WELS Advisory Group
About WELS Advisory Group
The establishment of the WELS Advisory Group (WELSAG) arose from recommendations made by the 2010 independent review of the scheme's initial five years of operation.
The group will advise the Australian, State and Territory governments on a range of matters including the development of a strategic plan for the WELS scheme for the period 2012-15. The Terms of Reference below set out WELSAG's purpose and accountabilities.
Terms of Reference
1. Purpose
The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Advisory Group (WELSAG) is established to provide advice from stakeholders on the management of the WELS scheme.
2. Authority
The establishment of WELSAG arose from recommendations made in the 2010 independent review of the scheme's initial five years of operation. The Environment Protection and Heritage Council, comprising Ministers from all state and territory jurisdictions plus the Commonwealth, agreed to the establishment of WELSAG in November 2010.
3. Accountabilities
WELSAG is accountable to the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Officials' Group (WELSOG) and provides advice on policy and operational matters including:
- the WELS three-year strategic plan
- possible changes to the scheme including product coverage and the application of water efficiency standards
- communications and marketing strategies
- compliance, enforcement and complaint processes, and
- matters and proposals as requested by WELSOG and/or the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
WELSAG members have set an indicative calendar of meetings at its first meeting. It is proposed the WELSAG will meet three times in their first year and one to two times per year in subsequent years. The WELSAG Chair will attend part of WELSOG meetings to report the Advisory Group's views on the above matters.
4. Term of appointment
WELSAG members are appointed for an initial period of 12 months.
Membership
The members of WELSAG have been appointed from a pool designed to cover a range of key stakeholders including small and large retailers, plumbing products, whitegoods, plumbing regulators, water utilities and consumers.
Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water invited the following individuals to become members of WELSAG. Each person has been appointed individually by the department:
WELSAG Chair
Mr Ian Carmody
Technical Product Advisor
Con-Serv Corporation Australia
Representing small retailer/plumbing business
Based in Brisbane, Queensland
Ms Jo Benvenuti
Executive Officer
The Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre
Representing consumer groups
Based in Victoria
Ms Cilla de Lacy
Manager, Strategy and Policy
Water Services Association of Australia
Representing water utilities Australian wide
Mr Ian McAlister
Executive Director
Consumer Electronics Suppliers' Association (CESA)
Representing whitegoods suppliers
Australia wide
Mr Ian Forte
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Electrolux Home Products
Nomination put forward by Australia Industry Group (AiG) (Australia wide)
Representing whitegoods suppliers
Based in South Australia
Ms Carmel M Coate
Executive Director
Plumbing Products Industry Group (PPI Group)
Representing plumbing products suppliers
Australia and New Zealand wide
Mr Shayne La Combre
Chair
National Plumbing Regulators Forum (NPRF)
Representing Plumbing Regulators
Australia and New Zealand wide
Mr Benjamin Normoyle
Business Development Manager – Whitegoods
Derni Retail
Nomination put forward by Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) (Australia wide)
Representing whitegoods suppliers/large retailers
Based in Sydney
WELSAG Ex-officio:
Mr Graeme Marshall
Assistant Secretary
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Branch
DSEWPaC
Reports from meetings
Communiqué for WELSAG's 5th meeting on Monday 21 May 2012
The WELS Advisory Group (the Group) held its fifth meeting on Monday 21 May 2012 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
The Group approved the record of outcomes from its 4th meeting and were advised on progress with the WELS reform process including outcomes from stakeholder consultations. The Group was advised a public document summarising the outcomes from the consultation process will soon be released on the WELS website. The Group was advised the WELS (Scheme Enhancements) Amendment Bill 2012 is scheduled to enter Parliament this week and were provided a summary of the matters covered in the Bill.
The Group discussed outcomes from the continuous improvement survey. The Group agreed stability of the committee should be maintained by reappointing the current membership, with a view to in future terms replacing half the membership at a time to retain corporate knowledge. The Group agreed that the focus of their work for the coming year will involve providing both business as usual and high level policy advice, and that member composition should continue to serve this diversity of roles.
The Group was given presentations, and invited to comment on, WELS Program matters including registrations, compliance and communications. The Group discussed progress on redevelopment of the WELS database to support new arrangements and focus for compliance activities in the coming year. The Group also discussed feedback from WELS consumer research and progress on redevelopment of the WELS website.
The Group has scheduled its next meeting for 17 October 2012 in Melbourne.
Communiqué for WELSAG's 4th meeting on Tuesday 7 February 2012
The WELS Advisory Group (the Group) held its fourth meeting on Tuesday 7 February 2012 in Melbourne, Victoria.
The Group approved the record of outcomes from its 3rd meeting. The Group was formally advised of Ms Corinne Cheeseman’s (National Manager, Technical Programs Australian Water Association) resignation. The Group agreed at this stage in its life it is timely to undertake a strategic assessment of its progress to date, future activities, composition and operation of the secretariat. Members agreed the secretariat will conduct a survey of members to achieve this assessment.
The achievements of WELSAG to date were noted including contribution to development of the WELS 2012-15 Strategic Plan, advice to the WELS Officials’ Group on scheme matters and advice to Commonwealth, State and Territory Water ministers regarding proposed changes to the WELS scheme and its funding. A meeting between the Chair of WELSAG, Mr Ian Carmody and the Parliamentary Secretary, Senator Don Farrell was also useful in conveying the Group’s advice.
The Group was advised of progress with the current consultation process and provided its views on the consultation paper. Members were provided with a draft presentation for the stakeholder forums scheduled for Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and provided feedback on the proposed arrangements for these forums and the consultation process generally.
The Group has scheduled its next meeting for May 2012.
WELSAG Communiqués - 2011
Contact the secretariat
WELSAG Secretariat:
WELS Policy Section
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
or complete the online form on our Contact us page.
All media enquiries must be referred to the department's media team: media@environment.gov.au or (02) 6275 9880.