BC Policy
BC Policy
1. Purpose
This Business Continuity Policy outlines Barwon Water's commitment to ensuring the resilience and continuity of its critical operations and services. The policy aligns with the BCI Good Practice Guidelines (GPG) to provide a structured approach to managing disruptions, safeguarding our water supply, wastewater management, billing, customer service, and environmental compliance functions. The policy is designed to protect the interests of our stakeholders, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain public trust.
1.1 Executive Summary
Barwon Water is dedicated to maintaining operational resilience through effective business continuity management. This policy establishes the framework for identifying potential threats, assessing impacts, and implementing strategies to mitigate disruptions. By aligning with industry best practices, Barwon Water ensures that critical operations such as water supply and wastewater management are prioritized and protected, minimizing downtime and safeguarding the community's essential services.
2. Scope and Applicability
This policy applies to all operations and activities within Barwon Water, encompassing all departments, employees, and stakeholders involved in the delivery of critical and important services. It covers the management of risks and continuity planning for water supply, wastewater management, billing, customer service, and environmental compliance.
3. Policy Statement
Barwon Water is committed to maintaining an effective Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) that ensures the resilience of our services. This policy mandates the development, implementation, and maintenance of continuity plans that address potential disruptions. The BCMS will be regularly tested and reviewed to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with the latest industry standards and regulatory requirements.
4. Core Principles
The core principles guiding Barwon Water's business continuity efforts include risk assessment, impact analysis, strategic planning, and continuous improvement. By understanding the criticality of our operations and the potential impacts of disruptions, we develop robust strategies to mitigate risks and ensure rapid recovery. These principles are embedded in our organizational culture and operational practices.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Management | Oversee BCM strategy and policy compliance | exec_mgmt@barwonwater.com |
| BCM Coordinator | Develop and maintain BC plans | bcm_coordinator@barwonwater.com |
| Department Heads | Implement BC plans within departments | dept_heads@barwonwater.com |
6. Compliance and Enforcement
Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all Barwon Water employees and stakeholders. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary actions as per organizational procedures. Regular audits and reviews will be conducted to ensure adherence to the policy and the effective implementation of business continuity plans.
7. Review and Maintenance
This policy will be reviewed annually or following significant organizational changes to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. Feedback from stakeholders and lessons learned from exercises and real incidents will inform updates and improvements to the policy and associated continuity plans.
8. Approval, Version Control and Document History
| Version | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2023-10-01 | Initial release |