my submission to the Qld Water Strategy

The following is my submission to the community consultation on the Qld Water Strategy, which closes on 29 March 2013, 11.59pm

Queensland's water sector: a 30-year strategy discussion paper


Department of Energy and Water Supply

PO Box 15456

City East Qld 4002



To whom it may concern,





Please find follow a few brief comments addressing the 30 year water strategy discussion paper.



Over the next 30 years, it is increasing likely that rainfall will become more variable and more intense. We are likely to see greater extremes of droughts and flooding rains.



I am concerned about the emphasis in the strategy on "lowest cost". I would like to see a greater emphasis on best value.



There are opportunities for integration of water management that could lead to lower costs.

There is a wholesale move by the Qld State Government towards "light handed" regulation. While I understand the rationale, I am not entirely confident that environmental and public health values can be protected with "light handed" regulation.



That said, I would like to see more demonstration projects and research around new and innovative ways to obtain and deliver water supplies and sewage/trade waste collection and treatment.



The current institutional arrangements for water supply and sewage collection and treatment is not ideal.



I would like to see more vertical integration.



The water sector is currently split horizontally (particularly in SE Qld) along the same lines as the electricity industry into generators and retail/distributors.



This model does not lend itself to integrated water management, across water catchments. In many cases local councils are in a better position to manage the integrated water cycle. Storm water is often neglected as a source of useful water, particularly for industrial reuse, cooling water, irrigation water etc.



I would like to see the retention of the integrity of the regulatory framework (e.g. drinking water quality, environmental protection, public health) while reducing the regulatory burden, by making regulation less prescriptive and move towards performance based or outcome based regulation.



I think water/sewage quality regulation needs to focus on setting criteria that are "fit for purpose".



Self regulation is appropriate when water and sewage treatment plants are run by public sector utilities. I would be very concerned if self regulation applied to private sector (for-profit) utilities.



I think it is entirely appropriate that numerous government departments regulate or have an interest in water and sewerage services including DEWS, Environment, health, natural resources etc.



I think the water business would benefit from geographical catchment based water utilities. In some cases that might been amalgamation of small regional (council utilities). In SEQ, that might mean de-amalgamation of Qld Urban Utilities and Unity Water. Water Utilities should mange the entire water cycle including water supply, stormwater, sewage, trade waste and water recycling.



During the millennium drought (2002-2009), the western corridor water recycling scheme was established. This scheme has never been commissioned for indirect potable re-use.



There would be many benefits from treating sewage effluent for potable reuse.



The advanced water treatment plant at Bundamba could also improve the quality of the effluent that is currently being discharged to the natural environment.



If purified recycled water was used for potable supplies, one would not have to retain so much water in dams. The dams could be operated with lower storage levels and provide greater capacity for flood mitigation.



In terms of innovation, I would like to see the Qld water industry participate in more local projects, to demonstrate the next generation of toilet technologies. As a developed nation, I would like to see us invest in developing technologies that have global implications.



There are 2.4 billion people in the world who lack access to a designated sustainable place to poo. A billion of those people live in Asia/Pacific.



There are a billion people in the world who lack access to adequate drinking water supplies.



The Qld water industry could be developing technologies and service delivery models that meet our own needs. The same technologies may help those in developing communities.



Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the consultation for the 30 year water strategy.



regards,



Rowan Barber      

100 Days

100 Days

On the 19 March 2012, prior to the election, Campbell Newman released his 100 Day Action Plan which was to be a blueprint for the first 100 days of Government. Initially the Newman Government began machinery of Government changes such as disassembling the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

Last week, Premier confirmed his commitment to commence action to implement recommendations of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.

On the 10 April 2012, the Premier committed to act to repeal Labor’s $372 million Industry Waste Levy with the intention of cutting costs for businesses (to take effect from 1 July 2012).  However, ASBG is concerned the Government is cutting it fine.  No waste levy amending legislation has been seen on the Queensland Parliament’s bills list .  ASBG believes that the proposed ‘cost of living Bill’ which may be out this week.  However, due parliamentary process would mean such a bill cannot be enacted before 1 July 2012, hence levy may not be reduced on 1 July.

The Queensland Government has confirmed the levy will be ended on 1 July 2012 with many of the Waste reduction programs suspended due to no levy revenue to support them.  One can still currently find information about the waste levy, how to pay it  Some content such as those programs that the former Government put in place are disappearing off the website.

In correspondence from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, noted ASBG’s concerns about interstate waste being transported into Qld.  Waste receivers on the Gold Coast are particularly vulnerable.  Opposition Environment spokesperson: Jackie Trad was quoted in the Gold Coast Bulletin: “the axing of the levy would turn Queensland into a dump for NSW”.

“The LNP Government's axing of the levy will only encourage interstate businesses to dump their rubbish in Queensland, the only mainland state without a levy on non-domestic waste.”

Minister Andrew Powell intends to explore these policy options more fully and develop suitable approaches in consultation with stakeholders. Provisions of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 allow for the introduction of disposal bans, which is also referred to in Mr Roberts response. Under the existing legislation, the Minister may regulate waste for the purposes of a disposal ban, but only after considering all of the following:

· Prohibition on the disposal of the waste is the most effective point of intervention in the life cycle of the waste;

· Whether there are viable existing or potential collection systems & markets for any benefit that may be obtained from not disposing of the waste;

·      Whether the costs of monitoring, enforcement & market development are proportional to the benefits;

·      Whether voluntary or other measures for the avoidance of disposal have been shown not to be effective;

·      Whether a prohibition on disposal is required to support an accredited product stewardship scheme, a regulated product stewardship scheme or an approved program.

The Minister may also recommend regulation that identifies waste for the preparation of a priority product statement and the use of product stewardship arrangements, to shift the obligation onto waste generators to reduce waste.

However, a ban will not stop wastes crossing the border.  Free trade between states and territories is a cornerstone of the Australia Constitution.  As such a ban must only cover a specific waste type, but cannot discriminate from where that waste came from within Australia, otherwise it would be unconstitutional.

Under s152-153 reporting entities includes landfills and recycling activities as defined under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011.  Such entities must provide an annual report on among other things, waste types and amounts collected and as described under the regulations. Failure to provide a report is $10,000 maximum fine.

There appears no penalty for false or misleading data or reporting. ASBG has considerable issues with the ability of the EHP to police and be able to demonstrate miss-representation of the origin of waste arriving at landfills.  Such monitoring appears to rely on the honesty of the waste deliverers.  If there is commercial interest, the reliability of such information will be questionable

There were been a number of other commitments that are relevant to Environmental Practitioner’s such as:

·  The promised Gasfields Land and Water Commission has been established with John Cotter as its chairman. The Commission’s mission is to rebuild community confidence in and have influence over government processes and decisions on Coal Seam Gas development.

·  On Tuesday 19 June the State Government indicated its intention to terminate the South East Queensland Distribution and Retail Water Reform Workforce Framework 2009 as at 30 June, 2012.

On the 24 June, Premier Newman used a $45k sixty second spot, to urge one to read former Treasurer Peter Costello's interim commission of audit report on the Qld economy. So what happens if the levy is not repealed on 1 July 2012?  It would make for considerable confusion in the waste industry with many customers of landfill wondering why they are still paying the $35/t levy

ASBG are running:

·         Contaminated Land Conference on 18 July 2012

·         Environmental Management Workshop on the 19 July 2012 to bring Managers up to speed on changes to Environmental Law.

water efficiency

One can be proud of the fact that we (as a society) made some wholesale behavioural changes and achieved a permanent reduction in water consumption (and wastewater generation).

The newly elected Qld Government is reviewing red tape and promising to reduce the cost of water for consumers.

Within the next 76 days the LNP Government proposes to appoint the Gasfields land and water Commissioner to better oversee the relationship between rural landholders and the CSG industry. At the same time, the Qld Government shall start processes to amalgamate bulk water entities as part of their Four point plan to reduce water prices.

The future of the Queensland Water Commission (QWC) is under a shadow. The regulation and legislation for home and business water efficiency may be revoked by the new Qld Government in an attempt to be seen to be cutting Red Tape. The QWC is an independent, statutory authority established by the previous Qld Government. The QWC is (or was) responsible for achieving safe, secure and sustainable water supplies in South East Queensland and other designated regions.

The draft Position Paper – The Case for Water Efficiency - has been developed by members of the Australian Water Association (AWA) Water Efficiency Specialist Network Committee to advocate for the continued role of water efficient policies and practices in Australia’s future urban water supply and demand management.

The Position Paper makes the argument that water efficiency is a necessary and effective way of maintaining a secure water supply into the future and should be a high priority in a suite of measures to achieve water security.

The case for water efficiency, will be presented and discussed at the AWA’s Ozwater'12 Water Efficiency workshop The Future Role of Water Efficiency in Australia: Developing and Promoting a Common Approach.

The LNP Government is making plans to write down or write off (so-called) non-performing water grid assets.

There does not appear to be any appetite in the LNP for commissioning the Western Corridor water purification scheme for the purpose it was designed and constructed.

Draft Sustainable Business Weekly - Qld Edition

A State of Flux

Environmental Law in Qld (& Australia is in a tremendous State of flux.

This week, the Qld Government had its first Cabinet meeting, since the recent State elections.

The newly elected Premier of Qld: Mr Campbell Newman was also in Canberra this week meeting with in the lead up to a meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).. One of the topics of discussion was the reduction of Environmental Regulation.

Green Tape

The Federal Government hosted discussions with the COAG Business Advisory Forum in Canberra with alleged business Leaders & State Governments.

The red (& green) tape reduction reform process was a key topic of the inaugural meeting.

State & territory governments would get a bigger say in environmental approvals to fast-track major projects under a deal to go to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) this week.

The commonwealth will retain responsibility for World Heritage and "high-risk projects". Currently any company proposing a major development such as a mine, port, rail line or tourist project must meet state & federal environmental rules, which can tie up the project for years.

The former Qld Government’s Green Tape Reduction program has been sent back to square one. The newly elected Government is setting out to “streamline environmental protections”

Mr Newman said the new Queensland position was one of “competitive federalism” but again no one seems to know what the implications are for Environment Protection.

Premier Campbell Newman has rejected suggestions that widening the gap between regulatory systems in different states would actually make it more expensive for businesses to operate across borders.

While the Premier supports a harmonised approach to various forms of regulation, he is advocating that Qld stand up & decide to out-compete other states.

As for cutting "green tape", Mr Newman believed discussions in the pre-COAG business forum did not go far enough.

The Premier wants the Federal Government to delegate the powers of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to the states.

He complained that the Federal Government kept "coming over the top" of the Queensland Government to delay major resource and tourism projects.

Carbon Tax - High Court Challenge

Mr Newman is seeking legal advice on whether it can fight the carbon tax as unconstitutional.

He expects to get that in the next few weeks. He had spoken to at least one other premier about possibly joining together in a High Court challenge.

Mr Newman said Cabinet also looked at some options to address the issue of high electricity costs for Queenslanders.

As a first action, the LNP government will legislate to ensure carbon tax costs can be displayed on Queenslanders’ electricity bills by 1 July to coincide with the introduction of the Carbon Tax.

Repealing the Waste Levy

Repealing the former Qld Government’s Waste levy was on the agenda of the first Cabinet Meeting of the new Government.

The Waste Levy introduced in December 2011 is being repealed by 1 July 2012 as part of the action plan to deliver the LNP’s Lower Cost of Living for Families Package for Queenslanders.

Premier Campbell Newman said cost of living in Queensland had skyrocketed under Labor and the LNP Government’s focus was to act immediately to start addressing cost of living issues.

Campbell Newman described the former Government’s waste levy, as a huge slug on businesses, families & councils.

His Government will be looking at alternative funding streams to deliver an industry driven waste strategy as part of the budget process.

Bulk Water Prices

Following Cabinet consideration, the Queensland Water Commission & Treasury have been asked for an accelerated review of bulk water prices, with options for a new price path to be brought back to Cabinet by 31 May 2012.

Gladstone Harbour

Gladstone Harbour seems to be the test case for the new Qld State Government’s approach to Environmental regulation in Qld.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney expressed his desire to annex Gladstone Harbour from the Great Barrier Reef marine Park.

Will the ALP or the LNP get their shit together?

The institutional arrangements for the delivery of water & sewage treatment services are in a state of great flux.

It remains to be seen if either the Labor Party or the LNP (or any of the minor parties) can offer some rational solutions for restructuring the water sector in South East Queensland.

As a first world country, we have more complicated arrangements than most developing communities.....but we still can't get our shit together.

As a society, we flush and forget. The only reminder we get is the water utilities bills (which are now capped at CPI)...

We have fragmented service delivery & we are still dumping (treated) sewage effluent into Moreton Bay, while the infrastructure for water recycling (at Bundamba) is running on idle.

Here is a Statement from Energy and Water Utilities The Honourable Stephen Robertson

Will the LNP support water legislation?

Water Utilities Minister Stephen Robertson said the time had come for LNP Leader Campbell Newman to come clean on whether or not he expects Logan and Redlands ratepayers to share the cost of disestablishing Allconnex. Mr Robertson also called on Mr Newman to reveal how he plans to pay for his as yet un-costed four point water plan. The South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill is scheduled to be debated in Parliament today. Mr Robertson said residents in Logan and Redlands deserved to know whether or not the LNP will support the Bill which will hold Gold Coast City Council accountable for these costs. "It was Gold Coast City Council which put its hand up last year to divorce from Allconnex and in doing so agreed to pay the compensation costs of disestablishment to Redland and Logan Councils," Mr Robertson said. "All three Councils support this Bill, the Bligh Government supports this Bill but where does the LNP stand? "For the past 11 months Mr Newman has failed to reveal any detail of his position when questioned by journalists and the Councils. "He's got a slogan 'to give Councils their water businesses back', but he won't say how he would do this and who is going to pay for it. "Time and time again Cagey Campbell has proven incapable of answering the tough policy questions. "No more slogans Mr Newman, Queenslanders deserve answers, particularly Logan and Redlands ratepayers on this issue." The Bligh Government introduced the legislation into Parliament in October last year in order to formalise the three councils' decision to disband Allconnex, and take back their water businesses. The Bill provides a fair and transparent process for ensuring that Logan and Redlands City Councils are not financially penalised as a result of the decision to withdraw from Allconnex.

Damon and Amanpour Tackle the Global Water Crisis

Damon and Amanpour Tackle the Global Water Crisis

29 November, 2011

Christiane Amanpour took on the global water crisis Sunday, on ABC’s “This Week”. The interview starts with Amanpour sharing startling statistics such as a child dies every 20 seconds from lack of access to safe drinking water. To address this crisis, Water.org co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White are working to bring safe drinking water to people across the world.

Damon was first inspired to get more involved with water when he met a young girl in rural Zambia. On their walk to collect water, Damon inquired what the girl planned on doing when she grew up, to which she responded she would go to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, to be a nurse. Damon realized after the interaction that the girl was only able to think about working in Lusaka due to the nearby borehole, which provided water so close to her home. This borehole allowed for the girl to attend school instead of spending her life searching for water.

As a father of four girls, Damon is particularly interested in finding a solution to the global water crisis which sentences millions of young girls around the world to be used as water infrastructure. In the interview, Damon and White explain how the water crisis can be solved in part through market-based solutions, such as water credit, a micro-financing loan system. Water.org’s water credits make it affordable for families to build toilets or connect water to their homes. The water connections bring water security to homes allowing women and girls to spend more of their time at school and at work, instead of fetching water and suffering from preventable waterborne disease.

One of Damon and White’s biggest obstacles is bringing the water crisis home to the United States. Damon often uses his celebrity status to inspire people to care about water, since most Americans cannot fathom going a day without safe drinking water. Learn more about how Damon and White are showcasing the positive impact of investing in water by viewing the full interview on “ This Week”.

Ana Kolodzinski

akolodzinski@WASHinitiative.org

703-795-1588

The Case for Purified Recycled Water

The Case for Purified Recycled Water

Today the Qld State Government received the Interim Report of Flood Commission of Inquiry & committed to implementing every one of the 104 recommendations. There are around 30 recommendations pertaining to the operation of dams as flood mitigation and/or potable water storages.

What is missing from the recommendations is the most obvious solution to balancing the need to mitigate floods and the need to store water for potable water supplies: indirect potable reuse of purified recycled water.

If the State Government was to close the loop (to some extent) by returning purified recycled water to Wivenhoe Dam, it could reduce the amount of water in the dam by over 50%.

The State Government spent billions of $’s to build the infrastructure required for indirect potable reuse. This infrastructure includes three world-class advanced water treatment plants—located at Bundamba, Gibson Island and Luggage Point—and more than 200 kilometres of pipeline. Most of this infrastructure is running on idle.

While recycling water provides an obvious solution to securing water supplies for SE Qld, there are added benefits. Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment Plant has the capacity to treat the reverse osmosis concentrate, to remove phosphorus and nitrogen before being discharged into the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.

The discharge releases from the advanced water treatment plants would result in much lower nutrient levels into the environment than current discharges from existing wastewater treatment plants, IF the State Government operated these plants as they were designed.

While we should be reducing water consumption, we should also recycle the waste water that we do generate.

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [The case for IPR, Gold Coast Water, Clean Energy]

The Case for Purified Recycled Water

Today the Qld State Government received the Interim Report of Flood Commission of Inquiry & committed to implementing every one of the 104 recommendations. There are around 30 recommendations pertaining to the operation of dams as flood mitigation and/or potable water storages.

What is missing from the recommendations is the most obvious solution to balancing the need to mitigate floods and the need to store water for potable water supplies: indirect potable reuse of purified recycled water.

If the State Government was to close the loop (to some extent) by returning purified recycled water to Wivenhoe Dam, it could reduce the amount of water in the dam by over 50%.

The State Government spent billions of $’s to build the infrastructure required for indirect potable reuse. This infrastructure includes three world-class advanced water treatment plants—located at Bundamba, Gibson Island and Luggage Point—and more than 200 kilometres of pipeline. Most of this infrastructure is running on idle.

While recycling water provides an obvious solution to securing water supplies for SE Qld, there are added benefits. Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment Plant has the capacity to treat the reverse osmosis concentrate, to remove phosphorus and nitrogen before being discharged into the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.

The discharge releases from the advanced water treatment plants would result in much lower nutrient levels into the environment than current discharges from existing wastewater treatment plants, IF the State Government operated these plants as they were designed.

While we should be reducing water consumption, we should also recycle the waste water that we do generate.

Gold Coast City takes back its Water Utility

The Qld State Government will not stand in the way of Gold Coast City Council’s decision to split from its water business Allconnex.

The State Government will respect the Gold Coast City Council’s decision and now they need to live with the consequences.

The State gave South East Qld councils the opportunity to take back their water businesses so they could take some responsibility for the ongoing blame game for water pricing.

Gold Coast City Council will now have to prove to their ratepayers that they can provide water cheaper by taking back the water business.

The Gold Coast City Council will be required to provide a price mitigation plan to the State Government by 1 August. This plan must be published by 1 September 2011.

The State Government has already introduced a CPI cap on water prices over the next two years and recently announced a proposal to allow Councils to have representation on their water boards.

Clean Energy Legislation

Last week the Australian Federal Government released the drafts of the key bills forming the Clean Energy Legislative Package. In the coming months the Government will introduce these bills to Federal Parliament. The release of the legislation is a key milestone, but the devil is in the detail.

ASBG is currently working with Norton Rose and other ASBG members to analyse what the Clean Energy Future Plan will achieve & what impacts it may have on ASBG members.

The Australian Federal Government’s plan is intended to cut carbon pollution and drive investment in clean energy technologies and infrastructure.

The package includes a price on greenhouse gas emissions and a series of grants & subsidies. It also sets out how the price on pollution will be run, and what businesses will have to do. The intention of the price on pollution is to make energy produced from polluting fuels cost more than energy produced by clean technology. The intention is to create incentives for companies to invest in cleaner energy.

It is clear that the Federal Government perceives that gas is a “cleaner” fuel than coal.

The Federal Government is trying to preserve or protect jobs in some sectors by providing for assistance to emissions intensive and trade exposed industries through the Jobs and Competitiveness Program.

The most emissions-intensive, trade-exposed activities will initially be eligible for free permits representing 94.5 per cent of industry average carbon costs.

This will apply to manufacturing activities like aluminium smelting, steel manufacturing, flat glass making, zinc smelting and most pulp and paper manufacturing activities.

Activities which have lower levels of carbon pollution, such as some plastics and chemical manufacturing, tissue paper manufacturing and ethanol production will be eligible for free permits to cover 66 per cent of the industry average carbon costs.

Liquefied Natural Gas projects will also receive a supplementary allocation to ensure an effective assistance rate of 50 per cent.

The plan is to provide land holders access to new income opportunities by linking the carbon price to the Carbon Farming Initiative and to credible schemes overseas.

Paperless Office?

Are you reading the Australian Sustainable Business Weekly on a screen or on a piece of paper? Where does your paper come from?

water, Surat Basin, Carbon, Energy Efficiency

Product Stewardship Bill Passed

The Product Stewardship Bill 2011 was passed by the Parliament on 22 June 2011. This legislation provides the framework to manage the environmental, health and safety impacts of products, and in particular those impacts associated with the disposal of products. The framework includes voluntary, co-regulatory and mandatory product stewardship. For more information see the Australian Government Website.

Ending the Water Blame Game (again)

This year there has been an ongoing blame game between the State Government, Councils & the Council owned Utilities over who is responsible for water price rises.

The Qld Government has proposed amendments to the SEQ Water (Distribution & Retail Restructuring) Act 2009 (DR Act) to allow sitting councillors, including Mayors, to sit on the Board of their water distributor-retailer.

In an Estimates Committee Hearing Minister for Energy and Water Utilities Stephen Robertson said the Governments decision ensured councils would have more immediate access to and involvement with the strategic decision-making process of their water businesses.

The proposed amendments are another attempt to diffuse the tension between the Qld State Government and the local councils by surrendering more control and direct involvement with water distributor-retailer business.

This will put an end to Councils continuing to label their council-owned water businesses as private entities.

The proposed amendments would not alter the current legislative requirement that the councils appoint the Board members.

However the current associated employee provisions which enable a council employee to be appointed to the Board will be removed

Under the proposal:
• the minimum number of Board members would be five
• the maximum number of councillors would be three;
• no council would have more than one councillor on a Board;
• councillors would be appointed within two months of local government elections;
• councillors would be appointed for a maximum term of four years;
• vacancies that arose must be filled by a councillor from the council where the vacancy occurred;
• the Chair of the Board cannot be a councillor.

It should also be clearly understood that the Boards role itself will not alter and it will continue to be responsible for ensuring the distributor-retailer performs its function and exercises their powers in a proper, effective and efficient way.
The Government would progress these amendments in early 2012.

The Surat Basin Future Directions Final Report

This week the QLD State Government released the Surat Basin Future Directions Statement Final Report. A year on from the release of the Surat Basin Future Direction Statement, the Qld Government has attempted a series of initiatives that address the challenges and opportunities stemming from the new multibillion dollar energy industry.

The Surat Basin is currently experiencing growth unlike any other region of Queensland, largely due to the expanding energy and resource sector.
The Qld State Government is trying manage this growth in the Surat Basin. The mining & energy boom, is often in conflict with the interests of residents, farmers, other industries and the local community..

The Qld Government is determined to learn from their experiences (mistakes) in the Bowen Basin and improve their approaches to the pressures of fast growing communities.

This collaborative approach between community, industry and Government has resulted in clear strategies to address the critical needs of the Surat Basin region including:
- planning and settlement patterns;
- economic development;
- skilled labour & workforce development;
- housing availability;
- transport;
- strategic cropping land;
- land access;
- coal seam gas water management;
- social impact management plans.

The Surat Basin Future Direction Statement Steering Committee includes members from local government, industry, agriculture, major employers, unions and the Commonwealth Government.

For more information on the Surat Basin Future Directions Statement visit www.regions.qld.gov.au

Confused about the carbon tax?

There is a great deal of mis-information about the price on pollution. Norton Rose have put together a good snap shot of where things are at. For more information see their website.

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Workshops Coming to Brisbane

The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism has announced the next series of Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) national workshops to be run in Brisbane on the 31 August & 1 September 2011. The workshops will focus on the second assessment cycle, which will begin for many corporations on 1 July 2011. On the first day they will discuss what requirements will be different in the second cycle, and what companies & the Department have learned about how to plan and do successful assessments.