Past Events

Please follow the tabs to see events for each year.

Events 2024

Date	Location	Host	Event
6 March 2024	Teams	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar: Land Use Safety Planning for Chlorine Gas Facilities Ben Fleming, Senior Safety Advisor at the Major Hazard Facilities Unit within the Office of Industrial Relations presented on land use safety planning for chlorine gas facilities, providing an overview of the application of safety and planning regulations to hazardous chemicals including the primary planning instruments for chlorine installations. To watch a recording and to download Ted's presentation, click here.
21 March	Teams	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar: Changes to the National Performance Report (NPR): how it will affect your annual reporting requirements Dr David Scheltinga, Manager of the qldwater Statewide Water Information Management System (SWIM) presented on the upcoming changes to the National Performance Report (NPR): how it will affect your annual reporting requirements. To watch a recording and to download Matthew's presentation, click here.
19 April	Parliament House	*qldwater*	Water Skills Forum 2024 The Water Skills Forum 2024 was held at Parliament House, Brisbane. To view recordings or download presentations from the forum, click here. This is a member only page so please log in first.
23 April	Teams	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar: Ensuring Telcos meet regulatory requirements to protect critical water assets Carmel Serratore, Principal Consultant at Integrated Legal Solutions and previously Legal Counsel for Seqwater stepped through the new legal agreement template (Telco Land Access Agreement or TLAA) which has been prepared for qldwater to assist its members when dealing with a licensed carrier seeking to deploy low impact facilities (in particular, under a LAAN pursuant to Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth)). The TLAA seeks to ensure telecommunication providers and their personnel/contractors meet their legislated (and contractual) requirements whilst protecting the interests and ongoing rights of urban water service providers (WSPs). To watch a recording and to download Carmel's presentation, click here.
8 May	Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar: Introduction to SCADA Murray Thompson provides an introduction and overview of SCADA and telemetry systems utilised within the water and sewerage industry including practical workplace examples of how these systems operate on a day-to-day basis. It is designed for field and operations staff to ensure they are able to confidently monitor, operate and report upon the performance of their water and sewerage assets and also response appropriately to events and alarms. This webinar is part of the *qldwater* Urban Water Micro Credential Program 2023 Project and acts as an introduction to a series of Micro-Credential courses which will be delivered between June and September 2024. To watch a recording and to download Murray's presentation, click here.
13-17 May	Various	*qldwater*	Water Connections Week 2024 The 2024 Water Connections Tour included visits to Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond, Hughenden and Winton. The Water Connections Tour has been developed to allow participants to gain insights into the issues and challenges of providing essential urban water services to regional and remote Queensland communities. It provides an opportunity to bring together both state and federal government to gain first-hand insights of issues identified in the Urban Water Risk Assessment and compliance for wastewater treatment assets. Thanks to our Water Connections Tour sponsor, Lackon, for their financial contribution and providing a project management expert to accompany the tour delegation.
14 May	Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar: Using Data Effectively James Howey from Viridis presented an introduction to Micro-Credential to be delivered later this year. This non accredited training course is intended to help staff appreciate the value of using water quality data collected as part of operational roles. It also aims at helping make use of tools like Excel spreadsheets and swimlocal to record data, see data trends, identify emerging issues, make informed decisions on corrective actions and comply with the organisation’s Drinking Water Quality Management Plan (DWQMP). To watch a recording and to download Murray's presentation, click here.
22 May	Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar: Drinking Water Quality Management Plans James Howey from Viridis presented an introduction to Micro-Credential to be delivered later this year. This non accredited training course is aimed at helping operators and operational support staff understand the importance of a Drinking Water Quality Management Plan (DWQMP) and the critical role operators play in ensuring the thorough implementation of the DWQMP. This training assists operational staff understand the critical management plan operational touch points, to ensure the plan meets its intended purpose to supply safe drinking water and manage risks from catchment to consumer. To watch a recording and to download Murray's presentation, click here.

Events 2023

Date	Location	Host	Event
26 October	Teams	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar: Managing Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) through your Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Blue green algae outbreaks in surface waters can be challenging for water service providers, especially when coupled with other risks that are heightened by high temperatures. In this presentation, Ted Aldred from the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water identifies where water service providers Drinking Water Quality Management Plans address those risks. The Q&A session addressed ways for water service providers to capture the emergent risk that HAB might present and included some lived experiences from service providers who are successfully managing those risks. To watch a recording and to download Ted's presentation, click here.
19 October	Teams	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar: BOM climate and water outlook for the coming season At the end of 2019 Queensland was in drought and moisture content in soils was very low across Queensland, in some places the lowest on record. This was alleviated by the following two years being wetter than average including major flood events in SEQ and NSW during 2022. At the end of 2023 many catchments are very dry, especially those in SEQ where winter rainfall fell in the lowest 10% of historical records. Greater rainfall will be required to cause catchment inflows into our dams. The seasonal forecast for November is for rainfall very much below median, with totals likely to fall in the lowest 20% of records for much of the state. At the same time, the chance of temperature being above median is above 80% for the whole state, with a high chance of record temperatures across Queensland. We are in for a hot dry summer, which will have follow on effects for water security across the state. In this comprehensive overview, Matthew Coulton from the Bureau of Meteorology provided history and insights into the various climate outlook products that are available from BOM, all of which are regularly updated. To watch a recording and to download Matthew's presentation, click here.
5 - 7 September	Toowoomba	Toowoomba Regional Council	Annual Forum 2023 The Annual Forum 2023 was held at the *qldwater* office at Eagle Farm, Brisbane. For an overview of the day and to download presentations, click here. Members will need to log in to download presentations.
15 - 19 May	Central Queensland	Various	Water Connections Week The tour itinerary included visits to treatment plants, meetings with key staff and elected representatives and local hospitality in the South Burnett, North Burnett, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Woorabinda, Gladstone and Bundaberg Council areas. View our Water Connections story map here.
8 June	Eagle Farm	*qldwater*	Water Skills Forum 2023 The Water Skills Forum 2023 was held at the *qldwater* office at Eagle Farm, Brisbane. To view recordings or download presentations from the forum, click here. This is a member only page so please log in first.
9 June	Eagle Farm	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Meeting

Events 2022

Date	Location	Host	Event
22 February	MS Teams	qldwater	Fundamentals Webinar Common Challenges and Controls for Water Reuse - presented by Ben McClatchie Fundamentals Webinars (qldwater.com.au)
04 March	Eagle Farm	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Meeting
15 March	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Presence/Absence of E. coli Test - presented by Terry Fagg Fundamentals Webinars (qldwater.com.au)
24 - 25 March	Yeppoon	Livingstone Shire Council	Livingstone Regional Conference To view the presentations from the conference, click here. This is a member only page (qldwater.com.au)
10 - 12 May	Brisbane	*qldwater*	AWA - OzWater Brisbane
23 - 24 May	Port Douglas	Douglas Shire Council	Port Douglas Regional Conference To view presentations from the conference, click here. This is a member only page (qldwater.com.au)
31 May	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Lagoon Management presented by Kathryn Turner, Urban Utilities Fundamentals Webinars (qldwater.com.au)
2 June	Eagle Farm	*qldwater*	Water Skills Forum 2022 The Water Skills Forum 2022 was held at the *qldwater* office at Eagle Farm, Brisbane. To view presentations from the forum, click here. This is a member only page (qldwater.com.au)
3 June	Eagle Farm	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Meeting
13 - 14 July	Gympie	Gympie Regional Council	Gympie Regional Conference To view the presentations from the conference, click here. This is a member only page (qldwater.com.au)
06 September	Gold Coast	City of Gold Coast	Annual Forum 2022 Day 1 - Research and Innovation Showcase
07 September	Gold Coast	City of Gold Coast	Annual Forum 2022 Day 2 - Gold Coast Tour Day The second day included site tours of the Tugun desalination plant with thanks to Seqwater, and Merrimac recycled water projects with thanks to City of Gold Coast. This was followed by the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test, some presentations from City of Gold Coast on local issues and challenges and the annual vendor pitches – which support scholarships for *qldwater* members to attend industry events. The Annual Forum Dinner followed, with entertainment supplied via “A beer and a chat with the Elder Water Professionals.”
08 September	Gold Coast	City of Gold Coast	Annual Forum 2022 Day 3 - Annual Forum Day
09-Sepember	Eagle Farm	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Meeting
15 September	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar The Fundamentals of Trickle Filters - presented by Terry Fagg View Recording of Webinar Here Fundamentals Webinars (qldwater.com.au)
10 November	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar The Fundamentals of Inflow and Infiltration - presented by Dominique Keirens, City of Gold Coast
09 December	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Meeting

Events 2021

Date	Location	Host	Event
19 January	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Backflow/Cross Connection Awareness & Control presented by Murray Thompson
28 January	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar Seven year major sewer upgrade project that is approaching completion presented by Nadine Story and Noel Ralph Innovations in Asset Management presented by Dr Joe Mathew
17-18 February	Goondiwindi	*qldwater* & NSW Water Directorate	Sustainable Services for Regional and Remote Communities
23 February	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Working with Chemicals & Hazardous Substances presented by Murray Thompson
4 March	Eagle Farm	*qldwater*	Water Skills Forum 2021
5 March	Eagle Farm	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Group Meeting
11 March	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Pumping Fundamentals presented by Terry Fagg
15 April	Zoom	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar THM Management in Drinking Water Networks Speakers: Stuart Boyd, Duncan Middleton, Cameron Ansell, Phil Wetherell Panellists: Phil Wetherell. Paul Sherman, Terry Fagg
22 April	Ms Teams	*qldwater*	Emerging Contaminants and Biosolids Workshop
27 April	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Electrical Safety Working on Metallic Pipes presented by Murray Thompson
19-20 May	Barcaldine	*qldwater*	Barcaldine Regional Conference
25 May	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Disinfection of Water Assets presented by Murray Thompson
4 June	MS Teams	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Group Meeting
10 June	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Jar Testing presented by Terry Fagg
22 June	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Guide to CT Measurement & Application presented by Murray Thompson
21-22 July	Zoom	*qldwater*	Charters Towers Regional Conference
27 July	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar RF Exposure & SafetyWorking on Reservoirs presented by Murray Thompson
17 August	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Offline and Online Remote Assistance Technologies for Regional and Remote Water Service Providers presented by David Francis, CEO Virtual Method
19 August	Zoom	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar Drinking Water Quality presented by Terry Fagg & Mark Harvey
7-9 September	Alexandra Hills Hotel	*qldwater*	qldwater Annual Forum 2021 qldwater Members can access recordings and presentations of the Automated Metering and Annual Forum Day
10 September	Ms Teams	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Group Meeting
21 September	Zoom	*qldwater*	QWRAP Webinar Artificial Intelligence for CCTV Analysis
28 September	Zoom	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar (Special Edition) COVID Sewage Surveillance
7 October	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Water Supply Reservoir Integrity a Critical Control Point (CCP) in Drinking Water Management Systems presented by Murray Thompson
19 October	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar The Basics of Instrumentation Vertification and Validation presented by Gary Fenwick, Urban Utilities
21 October	Zoom	*qldwater*	qCRAC-SWEAP Contaminants Source Control Workshop
2 November	Zoom	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar Unitywater's Automated Metering Journey presented by Steve McDonald, Unitywater
16 November	Zoom	*qldwater*	Fundamentals Webinar Seasonal Disaster Readiness presented by Trevor Harvey
3 December	Ms Teams	*qldwater*	Strategic Priorities Group Meeting

Events 2020

Date	Location	Host	Event
5 March	Virginia	*qldwater*	Queensland Water Skills Forum
6 March	Virginia	*qldwater*	TRG Meeting
9 April	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	Webinar: Responses to COVID-19
9 April	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #1 - including COVID-19 update
16 April	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #2 - Overview of corrosion and odour management in sewer systems, and an aviator's approach to managing water services during a crisis
23 April	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #4 - COVID Facts and the Water Sector, and Developing Cairns' Organic Waste Roadmap
29 April		*qldwater*	TRG Meeting VIDEOCONFERENCE
30 April	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #4 - Creating a Universal Point of Entry Drinking Water System for Rural Areas Using IoT, and update on Townsville contaminants research
7 May	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #5 - Floating Treatment Wetlands: A Nature-based Solution for a Small Rural Community at Kenilworth and WSAA Asbestos Water Pipes Best Practice Guidelines
14 May	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwaterEssentials Webinar #6 - Regulator Update (DNRME), Townsville: A Water Sensitive City in the Making
13-14 May	Goondiwindi	Goondiwindi Regional Council	qldwater Small / remote communities workshop - POSTPONED, NEW DATE TBA
21 May	GoToWebinar	qldwater	qldwater Essentials Webinar #7 - Intelligent Water Networks, How to Prepare Future Leaders for the Transition from Tools to Team, WSAA COVID-19 response
28 May	GoToWebinar	qldwater	qldwater Essentials Webinar #8 -Old School Asset Condition Assessment, Department of Environment and Science Update
4 June	GoToWebinar	qldwater	qldwater Essentials Webinar #9 -Cool Wastewater Treatment Projects at Helidon, ColoSSus - COVID-19 Sewage Monitoring
17 June	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	Water Skills Partnership Fundamentals Webinar #1 - Media Filter Backwashing
18 June	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #10 - High-tech tools for high risk condition assessment, Smart lining CRC learnings
23 June	Albion	*qldwater*	TRG Meeting - VIDEOCONFERENCE
25 June	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #11 - Managing PFAS in biosolids at the City of Gold Coast and CCTV and Asset Data Management at Gladstone Regional Council
23 July	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #12 - 90 minute Productivity Commission Special and CCTV and Asset Data Management at Gladstone Regional Council
20 August	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #13 -The Sunwater Cultural Journey, Protect Sewer and Program Management Software Monday.com
10 Sept	Eagle Farm / GoToWebinar	Sigura	Sigura Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test - it's game on!
11 Sept	Eagle Farm / MS Teams	*qldwater*	TRG Meeting
17 September	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #14 -Logan gasification demonstration plant, options for demonstrating sustainability in a water business and long term recycled water release program on the Gold Coast
6 Oct	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	Water Skills Partnership Fundamentals Webinar #2 - High-Pressure Water Jetting - clearing sewer chokes and blockages by Murray Thompson
7-8 Oct	Atherton	Tablelands Regional Council	FNQ Regional Mini-Conference
15 October	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	qldwater Essentials Webinar #15 - MegaShut by Urban Utilities, Biosolids to Bioproducts by Unitywater and CRC-p the WSAA Perspective
21 Oct	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	Water Skills Partnership Fundamentals Webinar #3 - The fundamentals of chlorine disinfection by Terry Fagg
10 Nov	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	Water Skills Partnership Fundamentals Webinar #4
18-19 Nov	Twin Waters	AWA	AWA QWater/ NQWater Conference
26 Nov	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	Essentials Webinar #16 - Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) Mutual Aid Guidelines, TigerNix Asset Failure Predictive Analytics and Lagoon pH licence amendments
2 Dec	GoToWebinar	*qldwater*	Water Skills Partnership Fundamentals Webinar #5
4 Dec	MS Teams	*qldwater*	SPG Meeting

Events 2019

In 2019 qldwater hosted the second Water Skills Partnership Forum and held regional mini conferences in Biloela, Charleville, Townsville and Hervey Bay. Other qldwater events included two Reef Councils Wastewater Stewardship Strategic Assessment Project workshops, an Asset Management Workshop and the Annual Forum in Logan.

Date	Location	Host	Event
7 March	Albion	*qldwater*	Queensland Water Skills Partnership Forum
28 March	Biloela	Banana Shire Council	Regional Mini-Conference
2 May	Brisbane	*qldwater*	*qldwater* Emerging Contaminants Workshop. This event is free for speakers and for up to two representatives per *qldwater* member, with additional attendees charged at $100 per person. For further information contact rfearon@qldwater.com.au.
13 May	Brisbane	Paroo Shire Council	*qldwater* Water Connections Tour Day 1 - Cunnamulla
14 May	Brisbane	Bulloo Shire Council	*qldwater* Water Connections Tour Day 2 - Thargomindah
15 May	Brisbane	Quilpie Shire Council	*qldwater* Water Connections Tour Day 3 - Quilpie
16 May	Brisbane	Murweh Shire Council	*qldwater* Water Connections Tour Day 4 - Charleville
17 May	Brisbane	Murweh Shire Council	*qldwater* Water Connections Tour Day 5 and Regional Mini Conference, Charleville
4 June	Brisbane	*qldwater*	Reef Councils Wastewater Stewardship Strategic Assessment (WWSSA) Project
13 June	Brisbane	*qldwater*	*qldwater* Asset Management Workshop
3 July	Townsville	Townsville City Council	SWIM/swimlocal training and workshop
4 July	Townsville	Townsville City Council	QWRAP meeting, site tour of Haughton Pipeline and dinner
5 July	Townsville	Townsville City Council	Regional Mini-Conference
25 July	Hervey Bay	Fraser Coast Regional Council	QWRAP alliance meeting, tour of a range of sites in Maryborough and Hervey Bay and dinner
26 July	Hervey Bay	Fraser Coast Regional Council	Regional Mini-Conference
11 Sept	Logan	Logan City Council	*qldwater* Annual Forum Day 1 including technical tour showcasing Logan Water Infrastructure Alliance activities
12 Sept	Logan	Logan City Council	*qldwater* Annual Forum Day 2 - presentations
5 Nov	Brisbane	*qldwater*	Reef Councils Wastewater Stewardship Strategic Assessment (WWSSA) Project

Events 2018

Kicking off with the inaugural Water Skills Partnership Forum in February, 2018 events included a Regional Queensland Industry Governance workshop, regional conferences in Cloncurry. Goondiwindi and Bundaberg and the Annual Forum on the Gold Coast.

Date	Location	Host	Event
24 Feb	Berkeley Springs, CA, USA	Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting	International Water Taste Test (Australia's entrant is Toowoomba Regional Council's Mt Kynoch Scheme water)
28 Feb	Brisbane	*qldwater*	Water Skills Partnership Forum - More information and presentations here.
1 Mar	Brisbane	*qldwater*	TRG Regional Queensland Industry Governance Workshop
2 Mar	Brisbane	*qldwater*	TRG Meeting
15-16 Mar	Goondiwindi	IPWEAQ	IPWEAQ SWQ Branch Conference
11 Apr	Brisbane	*qldwater*	Strategic Advisory Committee Meeting
18-20 Apr	Cairns	IPWEAQ	IPWEAQ NQ Branch Conference
8-10 May	Brisbane	AWA	Ozwater 2018
14-18 May	Normanton, Gununa, Burketown, Doomadgee, Mount Isa, Cloncurry	*qldwater*	Water Connections Tour
18 May	Cloncurry	Cloncurry Shire Council	*qldwater* Regional Conference and Best of the Best Water Taste Test - More information and presentations here.
31 May	Brisbane	*qldwater*	SCADA Workshop - SCADA & Control Systems and Cyber Security. Open to all. - More information and register here. Access presentations here (members and attendees only)
1 Jun	Brisbane	*qldwater*	TRG Meeting
6-7 Jun	Logan	WIOA	WIOA Qld Conference
6-7 Jun	Logan	WIOA	Water of Origin Taste Test Queensland Live Mains Tapping Competition
14-16 Jun	Barcaldine	IPWEAQ	IPWEAQ CQ Branch Conference
TBA Jul	Cairns	AWA	AWA NQ Conference
18 Jul	Goondiwindi	Goondiwindi Regional Council	*qldwater* Mini Conference and Best of the Best Water Taste Test More information and register here.
9 Aug	Bundaberg	Bundaberg Regional Council	*qldwater* Mini Conference and Best of the Best Water Taste Test More information and presentations here.
5 Sept	Gold Coast	*qldwater*	*qldwater* Annual Forum Day 1 - Technical Tour, visiting Commonwealth Games infrastructure More information and presentations here.
6 Sept	Gold Coast	*qldwater*	*qldwater* Annual Forum Day 2 - Presenting solutions to 6 of the 10 industry issues, including resource recover and industry benchmarking More information and presentations here.
7 Sept	Brisbane	*qldwater*	TRG Meeting
10-12 Oct	Gold Coast	IPWEAQ	IPWEAQ State Conference
18 Oct	Toowoomba	WIOA	National Taste Test
29-31 Oct	Brisbane	LGAQ	LGAQ Annual Conference
7 Nov	Brisbane	*qldwater*	Strategic Advisory Committee Meeting
7 Dec	Brisbane	*qldwater*	TRG Meeting

Events 2017

Special workshops included an Automated Metering / Digital Utilities Workshop and a Leakage Management Workshop. Regional mini conferences were held in Dalby, Yeppoon and Mackay and the Annual Forum was hosted by Queensland Urban Utilities at the Innovation Centre.

Date	Location	Host	Event
16 February	Brisbane	*qldwater*	Automated Metering / Digital Utilities Workshop presentations (attendee and member access only) Event Website
1 March	Dalby	Western Downs Regional Council	SWQ Conference
22 March	Yeppoon	Livingstone Shire Council	CQ Conference
8-12 May	Wide Bay Burnett/ CQ	Bundaberg, North Burnett, Banana, Central Highlands, Woorabinda, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Livingstone	Water Connections Week
25 May	Brisbane	*qldwater* - by popular demand	Leakage Management Workshop presentations (attendee and member access only) Event Website
7 June	Logan Metro Sports Complex	Queensland Live Mains Tapping Competition at WIOA Conference	Queensland Live Mains Tapping Competition
19 July	Mackay	Mackay Regional Council	NQ Conference
6-7 Sept	Brisbane (Brisbane City, Spring Hill, Eagle Farm, Luggage Point STP)	*qldwater* Annual Forum Day 1 Tour (hosted by Queensland Urban Utilities), Vendor Showcase and Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test	2017 *qldwater* Annual Forum and Tour Draft Program and Registration
7 Sept	Brisbane (Albion)	*qldwater* Annual Forum Day 2 Forum Day (hosted by *qldwater*'s Technical Reference Group)	Presentations - attendees and members access only
29 Nov	Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre \| followed by Harbour Cruise	Water and Wastewater Interest Day qldwater and Gladstone Regional Council	Water and Wastewater: Common success and issues experienced within Central Queensland.

Events 2016

Regional mini conferences were held in Hervey Bay, Townsville and Emerald and the Annual Forum took place at Colleges Crossing and Riverview Hotel.

South East Queensland Conference Program, Urangan

Wednesday, 13 April 2016

12.30pm	Arrival, registration	Meet at Wide Bay Water, 29 Ellengowan St, Urangan
1.00pm	Technical tour and site visits by coach (BYO hat, sunscreen, water and walking shoes)	Lenthalls Dam, Burgowan Water Treatment Plant, Nikenbah Wastewater Treatment Plant, Hebblewhite Reuse Farm
5.00pm	Return to Wide Bay Water
Evening	Dinner and drinks - optional	Dinner sponsored by Wide Bay Water Corporation - Cafe Balaena

Thursday, 14 April 2016

Time	Speaker	Topic
8.30am	Tea and coffee on arrival
9.00am	Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	Welcome and introduction
9.25am	Kane Macready, Engineers Plus	Principal Sponsor Address
9.30am	Peter Care, Wide Bay Water Corporation	Welcome and Overview of Wide Bay Water Corporation projects
10.00am	Paul Newman, Dial Before You Dig	Why you should Dial Before You Dig
10.15am	Bilfinger, Lonza, Royce Water Technologies and SPEL Environmental	Silver Sponsors - elevator pitches
10.30am	Morning Tea
11.00am	Nerida Airs, Manager Water and Waste Water, South Burnett Regional Council	Overview of new technologies used at Gordonbrook Water Treatment Plant near Kingaroy
11.30am	Peter Donaghy, General Manager Treatment & Environmental Management Operations, Queensland Urban Utilities	Sustainable sewage treatment business can deliver more for less
12.00am	WaSP Wars
12.30pm	Lunch
1.15pm	Ian McArdle, Mackay Regional Council	Innovations in data management to realise value in water businesses
1.45pm	WBBROC Water Alliance	Panel Session: SCADA collaboration and regional challenges
2.15pm	Trevor Dean, Wide Bay Water Corporation	Sewer relining program
2.45pm	Afternoon Tea
3.15pm	Kelly Hopewell, Gold Coast Water, City of Gold Coast	Report on recent Churchill Fellowship trip to USA and South America: International trends of biosolids management: what can we apply back home?
4.00pm	Denis Heron, Wide Bay Water Corporation	Wide Bay Water's approach to THM Management
4.30pm	Networking Drinks
5.00pm	Conference concludes

North Queensland Conference Program, Townsville

Time	Speaker	Topic
9.30am	Arrival	Tea and Coffee provided
9.45am	Keith Parsons, Director Townsville Water and Waste	Townsville City Council - Welcome to Townsville
9.50am	Dave Cameron, *qldwater*	Welcome and introduction
10.20am	Prof. Paul Simshauser, Director-General, Department of Energy and Water Supply	Principal Sponsor Address - DEWS upcoming work program
10.35am	Jonathan Ham, Cairns Regional Council	Challenges operators of advance WWTPs face in tropical environments (supported by WIOA)
11.05am	Break
11.30am	Terry O'Keeffe, Dial Before You Dig	Why it is vital to Dial Before You Dig
11.45am	Chris McCallum, Cassowary Coast Regional Council (WIOA)	Challenges for Operators in NQ/FNQ
12.15pm	Bilfinger, Lonza, Royce Water Technologies<	Sponsors - Elevator pitches
12.30pm	WaSP Wars	A water based game of tactical skill and knowledge
12.50pm	BREAK	Lunch
1.30pm	Laura Shiels, Townsville City Council	Managing water quality under drought imposed water restrictions
2.00pm	Damien Sharland & Janice Wilson, Mackay Regional Council	Nutrient analyser feedback control for demonstrated operational savings
2.30pm	Adam Lovell & Jeff Rigby, Water Services Association of Australia	Elevating performance of urban water utilities in Australia
3.00pm	Jason Langue, Townsville City Council	Residential behaviour change approaches to achieving water demand reductions
3.30pm	Break	Afternoon tea
3.45pm	Esther Bank, Townsville Water and Waste	Water reservoir strategy and its implementation for Townsville
4.15pm	Ian Clarke, Charters Towers Regional Council	From Cockroach to Cane Toad - W&S surprises in the transition from Central Coast NSW to NQ
4.45pm	Conference concludes
6.00pm	Networking drinks at the Riverview Tavern
6.30pm	Optional dinner (additional cost applies)	The Riverview Tavern, 247-251 Riverside Road, Riverside Gardens, Townsville

Central Queensland Conference Program, Emerald

Time	Speaker	Topic
9.30am	Arrival and registration
9.45am	Cr Kerry Hayes, Mayor Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC)	Welcome
9.50am	Peter Manning, CHRC	W&S Overview
10.15am	Dave Cameron, *qldwater*	Welcome and introduction
10.45am	Michael Dalton, Livingstone Shire Council	TC Marcia - the Livingstone Shire Council experience
11.05am	Morning Tea
11.20am	Terry O'Keeffe, Dial Before You Dig	Why it is vital to Dial Before You Dig
11.40am	George Baker / Ed Dahlheimer, Gladstone Regional Council	Dabbling in electricity supply: lessons learnt from installing a HV network for sewage pump stations on Curtis Island
12.00pm	Hydramet, Bilfinger, Lonza, Royce Water Technologies	Sponsors - Elevator pitches
12.20pm	WaSP Wars	A water based game of tactical skill and knowledge
12.40pm	BREAK	Lunch
1.30pm	Jason Plumb, Fitzroy River Water	Ensuring Rockhampton's water supply security
2.00pm	Anthony Lipsys, Banana Shire Council	Asset Rehabilitation - Manholes or Money Pits?
2.30pm	Toni Stiles, DEWS	DEWS Regulator Update
2.45pm	David Scheltinga, *qldwater*	Making your SWIM data work for you
3.00pm	Bus departs for Technical Tour	East Nogoa Water Treatment Plant, Emerald
4.30pm	Bus returns to venue

2016 Innovation Forum Day 1

Technical Tour - Colleges Crossing

Time	Session	Speaker
8.50	Bus to Colleges Crossing	Meet at *qldwater* office, 4/43-49 Sandgate Rd, Albion. Bus leaves at 9am sharp.
10.00	Arrive Colleges Crossing Cafe, Mt Crosby	Lodge taste test samples.
10.15	Seqwater Presentation 1	Seqwater filter pilot trial - Mathew Clements
10.35	Morning tea and Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test	Delegates to participate in a blind taste off of all water samples
11.00	Seqwater Presentation 2	Bio-filtration pilot trials Capalaba - Deb Gale / Katrin Doederer, Seqwater
11.20	Taste Test Final	Panel introduction by Glynn Parry, Ixom
11.45	'Olympics' activity	Mains tapping competition hosted by Gold Coast Water. Water tanker for the competition supplied by H2Flow Water Services.
12.20	Lunch
13.00	Technical Tour (PPE required: long sleeved shirt, long pants, hi-vis vest, closed in shoes, hat and safety glasses.)	Proceed to Mt Crosby Westbank WTP
13.30		Tour of plant by Yang Zhang, Seqwater
14.45		Depart Mt Crosby Westbank WTP
15.00		Tour of Eastbank Pump Station and presentation on coagulant dosing optimisation - Christina Lockett, Seqwater
15.30		Depart Eastbank Pump Station
16.30	Bus returns to Albion	Own arrangements for dinner

2016 Innovation Forum Program Day 2

Riverview Hotel, Brisbane

Time	Session	Speaker
8.45	Arrival	Tea and coffee on arrival.
9.00	Welcome Address	Steve Gray, *qldwater* Technical Reference Group Chair
9.05	Innovation Principles and Scene Setting	Dave Cameron and Rob Fearon, *qldwater*
9.20	Keynote Speaker	Remote Sensing: applications and possibilities for the urban water industry - Dan Tindall, Principal Scientist, Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation
9.40	Contemporary Disruptors and Trends	Infrastructure planning and financing: asset options and evaluation tools - Raveen Perera, Queensland Treasury Corporation
9.45		Case Study: Transferring Business, Planned Maintenance - Richard Petterson, Exectuive Leader Operations & Service Delivery, Queensland Urban Utilities
9.55		Workforce diversity and strategies to access untapped employment markets - Anthony Lipsys, Manager Water Services, Banana Shire Council

10.00	Morning Tea
10.30	DEWS Themed Session Chair: David Sheehan, GM Water Quality Performance & Regulation, Coliban Water	Address from Paul Simshauser, DG, Department of Energy and Water Supply (DEWS)
10.45		Setting the scene: Trends and issues in water management and regulation - David Sheehan, Coliban Water
10.55		Amalgamations at Toowoomba: Evaluating options for infrastructure efficiency - Kevin Flanagan, GM Water and Waste Services, Toowoomba Regional Council
11.10		Panel Session
11.25		Complexities of Service Planning in a Resource Community - Peter Manning, Manager Water Utilities, Central Highlands Regional Council
11.40		Securing Water for Cairns - Steven Porter, Manager Infrastructure, Water and Waste, Cairns Regional Council
11.55		'Round the Traps' Quick Updates: Blackwater Update - Peter Manning, Central Highlands Regional Council MiWater Mackay - Linda Roberts, Mackay Regional Council Joint reservoir and mains cleaning, Outback Regional Water Alliance - Neil Stiles
12.10		Panel session continued
12.30	Lunch	Sponsored by Ventia
13.15	DEHP Themed Session Chair: Mark O'Donahue, CEO Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence	Address from Jim Reeves, DG, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP)
13.30		Strategies for licensing improvements across treatment plants - Cameron Jackson, Queensland Urban Utilities
13.45		Diatomix - Blue Green Algae Control - Luisa Magalhaes and Scott Lowe, Unitywater
14.00		Panel Session
14.20		Mackay sewer management plan and sewer sensors - Linda Roberts, Mackay Regional Council
14.35		'Round the Traps' quick updates: NEREDA Technology: Kingaroy Wastewater Treatment Plant - Nerida Airs, Manager Water and Wastewater, South Burnett Regional Council; Biggenden Rocks - Trevor Harvey, Manager Technical Services, North Burnett Regional Council; Beaudesert Stream Bank Remediation - Cameron Jackson, Leader Water Quality and Environment Planning Group, QUU
14.55		DEHP Panel Continued
15.15	Afternoon Tea
15.30	Enabling Innovation Session	QUU Innovation Program Journey - Col Chapman, Innovation Research and Development Manager, QUU
15.45		QUU CEO Innovation Hour: Live demonstration of project refinement process - Louise Dudley, QUU CEO and WSAA Chair; Scott Mason, CEO Central Highlands Regional Council; Jason Devitt, Director Waste Engineering and Commercial Infrastructure, Mackay Regional Council
16.30	Wrap up Session	Synthesis of actions from the day and the plan going forward - Cr Paul Bell, Central Highlands Regional Council
17.00	Break
17.30	Drinks
18.00	Dinner	David Snadden, General Manager Strategy and Communications, Yarra Valley Water
21.30	Close

Events 2015

In 2015 we kicked off with a Steve Hrudey workshop, supported by Queensland Health. Regional mini conferences included Rockhampton, Cairns, Ingham and the Gold Coast and the Innovation Forum was held on the Sunshine Coast.

Date	Venue	Host	Event
20 February	Brisbane	Supported by the Queensland Department of Health	Steve Hrudey workshop
16 April	Rockhampton Regional Library	Rockhampton Regional Council	Central Queenlsand Regional Conference
4 - 7 May	Yarrabah, Cairns, Atherton, Mareeba, Hope Vale, Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, Port Douglas, Cairns	Yarrabah ASC, Tablelands RC, Mareeba SC, Hope Vale ASC, Cook SC, Wujal Wujal ASC, Douglas SC, Cairns RC	Water Connections Week Sponsored by Dial Before You Dig
8 May	Civic Reception Room, Cairns	Cairns Regional Council	FNQ Regional Conference and Taste Test
15 June	Barcaldine	Barcaldine Regional Council	SWIM Training and WQ Taste Test
17-18 June	Toowoomba	WIOA	WIOA State Conference and Water of Origin Taste Test. Queensland Winners (Richmond) compete against NSW.
23 June	Tyto Precinct Conference Centre, Ingham	Hinchinbrook Shire Council	Water Quality Awareness and Distribution System Management Workshop and NQ Taste Test
31 July	St George	LGAQ	LGAQ Bush Council Forum St George, including SWQ Taste Test
20 Aug	Smart Water Research Centre, Gold Coast	Gold Coast Water and Smart Water Research Centre	SEQ Regional Conference and Taste Test
4 - 5 Nov	Sunshine Coast	Unitywater	2015 Innovation Forum and Taste Test Grand Final

Central Queensland Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
9.10am	Registration, morning tea on arrival
9.15am	Matthew Donohoe, Ixom	Taste Test Sponsors - Brief overview of name change & new focus of Ixom in the water sector
9.30am	Rockhampton Regional Council, Councillor Greg Belz	Introduction and welcome
9.35am	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, qldwater	*qldwater*progress report and taste test introduction
10.00am	Jason Plumb, Fitzroy River Water	South Rockhampton STP Upgrade
10.30am	Mark Harvey, Townsville City Council	Drinking Water Quality Management Plans
11.00am	Break
11.15am	Julian Tickle, Townsville City Council	Chlorates Project, Phase 1
11.45am	Craig Hamilton, Mackay Regional Council	Our Journey: One council's experience - lessons from a serious trenching incident
12.15pm	LUNCH	CQ Regional Final, Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test, Water Tasting
1.00pm	David Halliwell, Water Research Australia	A pragmatic approach to prepare for HBT implementation
	Afternoon session continues with option of Technical Tour or Workshop
1.30pm	Bus departs for Technical Tour / Concurrently with workshop below	Treatment Plant Tour - returning approx 4pm Option of either tour or workshop to be selected prior to event
1.30pm	Inflow / Infiltration Workshop	Introduction to session and update on ERA63 negotiations
1.45pm	Evan Davison, Rockhampton Regional Council with Orion Australia	North Rockhampton Flood Mitigation Project
2.15pm	Linda Pearson, Mackay Regional Council	I & I - what problem are we trying to solve?
2.4 pm	Shannon Orr, GHD	Inflow and Infiltration - Monitoring to modelling and how this impacts infrastructure costing
3.15pm	Addressing the hard questions	Workshop session
3.50pm	Feedback and future actions	Progressing further on the issue and how?
4.00pm	Bus returns from Technical Tour
4.30pm	Afternoon Tea	Announcing winner of the CQ Ixom Best of the Best Water Taste Test
5.00pm	Networking drinks	Venue TBA

Far North Queensland Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
10.00am	Registration, morning tea on arrival	Lodgement of water taste test samples
10.10am	Graham O'Byrne, General Manager, Cairns Water and Waste	Welcome and introduction to Cairns
10.15am	Gerhard Floridia & Glyn Parry, Ixom	Taste Test Sponsor - Brief overview of name change & new focus of Ixom in the water sector
10.30am	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	*qldwater* progress report and taste test introduction
11.00am	Toni Veronese, Cairns Regional Council	CTM Alliance
11.30am	Chris Mooney, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection	EHP Update
12.00pm	Richard Scott, Department of Energy and Water Supply	DEWS Update
12.30pm	Simon Page, Cairns Regional Council	Servicing to regional councils
1.00pm	Lunch, FNQ Regional Final Water Tasting Session and Best Palate Competition	Far North Queensland Regional Final - Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
1.45pm	Michael Lever, Leveredge	Waterborne Disease Epidemics
2.15pm	To be advised	to be advised
2.45pm	Rob Fearon, *qldwater*	The cost of efficiency for urban water and sewerage services
3.15pm	Afternoon tea. Taste Test Winner and "Water Guru" Winner announced
3.45pm	Simon Page, Cairns Regional Council	Edmonton WWTP - RAS
4.15pm	Pat Nixon, Cairns Regional Council	WSAG Community Collaboration
4.45pm	Close	Networking drinks

Water Quality Awareness Workshop and North Queensland Taste Test

Time	Venue	Topic
9.00am	Registration	Tea, coffee + morning tea on arrival
9.20am	Welcome and introduction, Dave Cameron, *qldwater*	*qldwater* progress report and taste test introduction
9.40am	Peter Mosse	Training Seminar
		Distribution system and public health Pathogen management Filters and disinfection ADWG Framework Control points, target objectives, critical limits and corrective action Distribution system targets Operator responsibilities How can pathogens get into the distribution system and what do we need to do about it? Disinfection
12.00pm	Lunch	Including the NQ Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
1.00 pm	Peter Mosse	Training Seminar Resumes
		Repair tappings and new mains System clearing Optimisation of distribution system
3.30pm	Afternoon tea	Announcing winner of the NQ Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
4.00 pm	CLOSE

South East Queensland Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
9.15am	Registration, morning tea and lodgement of water samples
9.30am	Welcome from Gold Coast Water	Dick Went, Manager, Operational Strategy, Gold Coast Water
9.35am	Gerhard Floridia & Glyn Parry, Ixom	Taste Test sponsors - brief overview of name change and new focus of Ixom in the water sector
9.45am	Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	Welcome and introduction
10.15am	Rob Fearon, *qldwater*	Cost Drivers
10.30am	Dr John Xie and Dr Mio Li, Smart Water Research Centre	PONDS - getting the most out of the water treated by maturation ponds
11.00am	Bradley Taylor, Redland Water, Redland Water and Waste	Point Lookout Project / PS67 Pump Upgrade
11.30am	Kelly Hopewell, Gold Coast Water	Showcase of Projects
12.00pm	Daryl Ross, Water Business Manager, Logan City Council	What's Happening in Logan?
12.30pm	Lunch	South East Queensland Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test and Best Palate Competition
"I’ll show you mine if you show me yours"; Presentations and workshop discussion sessions		IT Issues and Solutions for Water and Sewerage
1.15pm	Scott Casey, Bundaberg Regional Council	Work management systems, data capture approaches including metering and field tools
1.55pm	John Betts / Alan Kleinschmidt, Toowoomba Regional Council	Practical limitations of a corporate environment – how to ensure a focus on best outcomes for water and sewerage services with the broader organisation driving choice of systems (asset management, GIS, finance, HR)
2.20pm	David Brooker, Mackay Regional Council	Customers – customer engagement / systems, customers business drivers and systems positively influencing customer behaviour
2.45pm	Afternoon tea	Announcing winner of the South East Queensland Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test and SEQ "Water Guru"
3.15pm	Technical Tour - departing from Griffith University G:Link Station	G:Link - Gold Coast Light Rail tour, including talks and stops
5.45pm	Conference Close	Return to Smart Water Research Centre or hop off the tram at your accommodation stop
6.30pm	Optional Dinner including drinks	Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, Beachside, Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach

2015 Innovation Forum and Taste Test Grand Final

Time	Session	Presentation	Speaker
9.25	Principal Sponsor's Address	Andy Hornbuckle, SPEL Environmental
9.35	Introduction and Welcome	Innovation at Unitywater	George Theo, Unitywater
9.45	Keynote Speaker	Efficiency Benchmarking	Professor Andrew Worthington, Griffith University
10.15	Technology Papers	Chair: Jason Devitt
10.15		Cultivation of freshwater Macroalgae in wastewater	Nicholas Paul, James Cook University
10.35		NEREDA sewage treatment technology at Kingaroy	Russell Hood / Nerida Airs, South Burnett Regional Council
10.55		Mobility / paperless field solutions	Simon Page, Cairns Regional Council
11.15		Aeration at reservoirs to assist in THM removal	Trevor Dean, Wide Bay Water Corporation
11.35		JCS liquid vacuum chemical feeder trial	Luisa Magalhaes, Unitywater
11.50		Sewerbatt / SL RAT comparative trial	Craig Ma, QUU
12.05		Panel - Overview of collaborative trials	David Fillmore, Unitywater; Craig Ma, QUU; Nicholas Paul, JCU
12.25	Lunch	Address from Jon Black, DG, Department of Environment & Heritage Protection
13.25	DEWS-Themed Panel Session	Chair: Dick Went
13.25		Panel - Customers and approaches	Davina McCormick, QUU; Judy Bailey, Unitywater; David Brooker, Mackay Regional Council
13.55	Building Capacity in Operations and Support Services	Chair: Dave Cameron
14.00		Workforce Transformation at Unitywater	Kenan Hibberd, Unitywater
14.10		When operators become health professionals	Kathy Northcott, Veolia
14.20		Roll out of new AM systems, Literacy and Numeracy	Kim Moore, Unitywater
14.30		Achieving service delivery standards in regional South Australia	Steve Rose, SA Water
14.40		Panel session - building capacity in operations and support services
14.50		Panel session - building capacity in operations and support services
15.10		Wrap up / summary of discussion
15.20	EHP-Themed Panel Session	Chair: Rob Fearon
15.20		Balancing requirements for wastewater releases and environmental improvement	Dick Went, Gold Coast Water; Jon Black, DEHP; Cameron Jackson, QUU
15.50	Afternoon Tea	Announcing the winner of the Taste Test
16.05	Regulation and Data	Chair: Keith Parsons
16.05		NPR, benchmarking and efficiency	Peter Gee, WSAA
16.35		Benchmarking opportunities for Queensland	Rob Fearon, qldwater
16.55		Level playing field - private service providers	Matt Dawson, AWA
17.15	Future Directions	Chair: John Betts / qldwater
17.45	Break
18.30		Dinner Presentation	Mark Pascoe, International Water Centre
19.00		Dinner
22.00	Conclude

Events 2014

Regional mini conferences and taste test events were held in Bundaberg, Warwick, Gladstone, Mackay, Mount Isa and Innisfail. The taste test grand final took place at the IPWEAQ State Conference in Caloundra.

Date	Region	Venue	Host
27, 28 March	SEQ Regional Conference	Bargara Community Hall	Bundaberg Regional Council
12 - 16 May	Water Connections Week	Dalby, Roma, St George, Goondiwindi, Warwick	Western Downs, Maranoa, Balonne, Goondiwindi and Southern Downs Regional Councils
16 May	SWQ Regional Conference	Cafe Jacqui Conference Room, Warwick	Southern Downs Regional Council
13 June	CQ Regional Conference	Gladstone Entertainment Centre	Gladstone Regional Council- linking with AWA event on 12 June
29 July	NQ Conference and Taste Test	Mackay	Mackay Regional Council - linking with AWA event
21 August	WQ Regional Conference	Civic Centre, Mount Isa	Mount Isa City Council
11 September	FNQ Conference and Taste Test	Innisfail	Cassowary Coast Regional Council
8-10 October	Taste Test Grand Final - IPWEAQ State Conference	Caloundra	IPWEAQ

South East Queensland Conference Program

Thursday 27 March

Time	Speaker	Topic
12.00pm	Registration and lunch on arrival. Lodgement of water samples	SEQ Taste Test Semi Final takes place during afternoon tea on Thursday 27 March
12.15pm	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	Welcome and Introduction
12.45pm	Discussion Session	Topics to be nominated on arrival
1.15pm	Scott Reid, Compliance Officer, Bundaberg Regional Council	Overview of Bundaberg Regional Council Water Service Areas
1.45pm	George Lech, Key Account Manager, Orica Australia	And Now For Something Completely Different.....
2.15pm	Christian Truscott & Mark Newland, Tenix	Constructing and Commissioning / Process Proving - Whitsunday Treatment Plants - Presented by the Australian Water Association Queensland Branch
2.45pm	Tino Ferrero, National Construction Manager - Water & Enviro Specialist Engineering, John Holland Group	Observations from Major Water Infrastructure Delivery Projects Around Australia - Presented by the Australian Water Association Queensland Branch
3.15 pm	Afternoon tea, Water Tasting SEQ Final	Orica Australia "Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test"
3.45 pm	Kym Kneebone, Treatment Coordinator, Bundaberg Regional Counc	Now the Mud has Dried - Overview of the January 2013 Flood
4.15 pm	Shane Grimstone, Client Relationship Manager & Fleet Contracts, Local Buy	The Merchant of Fairness - Integrity, Honesty, Ethics, Transparency and Fairness in Procurement
4.30pm	Networking Drinks
Evening	Dinner and drinks at Bargara Golf Club (optional)	Additional cost applies (see registration form for details)

Friday 28 March

Time	Speaker	Topic
9.00am	Tea and coffee on arrival
9.30am	Dr Rob Fearon, *qldwater*	Council Leaders in Urban Water
10.00am	Brett Kronk, Environment Technical Officer, Bundaberg Regional Council	Beneficial use of Biosolids
10.30am	Morning tea	Taste test winner announced and Best Palate Competition
11.00am	Andy Hornbuckle / Clint Mead, SPEL Environmental	Floating Wetlands Technology
11.30am	Trevor Harvey, North Burnett Regional Council	Biggenden Rocks
12.00pm	Lunch
12.30pm	Technical Tour Site Visits by coach (BYO hat, sunscreen, water and walking shoes)	Lovers Walk Ground Water Treatment Plant, Branyan Water Treatment Plant, Thabeban Wastewater Treatment Plant - Upgrade Project
4.00pm	Coach Returns to Bargara Community Hall

South West Queensland Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
10.00am	Registration - Morning tea on arrival, lodgement of water taste test samples	South West Queensland Water Taste Test Semi Final take place during lunch.
10.30am	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	Welcome and introduction
11.00am	Discussion Session - Industry "Hot Topics"	Open session - topics to be nominated by conference delegates on arrival
11.30am	Allan Petersingham, Southern Downs Regional Council	Allora Water Main Project Lessons Learned
12.00pm	George Lech, Key Account Manager, Orica Australia	And Now for Something Completely Different...
12.15pm	Bevan Edwards, Coordinator Trade Waste Services, Toowoomba Regional Council	Introduction of a Trade Waste Environmental Management Plan
12.45pm	Lunch, Water Tasting and Judging
1.15pm	Michael Lever, Leveredge	Waterborne Disease Outbreaks
1.45pm	Peter Vance, Senior Regulatory Analyst, Water Policy and Economics, Department of Energy and Water Supply	Regulatory Reform and KPIs 2014
2.15pm	Rob Fearon, Director Innovation Partnerships, qldwater	Council Leaders in Urban Water
2.45pm	Ben Godford, Maranoa Regional Council	Roma Sewerage Major Projects
3.15pm	Afternoon tea, Winner of taste test announced followed by Best Palate Competition	South West Queensland Regional Final, Best of the Best Water Taste Test
3.45pm	Will Higgins, Principal Engineer, Water Project Services and Vish Mariaprakasam, Engineer, Water Project Services, Toowoomba Regional Council	Pechey WTP Project History and Progression
4.15pm	Ashleigh Bailey, Southern Downs Regional Council	Southern Downs Water Modelling
4.45pm	Networking Drinks
5.15pm	Conference Close

Central Queensland Regional Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
9.30am	Morning tea on arrival	Lodgement of taste test water samples
10.00am	Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	Welcome and introduction
10.30am	Discussion session Industry "Hot Topics"	Open forum - topics to be nominated by conference delegates on arrival
11.00am	Andy Hornbuckle, SPEL Environmental	Floating wetlands technology
11.30am	Paul Newman, Dial Before You Dig	Dangers associated with not following safe digging practices
12.00pm	Lunch. CQ Final Orica Australia Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test	CQ final water tasting
1.00pm	Phil Boshoff, Gladstone Regional Council, Shannon Orr, GHD	Curtis Island Water and Sewerage
1.30pm	Moira Zeilinga, Central Highlands Regional Council	Water Quality challenges at Blackwater
2.00pm	Afternoon tea. Taste Test winner announced, followed by "Best Palate Competition"	And the winner is...
2.30pm	Sarah Lunau, Gladstone Area Water Board	Developing and delivering effective DWQMPs
3.00pm	Troy Leydon, Fitzroy River Water	Domestic Water Meter Accuracy Report
3.30pm	Michelle Hill, Manager Skills and Strategy	Technical assessment and mentoring for regional and remote water operators
4.00pm	Networking drinks
4.30pm	Close

Western Queensland Regional Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
8.30am	Technical Tour - Mount Isa Wastewater Treatment Plant and Pump Station 1	Delegates to meet at the Wastewater Treatment Plant off Commercial Rd at 8.30am
9.30am	Return from Technical Tour - morning tea on arrival	Lodgement of taste test samples
10.00am	Cr Tony McGrady, Mayor, Mount Isa City Council	Conference opening and welcome to Mount Isa
10.15am	Dave Cameron, Acting CEO *qldwater*	Welcome and introduction
10.30am	Discussion Session, Industry Hot Topics	Open forum - topics to be nominated by delegates on arrival
11.00am	Andy Hornbuckle, SPEL Environmental	Floating Wetland Technology
11.30am	Terry O'Keeffe, Dial Before You Dig	Dangers associated with not following safe digging practices
12.00pm	Mark Samblebe, Aeramix Pty Ltd	Richmond Shire Water Quality Improvements
12.30pm	Lunch	WQ Final Water Tasting Session
1.30pm	Ricardo Marino, Mount Isa City Council	MICC Sewerage Augmentation Project - Stage 1
2.00pm	Michelle Hill, *qldwater*	Skills and Training
2.30pm	Mark Harvey, Townsville City Council	DWQMP - taking it off the shelf
3.00pm	Afternoon Tea	Announcing Taste Test winner followed by 'Best Palate Competition'
3.30pm	Networking drinks
4.30pm	Close

Events 2013

Six regional conferences were held in Gympie, Toowoomba, Townsville, Cooktown, Longreach and Rockhampton.

Date	Region	Venue	Host
21 Feb	SEQ Regional Conference	Gympie	Gympie Regional Council
17/18 April	SWQ Regional Conference	Empire Church Theatre, Toowoomba	Toowoomba Regional Council
29 April - 3 May	Water Connections Tour	Mount Isa, Cloncurry, McKinlay, Richmond, Flinders, Charters Towers, Townsville
3 May	NQ Regional Conference	Townsville	Townsville City Council
15 May	FNQ Regional Conference	Cooktown Events Centre	Cook Shire Council
27 June	WQ Regional Conference	Longreach Civic Centre	Linked to IPWEAQ Branch Conference
1 August	CQ Regional Conference	Rockhampton Regional Library	Rockhampton Regional Council

South West Queensland Conference Program

Wednesday, 17 April

Time	Speaker	Topic
12.00pm	Registration and lunch
1.00pm	Kevin Flanagan, General Manager Water and Waste Services, Toowoomba Regional Council	Welcome and overview of the Toowoomba Water Supply Network
1.30pm	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	qldwater progress report and taste test introduction
2.00pm	George Lech, Key Account Manager, Orica	Fight Club
2.15pm	Shane Grimstone, Client Relationship Manager, Local Buy	Procurement and Probity
2.30pm	Craig McMahon, Engineer - Network Planning & Bruce Gaydon, Coordinator Water Demand Management, Toowoomba Regional Council	Water end use study
3.00pm	Justin Watts, Engineering Manager, Mondadelphous	Back to the Future 2050
3.30pm	Michael Shellshear, Project Engineer, Balonne Shire Council	Impacts of Natural Disasters on Balonne Shire’s Water and Sewerage Infrastructure
4.00pm	Terry Fagg, Water Treatment Principal, Western Downs Regional Council	Ten years of desalination operation
4.30pm	Networking Drinks

Thursday, 18 April

Time	Speaker	Topic
8.00am	Tea and coffee on arrival and lodging water samples
8.30am	Dr Rob Fearon, *qldwater*	30 year strategies we can start right now!
9.00am	Alan Kleinschmidt, Manager Water Operations, Toowoomba Regional Council	Operational benefits brought about by Toowoomba Regional Council amalgamation
9.30am	Aleisha Wrigley, Western Downs Regional Council	Flood recovery and recycled water production
10.00am	Dr Helen Stratton, Microbiologist, Smart Water Research Centre	Rapid Diagnostics - what can be done now, in the near future and 5-10 years away
10.30am	Morning tea and Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test	SWQ Regional Final
11.00am	TRG Session	Open session
11.45am	Announcing Winner of the SWQ Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
12.00pm	Bus tour of Perseverance and Cressbrook dams
1.30pm	Lunch provided at the dam
4.30pm	End of conference

North Queensland Regional Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
9.45am	Registration, morning tea and lodgement of water samples
10.15am	Cr Ray Gartell, Water Chair, Townsville City Council	Introduction and Welcome
10.30am	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	*qldwater* progress report and taste test introduction
11.00am	George Lech, Key Account Manager, Orica	Fight Club
11.15am	Neil Walker, Operations Manager, Trility	Topic TBC
11.30pm	Rob Fearon, *qldwater*	30 year strategies we can start right now!
12.00pm	Linda Pearson, Project Manager Planning and Sustainability, Mackay Regional Council	Impacts of a new regulatory environment, green tape reduction and practical implications for councils.
12.30pm	Lunch	North Queensland Semi Final of the Orica Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
1.30pm	Julian Tickle, Water Treatment Engineer, Townsville Water	Helping North Burnett – first responses to natural disasters.
2.00pm	Michael Lever, *qldwater*	What stresses me out – my ten worst nightmares.
2.30pm	Mark Harvey, Manager Water Operations, Townsville Water	Northern Water Treatment Plant.
3.00pm	Announcing NQ winner of the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
3.10pm	Mark Vis, Manager Wastewater Operations, Townsville Water	Cleveland Bay Purification Plant’s Hydrogen Sulphide experience.
3.40pm	Technical Reference Group Session	Open forum
4.15pm	Close and pack up
4.30pm	Networking Drinks

Far North Queensland Regional Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
10.00am	Registration, morning tea and lodgement of water samples
10.30am	Cook Shire Council Mayor Peter Scott	Introduction and Welcome
10.45am	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	qldwater progress report and taste test introduction
11.15am	George Lech, Key Account Manager, Orica	Fight Club
11.30am	Dr Rob Fearon, *qldwater*	30 year strategies we can start right now!
12.00pm	Robert Fenn, Cook Shire Council	SWIMLocal Experiences
12.20pm	Lunch	FNQ Semi Final of the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
1.10pm	Matt Fanning, TBG Pty Ltd	Around the Traps - Cloncurry and McKinlay Projects
1.30pm	Pat McGuire, Torres Strait Island Regional Council	Equity in Local Government Funding
1.50pm	Paul Newman, Dial Before You Dig	Dial Before You Dig
2.10pm	Peter Kirchmann, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council	Demand Management for Small Communities
2.30pm	Shane Thomas/Simon Page, Cairns Regional Council	Micro-filtration of a Rural Supply
2.50pm	Announcing the winner of the FNQ Semi Final of the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
3.15pm	Technical Reference Group session	Open forum to discuss issues such as 30 year plan and fluoridation
4.00pm	Networking Drinks
6.00pm	IPWEAQ Welcome and BBQ

Western Queensland Regional Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
10.00am	Registration, morning tea and lodgement of water samples
10.30am	Longreach CEO Mark Watt	Introduction and Welcome
10.45am	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	qldwater progress report and taste test introduction
11.15am	George Lech, Key Account Manager, Orica	Sodium Hypochlorite Storage update
11.30am	Dr Rob Fearon, *qldwater*	30 year strategies we can start right now!
12.00pm	John Roworth, Director Infrastructure Services, Longreach Regional Council	Don't mention the bore!
12.30pm	Lunch	WQ Semi Final of the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test
1.15pm	Paul Newman, Manager, Dial Before You Dig	Why the DBYD service is vital to your business
1.45pm	Philip McKone, Rockhampton Regional Council and Chris Hegarty, Cardno	Keeping the Capricorn Municipal Development Guidelines up to date
2.15pm	David Scheltinga, SWIM Manager, qldwater	SWIM Presentation
2.45pm	Announcing the winner of the WQ Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test	Afternoon Tea
3.00pm	Technical Reference Group session	Open forum to discuss current issues such as the Queensland Government 30 year strategy
3.30pm	John Roworth, Dowdens	Tour of Longreach Water Infrastructure
6.30pm	IPWEAQ Welcome Function

Central Queensland Regional Conference Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
8.00am	Technical Tour - Meet outside library at 0745 for bus transport to Treatment Plant	Emu Park Water Treatment Plant
10.00am	Return from Technical Tour
10.15am	Registration and lodgement of water samples	Morning Tea
10.30am	Rockhampton Regional Councillor Greg Belz	Introduction and welcome
10.45am	Welcome and introduction by Dave Cameron, CEO, *qldwater*	*qldwater* progress report and taste test introduction
11.15am	George Lech, Key Account Manager, Orica Australia	Sodium Hypochlorite Storage Update
11.30am	Michelle Hill, *qldwater*	Skills Programs
12.00pm	Dr Jason Plumb, Rockhampton Regional Council	Managing Changes to Drinking Water Quality and Customer Expectations
12.30pm	Lunch	Central Queensland Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test, Water Tasting / Judging
1.15pm	Aneurin Hughes, Senior Principal & Discipline Leader, Asset Management, Cardno	Management of Knowledge Within a Water Utility
1.45pm	Evan Davison, Rockhampton Regional Council	Wet Weather Sewage Surcharge Management Case Study
2.15pm	Shane Grimstone, Client Relationship Manager, Local Buy	Procurement and Probity
2.45pm	Richard West, Gladstone Area Water Board and Matthew Miller, Gladstone Regional Council	Provision of Water and Sewerage Services to Curtis Island Challenges with Construction of a Desalination Plant
3.30pm	David Karrol, Central Highlands Regional Council	Correct Chemical Use for Coagulation and Flocculation
4.00pm	Technical Reference Group Session	Open forum to discuss current issues including 30 year strategy
4.30pm	Networking Drinks

Events 2012

In 2012 we hosted six regional conferences in Maroochydore, Charleville, Emerald, Longreach, Bowen and Cairns.

Venue	Speaker	Presentation
Maroochydore	Partha Susarla, Strategic Planning Manager, Strategic Planning and Asset Management, Infrastructure Services Division, Unitywater	Case study on Total Water Cycle Management Planning at Unitywater including an overview of the joint project between Unitywater, Moreton Bay Regional Council and Sunshine Coast Council that recently won a Storm Water Industry Award.
	Peter McTaggart, SunWater Project Manager, Connors River Dam and Michael Grosser, Partner, Holding Redlich	An overview of the Connors River Dam project
	Ben Goodall, Strategic Planner, Unitywater, Infrastructure Services Division	Case study on Unitywater and DERM innovatively pushing the traditional sewage treatment plant (STP) licencing/ upgrading boundaries including traditional licensing triggers to plant upgrades; costs of recent upgrades; drivers pushing Unitywater to think “outside” the norm including wetlands; cooperation between DERM and Unitywater; and the way forward.
	Dr Helen Stratton, Smartwater Research Centre	Overview of Rural and Regional Water Security project.
Charleville	Russell Hood – Director of Engineering Services, Murweh Shire Council	Overview of Murweh Shire water and sewerage schemes.
	Neil Judd, CEO, South West NRM	Progress on Healthy Waters Management Plans in the SW catchments and across the Queensland Murray Darling Basin and Carp management work in the Warrego River
	Graham McKeon, Coordinator Management Systems, Water Operations, Toowoomba Regional Council	Overview on Toowoomba Drinking Water Quality Management Plans
Emerald	David Karrol, Manager - Water & Sewerage, Central Highlands Regional Council	Water Management from a New Zealand perspective
	Peter McTaggart, SunWater Project Manager, Connors River Dam and Michael Grosser, Partner, Holding Redlich	As per Maroochydore presentation above.
Longreach	John Roworth, Director of Infrastructure Services, Longreach Regional Council	Longreach Mains Replacement Project: An ECI Model
	Mike Donald, Manager Engineering Services, Barcaldine Regional Council	Watering the Outback
	Thomas Bean, Manager, GABSI, Department of Environment and Resource Management	Update on the GABSI program
Bowen	Ian Clarke, Director of Engineering Services, Etheridge Shire Council	Case Study: Is 'User Pay' possible for a remote town water supply?
	James Stewart, Whitsunday Regional Council	Whitsunday Regional Council's Challenges in Water and Sewerage Management
	Michael Lever – Leveredge	Safe Water
Cairns>	Lynne Powell, Sustainability Coordinator, Water and Waste, Cairs Regional Council	Indigenous Partnerships - Obstacles and Opportunities
	David Karroll, Manager - Water & Sewerage, Central Highlands Regional Council	Disinfection by Chlorination