AFTER surviving the hard times, Western Water managing director John Wilkinson is leaving the company, knowing it’s in good hands.
After 10 years at the helm, Mr Wilkinson will retire on July 6.
There have been been many changes to the water industry in his 32 years in the field.
“There was 60-odd water authorities [when I started] and they’re now down to 19.
“There has been significant restructuring, major improvements in customer service, massive investments in capital structures, increased standards for customers and [a drive] to be innovative.”
He said the prolonged drought in the 2000s had been the biggest challenge he faced during his time at Western Water.
“We had 13 years of below-average rain and water storages [in the area] were down as low as 2.5per cent and we had to look at different ways to respond to that to provide water to the community.
“A lot of things we have done were innovative at the time. We have linked our systems and made a decision early on to connect with the Melbourne system.
“At the same time, we invested in recycled water [for sports grounds], which at the time was providing real leadership in the industry.
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Water storages in the area are now at 76.8per cent. Western Water covers the Macedon Ranges, Sunbury, Bulla, Melton and Moorabool.
Mr Wilkinson said the business had grown by about 40per cent since he took over the reins.
“The last 18 months we have spent a lot of time planning for strategic growth and this planning has led to the draft water plan.
“We are looking at spending $325million in capital works, which is double what we have done in the past.”
Among the new works is a $5.4million recycled water project in Gisborne. It involves laying 19 kilometres of pipes from the Gisborne recycled water plant, connecting to seven businesses and six private landholdings in Gisborne South.
Mr Wilkinson said he would miss coming to work every day. “I love coming to work and the best thing is the people. There’s a good culture and I’ve received letters in the last couple of days from people I’ve never had contact with, thanking me for the culture at Western Water.”
Former CEO Neil Brennan will take over as Western Water chief from July 9.
