By: David Nixon, NSW SQID Taskforce Chair, Sydney
Date: October 11, 2025
There’s a deep irony at the heart of our national stormwater product verification system. This program, known as SQIDEP, was created to ensure the long-term, sustainable performance of multi-million dollar stormwater assets. Yet, the program itself is operating on a financial model that is fundamentally unsustainable.
We currently have a “Pay Once, Ignore Forever” system. A manufacturer pays a significant upfront fee to have their product evaluated. Once that fee is paid and the product is verified, that’s it. There is no ongoing revenue stream to support the administration, governance, or continuous improvement of the very program that gives the verification its value.
This isn’t just a minor administrative issue; it’s a critical flaw that threatens the integrity and future of the entire national standard. 💰
The True Cost of a Credible Program
A robust verification program is far more than just a simple pass/fail test. To be credible and effective, it needs a constant source of funding to cover essential functions that are currently neglected:
- Professional Administration: Managing applications, coordinating independent evaluators, and handling industry queries requires dedicated administrative staff.
- Governance and Oversight: A technical review panel and a governance board are needed to ensure the process is fair, transparent, and free from conflicts of interest. Their time and expertise have value.
- Continuous Improvement: The science and technology of stormwater management are always evolving. The protocol needs to be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices, but this requires funded research and expert consultation.
- A Living System: As we’ve argued, the system needs to include mandatory re-certification. This requires a funded administrative framework to manage the process.
The current one-time fee is expected to cover the cost of the initial evaluation, but it leaves nothing for the long-term health and maintenance of the program itself. It’s like buying a lifetime gym membership for a gym that has no budget for cleaning, equipment repair, or paying its staff. Sooner or later, the whole thing will fall apart.
A New Model: From a One-Time Fee to a Sustainable Partnership
If we want a professional, trustworthy verification program, we need to fund it professionally. The NSW SQID Taskforce Report proposes a complete overhaul of the current model, shifting to a fairer and more sustainable structure. This would likely involve:
- A Revised Application Fee: A fee for the initial, labour-intensive evaluation will still be required.
- An Annual Licensing Fee: This is the game-changer. Every product holding a current verification would be subject to a modest annual fee.
This hybrid model transforms the program from a one-off transaction into an ongoing service. The annual fee would create the predictable, recurring revenue stream needed to properly fund all the essential governance and improvement activities that are currently ignored.
An Investment in Credibility
This isn’t just another cost; it’s an investment in the value of the verification itself. For a manufacturer, the “SQIDEP Verified” seal is a significant commercial asset. A small annual fee is a reasonable contribution to ensure that the seal remains credible, respected, and valuable in the marketplace.
The current funding model for our national verification program is broken. A sustainable program is essential for a high-performing industry. The NSW SQID Taskforce Report details these issues and explores new funding structures. We need your input on how to create a fair and effective model—one that ensures the program’s long-term health and its ability to drive continuous improvement.
We have commenced a broad consultation process across industry, government, councils and industries. We are aiming to prepare a feedback supplement at the conclusion of the consultation period.
Review the consultation draft, Volume One, outlining recommendations, available on the Stormwater 2030 website.
Submit feedback via the Taskforce Feedback Form by Monday, December 1, 2025.
