About us

header_faqs.jpg

Yarra Valley Water staff in the fieldWhat we do

Yarra Valley Water was established under the State Owned Enterprises Act 1992 and is subject to the Corporations Act 2001.  Our water and sewerage licence is issued under the Water Industry Act 1994, with the licence term from 1 January 1995 unless and until revoked.
 

Role of the Board

The Board of Directors is responsible for the strategic direction and monitoring of our business on behalf of the shareholder, the State Government. Day-to-day responsibility for operations and administration is delegated by the Board to the Managing Director and his Executive Team.

Members of the Executive Team are invited to Board meetings when their areas of operational responsibility are considered. The Board ensures that our funds are used to deliver the best possible service to our customers and financial returns to our shareholder.
 

Board membership

The Board has seven directors comprising a non-executive Chairman, five non-executive directors and one executive director (the Managing Director).

All directors are appointed by and accountable to the State Government. The Company's Constitution provides for a proportion of the directors to retire by rotation. Retiring directors are eligible for re-election.

As a state-owned company, all shares are beneficially owned by the state of Victoria and the Government of the day controls appointments to the Board. 
 

Board charter

The Board Charter clearly sets out the role, responsibilities and powers of the Board.  

As required by the Charter, the Board undertakes an annual review to compare its performance with the requirements of the Charter and effect any improvements to the Charter deemed necessary or desirable. 
 

Code of conduct

The Board has adopted a Directors’ Code of Conduct based on the Code of Conduct issued by the State Services Authority. 
 

Declaration of private interests

All Directors have completed declarations of private interests.  

All executives, senior managers, officers and contractors/consultants with delegation to approve expenditure in excess of $20,000 are required to complete an annual "Declaration of Private Interests”. 
 

Independent professional advice

The Board has adopted a number of measures to ensure that independent judgement is achieved and maintained.  Directors are entitled to seek independent professional advice on matters relating to the business of Yarra Valley Water at the Company’s expense, subject to the prior approval by the Chairman. 
 

Performance assessment

In accordance with the Board Policy, an externally facilitated performance review of the Board is conducted every two years. 
 

Induction and training

The Board has adopted a training and development policy for Directors. This policy facilitates appropriate training and development opportunities for Directors to enable them to fulfil their role, broaden their knowledge and share this knowledge with the rest of the Board.

All newly appointed Directors are required to undertake an induction program to help them understand their role and encourage fulfilment of their Board responsibilities.  The induction program includes an overview of the Yarra Valley Water business, the water industry and the linkages with Government. 

Directors also attend seminars and the like to broaden their exposure to water industry issues and initiatives. 
 

Board committees

The Board has established the following Committees of Directors to assist it in carrying out its responsibilities and to allow detailed consideration of complex issues.  Each Committee has its own terms of reference, which set out the Committee’s objectives, duties and responsibilities.

At Board meetings, where the minutes of Committee meetings are presented, the Chairman of the Committee highlights key issues under consideration by the Committee.
 

Risk management and audit committee
 

The Risk Management and Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities relating to risk management, the effectiveness of internal controls and the accounting and reporting practices of the Company. The majority of Committee members have financial expertise. 
 

Sustainability, planning, infrastructure and environment committee

The Sustainability, Planning, Infrastructure and Environment Committee assists the Board in reviewing objectives, strategies, policies, compliance, actions, risks and audits in relation to minimising the Company’s impacts on the environment and the effectiveness and efficiency of the Company’s asset management practices in relation to water and sewerage infrastructure.
 

Human resources, remuneration and safety committee
 

The Human Resources, Remuneration and Safety Committee assists the Board in reviewing strategies and policies to ensure that critical actions and plans are in place to implement them and thereby to develop the organisation’s people and fulfilling its duties and responsibilities associated with policy, compliance, risk and audits for Occupational Health and Safety.

 

Legislative compliance

Privacy
 

As a holder of confidential and personal information of our customers, Yarra Valley Water is conscious of the need to ensure this information is protected and to prevent any unauthorised access to, and improper use of, that information.

A privacy policy and code of practice is in place for our employees, contractors and agency staff to ensure that customer information is protected.
 

Whistleblowers protection

Yarra Valley Water has procedures in place to help employees and contractors understand the requirements and obligations under the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001. Officers have been appointed to handle any disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by Yarra Valley Water or its employees.  These procedures are also available to the public at the Company’s Registered Office.
 

Freedom of information

Yarra Valley Water is committed to ensuring information is accessible to customers in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982.