Annual Forum 2025
20-Aug-2025
About this event
Registrations are now open for the qldwater 2025 Annual Forum: Courage and Compassion for a Resilient Urban Water Sector which will take place on Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 August 2025 at the IPWEA-QNT Training Rooms in Eagle Farm, Brisbane.
Water is a risky business. The qldwater 2025 Annual Forum will tackle the big, complex, and growing risks and opportunities facing Queensland’s water sector. From skills shortages to emerging contaminants, stagnant water/retail prices, psychosocial risks for our workforce, climate whiplash, and tightening regulation; the sector is navigating uncharted waters - together.
Continuing conversations from last year’s forum, we will shine a spotlight on four of the most pressing systemic risks impacting the sustainability, safety, and resilience of urban water services in Queensland. Sessions will combine thought-provoking presentations with hands-on collaboration, giving attendees the opportunity to explore solutions. The sector cannot continue as is - How do we move to scalable change and how do we bring everyone on the journey with us?
The qldwater Annual Forum is our signature event of the year specifically for water service providers, bringing together industry professionals, key stakeholders, and regulatory agencies for two days of networking, learning, and collaboration. This event is a great opportunity for our members to connect, share knowledge, and address challenges facing the water industry in Queensland.
The forum consists of site tours, the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test, Award Dinner and a day of presentations, updates, and discussions on current issues that are of strategic importance to Queensland’s water sector. It is a chance for attendees to deepen their understanding of key industry developments and exchange ideas with peers.
Download the Preliminary Program
Program Overview
Wednesday 20 August
| 08.15 | Registration. Tea and coffee |
|
Session 1: Opening Plenary | |
| 08.45 | Welcome and Housekeeping, Georgina Davis, CEO qldwater |
| 08.55 | Opening: Deputy Director General Jarrod Cowley-Grimmond, Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers |
| 09.30 | Managing Privacy Risks and Protecting our Community in Vulnerable Circumstances. |
| 10.00 | Sponsor Address and Welcome |
| 10.10 | Morning Tea |
| Session 2: Managing Psychosocial Risks for a Risky Sector | |
| 11-12.30 | IR Strategies for Psychosocial Getting the Paperwork Right to Manage the Risks Case Studies:What would you do? |
| 12.30 | Lunch |
| Session 3: A Model of Risk Proportionate Regulation | |
| 13.15 | Science-Based Regulations and What They Look Like? |
| 13.45 | The Effectiveness of Source Control and its Timeframes |
| 14.15 | A Model of Risk-Based Regulation for the Western Queensland Environment |
| 14.45 | Climate Risks for Queensland’s Urban Water Sector: What Modelling Tells Us |
| 15.15 | Afternoon Tea - A Sweet Treat |
| Session 4: The Imperative for Change | |
| 15.45 | Supporting Structures: Safe & Healthy Drinking Water in Indigenous Local Government Areas Program |
| 16.15 | Mind the Gap: Who Should Bear the Cost of New Infrastructure and Uncertainty |
| 16.30 | Water Credits and Opportunities for Market Income |
| 16.45 | Tying it All Together |
| 17.00 | Forum Close |
| 17.45 | Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test at Waters Edge |
| 18.00 | Gala Awards Dinner at Waters Edge |
Thursday 19 August
Technical Tour 1: 08.45 - 16.00- Logan Water Biosolids Gasification Facility
- Eurofins Environment Testing Australia
- Oleology advanced water treatment technology
- Rino Recycling
- BOC's Bulwer Island Renewable Hydrogen Production
Meet our Sponsors and Partners
A big thanks to the organisations that have already signed up to support our event - please click on the button below to learn more about the important role they play in the urban water sector.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Partnering with the qldwater 2025 Annual Forum will provide your organisation with unparalleled opportunity to increase your profile and enable you to communicate, promote and advertise your product and service to a highly targeted audience.
There are still some sponsorship options available to suit most budgets. Download the sponsorship prospectus or contact Georgina today on 0450 296 240 or email gdavis@qldwater.com.au to discuss your requirements.
