Katherine hosts ESOs

17 Aug 2011

ESOs play a vital part in remote Indigenous communities in keeping power, water and sewerage services running in challenging environments.

This week Power and Water is hosting 25 ESOs from different remote Indigenous communities for a three-day essential services familiarisation and training course at Power and Water's Katherine workshop.

The familiarisation course comprises classroom sessions covering occupational health and safety, electrical and water services as well as 'in the field' practical exercises such as fire suppression and managing dangerous substances.

Power and Water Area Manager Anne-Marie Hayman said all ESOs have the opportunity to attend courses in the major regional centres of Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.

"The course ensures ESOs the preparation required to provide Power and Water services to their community, and importantly are good networking opportunity for both the participants and Power and Water service coordinators," said Ms Hayman.

"It provides an opportunity for all parties to meet and share stories about the many complexities involved in day to day essential services operations," she said.

The ESOs are expected to conduct daily, weekly and monthly duties for all essential service disciplines including water quality testing, diesel generator servicing and meter reading for retail services.

Although shires, councils and local communities employ the ESOs, Power and Water assist with the mentoring and ongoing training including trainee and relief ESOs.

There are currently 155 (full time and relief) ESOs throughout the Territory.

Power and Water provides power, water and sewerage services to 72 communities and over 66 nominated outstations.

Doug Glasson and Jock McConnel, Remote Operations Katherine Mechanical Coordinators, demonstrating generator fuel filter maintenance at the Katherine ESO Course.