SA Water’s double success at UDIA awards

SA Water’s committed team and industry-leading focus on diversity have both been recognised with top prizes at the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s SA Awards for Excellency, demonstrating the utility’s strong positive relationship with the South Australian development industry.

SA Water Account Manager of Development Services Debbie Snoswell scored one of the event’s best individual honours, winning the Institute’s Public Sector Award for achievements in the development industry over her 16-year SA Water career.

Joining SA Water as a Land Development Officer in 2003, Debbie utilised her background in customer service to rise up the ranks to the Major Land Development team in 2012.

Seen as a voice for land development customers, Debbie’s focus is on delivering cost-effective solutions which result in benefits for both developers and SA Water.

“I wasn’t really expecting to win given the depth of great people in the development industry, but it’s certainly something I’m proud to have achieved,” Debbie said.

“I’m very appreciative of being recognised with something like this, and equally excited and proud that the hard work and commitment from our team is also recognised by this award.

SA Water was further acknowledged with the Diversity in Development Award for its extensive focus towards reconciliation and gender diversity in the water industry and will now compete at the UDIA’s national awards next year in Sydney.

General Manager of Customer Delivery Kerry Rowlands said the recognition demonstrates SA Water’s real progress in both reconciliation and increasing job opportunities for women in water.

“With 50 per cent of our Board and General Managers being women, we’re leading from the top in championing gender diversity in the industry and will continue to do so,” Kerry said.

“Our focus on gender parity saw us achieve a zero per cent gender pay gap in 2017, which is an incredible achievement considering Australia's gender pay gap at that time sitting at 15.3 percent.

“We’re also making strides in helping close the life expectancy gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with our comprehensive Reconciliation Action Plan delivering employment opportunities, education, training and water upgrades for remote communities, and supporting Aboriginal businesses and employers on our projects.

“These awards are a feather in the cap for SA Water’s ambitious goals of improving gender diversity and reconciliation, and a testament to our people working every day to benefit the lives of our customers and the South Australian community.

The Urban Development Institute of Australia’s National Awards for Excellence will be held on March 19 in Sydney next year.

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