Altogether Insights

June 2024

We’ve all been feeling the financial pressure of rising living costs in Australia. Groceries, housing, and other expenses have all surged, especially in the last 12 months. At Altogether, we understand these challenges and are here to support strata managers, building managers, and developers that we work with.

Finder’s March 2023 cost of living report highlights some key stats: household expenses have jumped 7.8% from December 2021 to December 2022, grocery bills have soared by 94%, and housing costs have shot up due to rate hikes. Additionally, one in three Australians have sought financial help from friends or family, and consumer sentiment shows a steady rise in stress over essential expenses since 2021. The average Australian's savings buffer has also significantly dwindled.

To help with this difficult time, we offer sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions and bespoke advice to help strata managers, building managers and developers manage utility costs. We offer payment support services and work with communities to improve their utility usage. By focusing on sustainability and practical support, we aim to help residents navigate financial challenges with empathy and fairness.

Our dedicated team helps customers and strata and building managers to understand and manage their utility consumption and identify potential discounts and concessions. They can also suggest ways to be more energy efficient, and pass on information about accessing government rebates. We also provide support through budget management assistance, consumer rights education, translation services, and tailored payment plans.

?Urgent action for Queensland customers

If you’re a vertical community in Queensland, make sure you switch to retail customer status before 30 June to take advantage of Queensland Government rebates.?

Rebates are applied as credits to your bulk bill instead of cash, which might not be used for up to 12 months and potentially creating a financial gap.

Another risk of not switching your status is if residents move out without using their allocated rebate, the building becomes liable to pay the remaining credit in cash, which might not have been accounted for.

A passion for problem-solving: 5 minutes with Fiona Mackay, Altogether’s Head of Water Operations

In honour of International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June, we celebrate the contributions and achievements of women in the engineering sector. This day highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in engineering and encourages more women to consider careers in this dynamic field. One inspiring professional is Fiona Mackay , who currently serves as the Head of Water Operations at Altogether.

Fiona has a robust academic background, including a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Process Engineering, and a postgraduate certificate in Engineering Asset Management. She has been with Altogether for over four and a half years, previously working as an Asset Manager.

We sat down with Fiona to chat about her career, her passion for engineering, and her advice for aspiring engineers.

?Q: What made you want to study engineering?

A: I initially studied a Bachelor of Science at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand in the 1990s and then spent a year working in a laboratory at a milk factory. It didn't take long for me to realise that laboratory work wasn't for me! I saw the engineers at the factory were engaged in much more interesting and dynamic work.

?Being inherently a problem solver, engineering felt like a natural fit for me. It allowed me to combine practical and theoretical aspects, and I quickly completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Process Engineering. Interestingly, this course had many women studying it,? while Mechanical Engineering only had a few.

I also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering Asset Management during Covid.

Q: What is the best thing about your current role?

A: I’m currently the Head of Water Operations, which is a maternity leave cover position.? I’ve been part of the team for two months now and we’re working hard to improve the reliability of our water treatment plants. It’s been really rewarding to work with them.??

Q: What is something surprising about engineering that most people don't know?

A: One surprising aspect of engineering is that it's not just about dealing with physical equipment. Engineering, especially process engineering, involves figuring out the steps to solve any problem. For example, I approach work and other tasks with the same problem-solving mindset and map out each step meticulously.

Another thing that might really surprise people is that engineers are always building on the success of others. We learn from others' mistakes, take what people already know, and try to improve it. This continuous improvement methodology means it’s very rare for an engineer to start something completely from scratch. Instead, we find what's been done before and ask, "How do I make it better?".

Q: What's one piece of advice you would give to anyone considering a career in engineering?

A: Try to get hands-on experience early in your career. Once you reach more senior levels, it can be challenging to go back and gain that practical experience. Also, be open to where your career might lead you. Many of my friends and colleagues from the University of Canterbury are now working in very different fields, despite having similar educational backgrounds. Your studies don't necessarily dictate your career path, so be flexible and open-minded.

Q: How do you find the engineering field for women now, and would you encourage young women to enter the field?

A: The field of engineering has become more inclusive, but our society still presents challenges for women across all sectors. However, I still encourage young women to pursue engineering as it offers a rewarding career with many opportunities, and they can overcome the challenges they might face with resilience and determination.

Behind the scenes with UNSW students

In May, we welcomed a group of University of New South Wales ( 悉尼新南威尔士大学 ) students to our state-of-the-art Central Park water centre, part of an ongoing educational collaboration.

Led by Dr Carmen Wong , our Head of Asset Management, and supported by Deshveen Kumara Chandran , a recent graduate who has joined Altogether, the visit provided the students with a detailed look at water treatment technologies, from anaerobic processing to membrane filtration. Under the guidance of the Altogether team, the students explored the seven-step treatment process, gaining practical insights into the applications of their studies and the relationship between industry and academia.

?The tour expanded the students' technical knowledge and inspired a greater interest in water sustainability. By observing the real-world applications of their studies and interacting with professionals in the field, the students left with a deeper understanding of and motivation to pursue careers in water management. This collaboration highlights Altogether's commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders in environmental stewardship and technological innovation.

?For those interested in exploring our water treatment technologies firsthand, contact us to arrange your own tour of the water centre.

Upcoming events

11-14 June - Australian Energy Week 2024, Melbourne, Vic

21 June - SCA (NSW) Young & New Strata Networking event, Sydney, NSW

21 June - SCA – Brisbane – 21st June 2024, Brisbane, Qld

23 June - International Women in Engineering Day

16-17 July - Australian Clean Energy Summit 2024, Sydney, NSW

24-25 July - 48th QLD Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition 2024, Sunshine Coast, Qld

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