A new purpose-built facility in Melbourne’s east is set to provide opportunities for people with disability to work with the latest digital water meter technology.
In partnership with global metering and energy provider, Sagemcom, Yarra Valley Water is working to deliver social impact through of its digital water meter upgrades for customers.
Sagemcom has chosen local disability provider Nadrasca to provide testing, logistics, shipping and storage support at a purpose-built facility in Melbourne’s east.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director, Pat McCafferty, said building social procurement into major projects can deliver tangible community benefits.
“At Yarra Valley Water we know our spending decisions can deliver better social outcomes. Our commitment to supporting social enterprises extends beyond our direct spend to suppliers, and this collaboration between Sagemcom and Nadrasca provides meaningful employment and training opportunities that positively impact people’s lives,” Mr McCafferty said.
Sagemcom and Nadrasca staff will work together in a state-of-the-art, secure environment to measure and calibrate digital water meters. Sagemcom will manage testing processes at the facility to meet the certification and audit requirements for digital water meters. The meters will then be collected and installed by technicians across the Yarra Valley Water network, and elsewhere in Victoria.
Yarra Valley Water said it chose Sagemcom through an international tender process. It has been working closely with the global provider for more than a year to deliver a fit-for-purpose digital meter that achieves significant economic and environmental outcomes.
Sagemcom Energy and Telecom Division CEO, Eric Rieul, said Sagemcom and Yarra Valley Water are working together to save water and enhance the way asset networks are managed through digital technology.
“As a mission-driven company, we are committed to helping our partners move towards more environmentally friendly practices,” he said.
“We chose Nadrasca to support us because they are committed to innovation and making a positive impact, and they have the capability and facilities to operate at scale.
Nadrasca CEO, Glenn Hodgkin, said Nadrasca is expanding local employment opportunities and options for the community through the joint operation of this purpose-built facility.
“We will be making a real impact on people’s lives now and into the future with logistics support and security, including preparation and packing of digital meters destined for homes and businesses across Yarra Valley Water’s network,” Mr Hodgkin said.
Nadrasca staff have received training with two-to-three personnel working during standard periods, and up to six during peak periods. Additional Nadrasca staffing will also carry out logistics roles, forklift driving and management oversight.
“This is a great example of social procurement achieving win-win-win outcomes for people, communities and businesses and Nadrasca is excited to be playing a critical part of the future,” Mr Hodgkin said.
Yarra Valley Water has been trialling digital water meters since 2018, starting in Vermont South. Yarra Valley Water’s pilot program will install 25,000 digital meters across Box Hill North, Glen Waverley, Reservoir and Vermont South. In partnership with Sagemcom, the full network upgrade is expected to take approximately seven years, with completion in 2031.
“Developing a long-term social and sustainable procurement strategy has shown how we can help communities thrive while delivering our essential services,” Mr McCafferty said.
“Collaborating with innovative social enterprises like Nadrasca is one way we can live our purpose to support the health and wellbeing of our customers and create a brighter future for communities and the natural environment.”
For more information about Yarra Valley Water’s digital water meter roll-out visit www.yvw.com.au/digitalmeters
