redbank Branch, National Seniors

Scott Wallace – Land and Water Delivery Manager, Growcom

Martin Zaltron – Director Policy, Urban Development Institute of Australia (Qld)

Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0438 309 096