July 2023 - Sam Samra Award
Shoalhaven Water honoured by peers at Water Management awards
The Sam Samra Award is one of the highest honours a water utility can achieve in NSW, with Shoalhaven Water doing the region proud at the recent Local Government Water Management Conference in Parkes.
In recognition of the highly regarded public servant Sam Samra, the award is bestowed upon a public water utility by judges from Local Government NSW, NSW Water Directorate and the Department of Planning and Environment.
The award is in recognition of excellence in water management, with Shoalhaven Water acknowledged for its role in the development of a new regulatory and assurance framework for the water industry.
Rob Horner, Shoalhaven Water Executive Manager, said he was thrilled the team was being recognised for their work in assisting the Department of Planning and Environment (Water) with a new approach to strategic planning within the water industry.
“This was a collaborative effort between water utilities and the NSW Government where we were given the opportunity to put forward our ideas to ensure the industry operates to best practice," Mr Horner said.
“It’s been important to work with policymakers and regulators to create this change and we’re proud of the work we’ve done to help develop this new framework and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.”
Mr Horner said Shoalhaven Water had a history of achievement, having won last year’s NSW/ACT tap water tasting competition. He praised the Shoalhaven Water team for their passion and commitment to service delivery for the community.
“The Sam Samra Award is an inspiring award to win and we strive to live up to his legacy.”
Pictured L-R: Shaun McBride (Local Government NSW), Ken Keith OAM, (Mayor Parkes Shire Council), Matthew Kidd (Manager Water Asset, Planning & Development, Shoalhaven Water), Jane Shepherd (Director, Local Water Utilities Department of Planning & Environment), Wayne Beatty (Water & Sewer Manager (Strategic), Orange City Council), Brendan Guiney (Executive Officer, NSW Water Directorate).