Our Organisation
Southern Rural Water (SRW) was formed on 1 July, 1995 when the Rural Water Corporation was dissolved.
We are a water corporation owned by the State Government. Southern Rural Water is governed by a Board of Directors, who are appointed by the Minister for Water.
Our business – a quick overview
We have approximately 160 staff based in offices across the state from Hamilton to Bairnsdale.
Southern Rural Water:
- Operates irrigation districts at Maffra, Bacchus Marsh and Werribee
- Manages seven major dams
- Licences groundwater users and river diverters across the southern half of Victoria
We supply water to support agricultural production, electricity generation, country towns and cities, and rural and urban businesses.
Our revenue is about $28 million per year and we have assets valued at around $1.23 billion. We have over 10,000 customers.
Senior staff
Clinton Rodda
Managing Director
Clinton joined Southern Rural Water in 2005 after spending 17 years in the utilities sector and 10 years in management consulting. Clinton has previously held senior management roles with Energy Brix and Eastern Area Power Grid, and has worked nationally and internationally as a consultant. Clinton holds a Bachelor of Business, a Master of Business Administration, a Diploma in Ontological Coaching and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Paul Byrnes
General Manager Technical Services
Paul joined Southern Rural Water in 1999 having held technical positions in a number of rural water authorities. He brings a strong background in water and asset management. He has had a lead role in establishing strategic reviews of the irrigation districts and in implementing major water saving projects. Paul holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Graduate Diploma in GIS and Remote Sensing and a Graduate Certificate in Water Engineering.
Lincoln Eddy
Manager Strategy and Performance
Lincoln joined Southern Rural Water in 1997 as a Project Accountant and has held numerous positions. He was appointed Manager People and Performance in late 2009 and most recently at Manager Strategy and Performance in 2014. He previously worked in the education sector and has experience running his own business. He has a Bachelor of Business.
Jo Giannini
Manager People and Culture
Jo joined Southern Rural Water in 2017 having held senior human resources positions in the community services and disability sectors. She brings a strong background in organisational development and employee relations. She holds a Bachelor of Business (Human Resources).
Craig Parker
General Manager Customer Service
Since coming into the water industry in 2000, Craig has worked from field officer to executive levels across all of our regions. Craig has also acted as CEO at the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, adding a new perspective to his management of water resources. As General Manager Customer Service, Craig is committed to better customer outcomes in all parts of the business. This includes making water trading more accessible, making transactions such as renewals cheaper and easier, and customers accessing their own data to help run their business. In addition, Craig is accountable for ensuring our modernised assets lead to increased service opportunities for customers. Craig is a member of the AICD and has business qualifications from Mt Eliza Business School and UQ.
Bernadine Phelan
Communications and Engagement Manager
Bernadine joined SRW in January 2017, bringing more than 30 years’ experience in journalism, communications, engagement and corporate development. She started her career in Australia and held senior management roles for a global media group in the UK for 19 years. Since returning to Gippsland in 2007, Bernadine has worked across Australia as an integrated media consultant, including for the water, natural resources and education sectors and a Traditional Owners/State Government joint project.
Michael Piko
Chief Information Officer
Michael started with SRW in March 2017. He comes from Murray Irrigation and has many years of experience as a CIO within the water industry. Prior to that he worked in the health industry and at Latrobe University. Michael has a strong background in IT strategies and understands the needs of rural customers.
Stuart Wrigglesworth
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
Having grown up on a family farm supplied from the Macalister system, Stuart joined Southern Rural Water as Finance Manager in late 2005 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in March 2011. He has 6 years’ experience working in professional practice for PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Melbourne and South Africa, as well as over 5 years in the UK working in Finance and Accounting roles for a number of commercial and public sector businesses. Stuart holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.