Workshop and Panels

SUEZ

Remote and rural communities experience unique challenges when rolling out utility services and equal access to essential resources. The workshop presenters represent a range of organisations that grapple with this challenge daily, what is successful in using digital tools to ensure water security in some of the most remote parts of the driest continent on the planet. Find out how these industry leaders are successfully servicing customers across their service regions, what challenges are unique to regional and remote Australia, and what remains a challenge - and what from the wish lists of 10 years ago are being answered now.

Facilitated by Sean Cohen, SUEZ

Speakers include:

Greg Berinson, Water Corporation

Steve Jewell, Mt Isa City Council

Marc Lon Ho Kee, Goulburn Valley Water

Ian Johnson, Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers

Beca HunterH2O

Purified Recycled Water (PRW) is proven safe, and is gaining increased focus in Australia, as it is generally significantly cheaper to deliver than desalinated seawater. Early thinking on PRW favoured cycling the PRW via an environmental buffer prior to re-treatment in a conventional water treatment plant upstream of network distribution. However, further development of PRW systems has demonstrated their efficacy to directly deliver potable water, without re-contaminating it in an environmental buffer and without incurring the further conventional treatment costs. This panel will consider the implications of direct potable reuse (DPR), focussing on public health and international implementation learnings.

Facilitated by Dr Bruce Atkinson, Beca HunterH2O

Speakers include:

Dr Eva Steinle-Darling, Carollo Engineers

Dr Kaye Power, Sydney Water

Dr Dan Deere, Water Futures Pty Ltd

Dr David Cunliffe, SA Health

KBR

This panel will explore the transformative role of immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in improving safety outcomes in the water industry. The panel will discuss how immersive technologies have transformed safety-in-design, operator familiarisation and training for high-risk tasks, as well as looking ahead to other potential uses in the future.

Facilitated by Jane Espie, KBR

Speakers include:

Tim Jackson, KBR

Peter Seltsikas, SA Water

Chris McKinnon, KBR

Matt Drake, John Holland

KPMG

Curious about navigating the maze of modern legislation in the water sector? Dive into an engaging discussion where an engineer, a lawyer, a risk professional, and a sustainability expert converge to decode the complexities of evolving regulations. This dynamic panel will tackle pressing questions related to:

• Effective management of shifting regulatory landscapes.
• Strengthening resilience via regulatory compliance.
• The relationship between risk appetite and strategy.
• The role of cross-organisational collaboration, stakeholders, third-party risks, and community impacts in the regulatory compliance approach.
• Juggling regulatory demands alongside competing operational challenges.

Facilitated by Madeleine English, KPMG

Speakers include:

Damion Keasey, KPMG

Matt Pearce, KPMG

Ricardo

Australia has world leading climate science, but we have struggled to systematically incorporate that science into water policy, planning and management. This panel includes senior executives and scientists charged with making and supporting bid decisions. Join them to discuss matters such as:

• Are our science programs designed to produce outputs that support effective decision making?
• How do we deal with the uncertainties of climate science?
• How do we balance the precautionary principle with the risks of maladaptation?
• What are the opportunities for better integration of climate science and decision making?

The panel will be interactive with the opportunity for the audience to ask their own questions and put forward their own perspectives.

Facilitated by Matthew Coulton, Ricardo

Speakers include:

Fiona Smith, WaterNSW

Matthew Coleman, Murray-Darling Basin Authority

Georgina Falster, The University of Adelaide

AWA Water Efficiency Specialist Network

This a workshop on the future of water usage in Australian homes, focusing on emerging smart technologies. We will explore how innovations like smart plumbing fixtures, rainwater tanks, AI-driven greywater systems, and high-resolution smart meters with machine learning can drive the next generation of water savings. Building on Australia's history of water efficiency through technologies like dual flush toilets and policies such as WELS and BASIX, this workshop will discuss the potential and challenges of these new technologies. We will also delve into the customer, utility, and regulatory implications. Come and help us explore this exciting new frontier.

Facilitated by Simon Fane, Institute for sustainable future - UTS

Speakers include:

Andre Boerema, Sydney Water

Teresa McMaugh, Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Jackie Hammond, Rainwater Harvesting Association

AWA Water Literacy and Education Specialist Network

What does water literacy entail? Evaluate your own water literacy: low, medium, or high? While water industry professionals likely have high water literacy, the broader community often lacks knowledge about this vital resource. Daily, we interact with water, yet many don’t know how it reaches their tap or if bottled water is “new” water. Research highlights water literacy as key to fostering a water-sensitive community. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, so let’s learn from others—explore their approaches, successes, and lessons—and embark on a collective journey to improve water literacy. Together we can make an impact.

Facilitated by Tracey Willingham, AWA Water Literacy and Education Specialist Network

Speakers include:

Zoe Walsh, Sequana

Karen Kagi, Water Corporation

Sally Denton, SA Water

AWA Water Recycling Specialist Network Committee

This panel is a practical examination of the economics of recycled water, focusing on both historical challenges and emerging opportunities. The session will review challenges, such as high costs and revenue shortfalls, and explore how evolving trends are reshaping the landscape.

Participants will hear about innovative approaches, including new policies, technological advancements, and financial models that might address challenges of recycling schemes. The panel members gathered from water utilities and other relevant stakeholders will highlight any actionable strategies that enhance the economic viability and impact of recycled water schemes, contributing to broader goals of urban liveability and environmental sustainability.

Facilitated by Kathy Northcott and Pam Kerry, AWA Water Recycling Specialist Network Committee

Speakers include:

Joel Byrnes, Marsden Jacob Associates

Charlie Littlefair, South East Water

Danielle Francis, Water Services Association Of Australia

Greta Zornes, CDM Smith

AWA Operations Specialist Network

The provision of safe drinking water and wastewater treatment requires a competent water industry workforce to manage risks, protect the environment, and meet customer expectations. In spite of this, many utilities struggle to deliver effective training and competency programs for operators, especially in regional areas. This panel will explore current approaches to technical competency by utilities, private operators, and regulators. Panelists will discuss emerging trends and areas for improvement to ensure water and wastewater operators' technical competence. The discussion aims to address the challenges faced by the industry and identify potential solutions for enhancing operator skills and knowledge.

Facilitated by Kate Simpson, AWA Operations Specialist Network

Speakers include:

Heidi Grodecki, Queensland Health

Kathy Northcott, Veolia

George Wall, BuildSkills Australia

Sarah Henry, Qld Water Directorate

Water Sensitive SA

Governments face increasing challenges in delivering urban development at the pace needed to tackle the housing crisis, while also addressing climate-driven concerns about liveability and water security. This expert panel will explore the obstacles and advantages of integrating water sensitive urban design (WSUD) into development through case studies from across Australia. In this interactive session, we invite all attendees to share their experiences so we can collaboratively explore how industry professionals can help mainstream WSUD, fostering greener, more resilient communities.

Facilitated by Elsinore Mann, Water Sensitive SA

Speakers include:

Mellissa Bradley, Water Sensitive SA

Shelley Shepherd, Urbaqua

Phillip Birtles, Sydney Water

Chris Manning, Water Sensitive Cities Australia

Jacobs

In an industry facing mounting external pressures to meet daily expectations, how do we grapple with the need to update our ways of working to serve our communities of the future?
We know that teams require the skills, competencies and mindsets to enable innovation, long-termism, and wellbeing. What are those skills, ways of working and competencies?
In this workshop and panel discussion, you’ll learn about the professional development program that’s reimagined applied learning for technically trained candidates to work in complex and ambiguous contexts. Session includes a panel discussion with the program champion, coordinator, participants and designer, and a Q&A.

Facilitated by Marta Malchevski, Jacobs

Speakers include:

Bridie Fennessy, Yarra Valley Water

Laura Barstow, Yarra Valley Water

Liran Podolsky, Yarra Valley Water

Candice Sargent, Yarra Valley Water

AWA Desalination Specialist Network Committee

Speakers include:

Rod Naylor, GHD

Lisa Chan, SUEZ

Dr. Domingo Zarzo, Sacyr

Arup

All around Australia, our water utilities are forecasting a significant increase in their capital expenditure. Many of our water and wastewater systems are reaching the end of their life, with increased maintenance needs and looming replacement, we have a rapidly growing population with up to 1.2 million new housing connections by 2029, climate change is reducing the sustainable yield of our rainfall dependent water supplies leading to supply-demand deficits, technology changes such as data centres are requiring unprecedented volumes of high quality water, and health and environmental standards are tightening in response to emerging contaminants.

Looking back, Australians have reaped the benefit of our previous generations investment in long-lived assets that we continue to use today. Moving forward, in an era of competing priorities, the water industry will face many challenges but also opportunities in delivering new water and wastewater infrastructure.

Join our panel and participate in a discussion on the risks, issues and opportunities facing the water industry and explore how we can work together to deliver infrastructure to ensure a vibrant water future for all.

Facilitated by Nelly Berry, Arup

Speakers include:

Stuart Wilson, Water Services Association of Australia

Mike Smart, IPART

Fred Mukonoweshuro, Arup

Sydney Water

Purified recycled water (PRW) is increasingly becoming part of many water supply options for communities around the world. According to the latest ‘Global maps of purified recycled water for drinking’ compiled by WSAA, 30 million people are drinking PRW as part of their local supply today, with this expected to reach up to 55 million people by 2050. A common approach on the approval pathway for PRW is to build a demonstration plant. Water Corporation did this with their Groundwater Replenishment Scheme in 2017 and Sydney Water launched their PRW Discovery Centre in 2023. This panel will use local and international examples to explore the question of how useful a demonstration plant is to amplify the PRW message. Please join us.

Facilitated by Clare Porter, Sydney Water

Speakers include:

Dr Bruce Atkinson, Beca HunterH2O

Tracey Willingham, Sydney Water

Helen Forte, Water Corporation

Danielle Francis, WSAA

SA Water

This session will discuss and workshop how the sector can look to better manage procurement challenges and opportunities associated with the increase in capital investment seen across the water sector recently. A panel of six capital procurement experts (three from water utilities and three from the private sector) will lead an interactive discussion about collaborative contracting, risk allocation, program planning and visibility of work. This will be followed by a 30-minute workshop with the audience to understand the greatest benefits to the water sector that could be assisted by WSAA and AWA.

Facilitated by Greg Ryan, Water Services Association of Australia

Speakers include:

Mike Gibbons, SA Water

Kurt Dahl, coNEXA Infrastructure Partners

Brett Reichstein, Fulton Hogan

Margaret Riley, KBR

Nicholle Sparkes, Sydney Water

Mal Shepherd, Sunwater

International Water Association of Australia

Water plays a fundamental role in achieving ‘nature positive’ outcomes, as healthy ecosystems support water security, while sustainable water management helps preserve biodiversity. Nature-based solutions, including wetlands, forests, and floodplains, provide cost-effective and resilient approaches to climate adaptation. This session explores how to transition from depletion to regeneration by aligning water policies with biodiversity and climate goals, strengthening cross-sector collaboration across urban planning, agriculture, and industry, and developing financial incentives for nature-based solutions.

Facilitated by Ryan Yuen, Singapore International Water Week

Speakers include:

Katharine Cross, Water Sensitive Cities Australia, Monash University

Dr Mark Fletcher, Arup

Matthew Dadswell, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)

Meg Cummins, Aurecon

Pride in Water

Want to create a workplace where everyone thrives? This dynamic panel shares firsthand stories from LGBTQIA+ professionals in the water industry, offering practical strategies for fostering inclusion and innovation. Gain insights into the newly forming Pride in Water Leadership Council, learn how diverse teams drive better outcomes, and walk away with actionable steps for what makes a successful, staff-led Pride network. Whether you’re an LGBTIQA+ professional, an ally, or a leader, this session equips you with the knowledge and connections to drive real change. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the ripple effect across our sector!

Facilitated by Zoé Kennedy, Pride in Water

Speakers include:

Ben Stone, Water Corporation

Sally Armstrong, TasWater

Paul Mulley, Melbourne Water

Details are being finalised – more information will be available shortly.

Ricardo

Infrastructure nearing end of life or needing substantial renewal; population growth demanding rapid expansion of services; climate change requiring a larger, more diverse and resilience asset base; high interest rates; high environmental standards and expectations; the need to decarbonise – can Australia’s approach to water policy and model of economic regulation of the water sector endure, and should it?

The panel of water sector leaders from policy, regulation and industry will consider what could, should and shouldn’t change in economic regulation of water utilities in the future. The discuss with consider multiple points of view, seeking to challenge perspectives.

Facilitated by Will Fargher, Ricardo

Speakers include:

Hon Niall Blair, Sydney Water

Corinne Cheesman, Australian Water Association

Ashraf El-Sherbini, NSW DCCEEW

Sarah Sheppard, Victorian Essential Services Commission

Richard Cawley, Ricardo

Aurecon

Join us as we discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the water industry and be challenged on whether we are even close to understanding the impact and the risks it presents. Our diverse panel will reflect on AI’s potential power and the progress we have made in realising its opportunities. We will examine the infrastructure needed for digitisation and automation, addressing the implications for water resources, the workforce, and supply chains. Additionally, we will discuss the ethical and governance challenges that arise and the collaborative strategies required to harness AI effectively. Our distinguished panellists include leaders from public and private utilities, politics, research, and governance. Don’t miss this insightful discussion.

Facilitated by Ryan Signor, Aurecon

Speakers include:

Pierre Pauliac, SUEZ

Karlene Maywald, Department of Environment and Water

Dave Mackenzie, Aurecon

Amanda Lewry, SA Water

Details are being finalised – more information will be available shortly.

WSAA

Worldwide the water sector faces significant challenges around investment. In contrast to the pattern of customer bills, investment in water and wastewater services is rising strongly. Capital investment required will accelerate further in coming years and is critical to provide new housing, renew ageing assets and meet the challenges of climate change. While there are great challenges there are also great opportunities, particularly in the customer area. Join us as we hear expert speakers from Australia and the UK on the investment challenges and innovative solutions.

Speakers include:

Jacqueline Guerin, SA Water

David Ryan, SA Water

Eve Rodrigues, WSAA

Dr Bob Stear, Severn Trent Water

Stuart Wilson, WSAA

Nicole Zacher, WSAA

WSAA

This session will spark a conversation about workforce challenges, with actionable insights and an overview of the critical importance of the water sector including demographics, trends, gaps and challenges. It will also consider potential strategies to address the challenges with examples from other industries/sectors. Join us to hear from BuildSkills Australia and leaders in the sector to discuss the challenges in attracting and retaining talent, bridging the gap between training and industry needs and creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

Speakers include:

Anja Bonnard, Veolia

Erin Cini, WSAA

Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo, Melbourne Water

Peter Gee, WSAA

Pat McCafferty, Yarra Valley Water

Rob Sobyra, BuildSkills Australia

WSAA

In March 2025 the World Meteorological Organisation reported that 2024 was the hottest on record and included over 150 unprecedented extreme weather events. 2024 saw extreme rainfall, flash flooding, numerous significant heatwaves, tropical cyclones and wildfires - many at record levels. In Australia, extreme weather events are all too familiar and in the last year we have seen cyclones, floods and fires. Join us to hear from leaders across the country discussing the impact, experience and lessons learned.

Facilitated by Adam Lovell, WSAA

Speakers include:

Chris Bulloch, Urban Utilities

Pat Donovan, Water Corporation

Cameron Fitzgerald, Southern Rural Water

Anna Jackson, Unitywater

Emma Thomas, Seqwater

Workshops and Panels