Diving into the water industry

Having been the Chief Executive of the Australian Water Association (AWA) for just over a month, my steep learning curve on the water industry has become apparent. However, I do have a clear direction for where the association is heading and what we should be doing to assist the Australian water industry.

Water will remain a major global issue and Australia has the capacity to lead innovation and knowledge in the sector. However, locally we need to ensure that the water sector is united in order to tackle our own challenges.

The water sector needs to present well-researched positions on national and state policy issues affecting our industry. This means working with our members and key stakeholders to ensure we look at the science behind issues, and the commercial and environmental solutions required to expand the water industry. It also means AWA needs to provide a platform to shape and encourage active debate and knowledge transfer on water issues.

In the coming months you will see the association come out on the front foot on some of the key issues facing the industry. I believe we need to ‘get off the fence’ on some issues to benefit the members of AWA. If AWA does not take the lead to represent the private sector, the vacant gap can be filled by people who are not adequately skilled leaving the water sector under-represented and marginalised.

As a newcomer to the industry, I have noticed that the institutional architecture that governs water management and distribution across the states and the Commonwealth does nothing to enhance the sector’s productivity. The variable models of regulation, enforced reductions in the cost of living and the varying degrees of corporatisation all have an impact on the sector’s productivity. These variations complicate the processes for private sector suppliers and often disguise the true costs of delivering water to consumers.

The water industry needs to address the issues of improved skills capacity, new markets, regional development and a range of broader challenges to shape the industry for future prosperity.

A united industry that works collaboratively will have the flexibility and innovation to deal with the challenges for the water industry both in Australia and overseas markets. This includes the rise of new resource exploration - including unconventional gases. The water sector needs to start thinking of ways to further its advantage by working with the mining industry to develop new ways of treating the wastewater being discharged for the sustainable benefit of the wider community.

Ultimately, AWA has a significant role in representing the industry and facilitating new solutions to build a confident water sector.

Background:

Jonathan McKeown commenced his career as a commercial lawyer with Mallesons solicitors in Melbourne. He worked in a variety of areas including mergers and acquisitions, mining and resources, and finance and banking. He then transferred to business, gaining 25 years of commercial experience in establishing and consolidating businesses across Asia and the Middle East.

Jonathan has advised more than 200 companies in developing business in Asia while managing offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Tokyo and Amsterdam.  His international project management skills have been acquired through significant development projects (including water projects) across Asia and the Middle East, all requiring regular interaction with senior levels of governments, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Management experience in industry associations has been acquired in roles that include Director of Trade Business Services at the Chamber of Manufactures (now known as Australian Business Chamber) and Chief Executive of the NSW Farmers Association.

As a management consultant, Jonathan has been based in Bangkok for the last seven years, specialising in productivity improvement, strategic planning, corporate restructures, and acquisitions and joint ventures across Asia and Australia. He brings detailed practical experience of the challenges of conducting business across borders and cultures with a direct exposure to the fast-changing demands of the Asian markets.

Jonathan McKeown commenced work as CEO of the Australian Water Association at the end of May 2013.