Annual Forum 2026
19-Aug-2026
About this event
The Urgent Drop: The Case for Change
Registrations are now open for the qldwater 2026 Annual Forum: The Urgent Drop: The Case for Change which will take place on Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 August 2026 at the IPWEA-QNT Training Rooms in Eagle Farm, Brisbane.
The qldwater 2026 Annual Forum will confront the infrastructure cliff facing Queensland’s urban water sector. Chronic underinvestment, ageing assets, a constrained workforce, and tightening regulation have created an estimated $45.3 billion need statewide to replace and renew networks approaching the end of their operational lifespans, and progress has stalled despite recent reviews into water service delivery across Australia and New Zealand.
The 2026 Annual Forum is a call to action. Bringing together utility executives, engineers, policymakers, asset managers, and key stakeholders, the Forum will confront these challenges head on through case studies, forward-looking presentations, and strategic networking, with a focus on actionable solutions and the reform measures essential for sustainable water businesses into the future. With local, state and federal elections on the horizon in 2028, the outcomes and consensus from this Forum will directly inform the sector’s reform agenda and advocacy priorities.
About the Forum
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, an Awards 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.
Program Overview
Wednesday 19 August 2026
| 08.15 | Registration. Tea, coffee and danish |
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The Queensland Outlook
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| 09.15 | Andrew Chapman, CEO Queensland Major Contractors
Association Queensland's Major Projects and the Pipeline |
| 09.50 | TBC: Planning for the World's Largest Event |
| 10.25 | Morning Tea |
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The Reform Agenda
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| 11.00 | Sascha Moege, Director, Local Water Utility Policy
and Regulation: NSW Government’s response to the NSW Productivity and Equality Commission’s Review of Local Water Utility Funding and the LWU Reform Program |
| 11.40 | Jim Grayson and Sophie Guest, KPMG: Current Reforms for Water |
| 12.20 | TBC: Price Oversight and Price Monitoring |
| 13.00 | Lunch |
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Opportunities for Change
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| 14.00 | Jason Lee, Group Manager, Redland City Council Making the case for water: Securing investment in essential services during fiscal constraint |
| 14.30 | David Heape, Business Lead, Water, Amey The Money, The Divide, Our People |
| 15.00 | Scott Mason, CEO, LG Services and CQROC QWRAP
Coordinator Combined Sustainability - Flying the Plane |
| 15.30 | Afternoon Tea |
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What to Look Out For
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| 16.00 | TBC: Navigating the Infrastructure Cliff |
| 16.30 | Sarah Hausler, Partner, McCullough Robertson
Lawyers Identifying and Managing Your Personal Liability |
| 17.00 | Forum Close |
| 18.00 - 21.00 | Gala Awards Dinner at Waters Edge |
Thursday 20 August 2026
| 09.30 - 16.00 | Technical Tour: Veolia's Northgate Depot for portable water treatment technology, the Southern Redland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the adjoining Shoreline Project mangrove wetland. |
*Every effort has been made to present all the information contained on this webpage as accurately as possible. The organisers reserve the right to change, without notice, any or all of these details.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The qldwater 2026 Annual Forum is Queensland’s premier event for the urban water industry, bringing together decision-makers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders in a collaborative and engaging environment.
Sponsoring the Forum provides your organisation with meaningful visibility before, during, and after the event, alongside genuine opportunities to build relationships with the professionals shaping Queensland’s water sector.
With a range of packages available, sponsorship can be tailored to meet your organisation’s goals, whether that is raising brand awareness, launching a product or service, or deepening your presence in the industry.
Download the Sponsorship Prospectus
For more information, call 0450 296 240 or email Georgina Davis to discuss your requirements.
