CONFERENCE THEME

Future-Ready: Resilience through Innovation

How do we build resilience and drive practical solutions to challenges like the impacts of a changing climate, security of resources, and managing cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world?

This program explores how innovation is addressing today’s pressing issues, and why it is critical for predicting and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. Resilience through innovation isn’t just about reacting to change—it’s about proactively shaping agile water systems that are sustainable and reliable.

The conference will highlight the collective ways we can practically and strategically build resilient systems that are future-ready – Together we can achieve tomorrow’s water innovations today.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Monday 28 July

Key timings

State Library Map

Use Entry 1 via Swanston Street

Registration

 8:30am – 9am
Hansen Hall, State Library

Conference

9am – 5pm
Conversation Quarter, State Libaray

Pre-Dinner Drinks
& Conference Dinner

5:30pm onwards
Hansen Hall & Converstaion Quarter, State Library

Program

Morning

Come visit the friendly IWN Registration to collect your name lanyard, then grab a cuppa, network with other delegates and check out our sponsor trade displays.

Our joint MC’s Samantha Sawyer and Ryan Davis will provide a brief welcome and housekeeping before our official ‘Welcome to Country’ commences.

The Welcome to Country will be provided by a representative from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

The IWN Members Conference will be hosted on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples, as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Jo Murdoch, IWN Chair will provide the Official Welcome before introducing the Minister for Water.

The Hon. Gayle Tierney, Minister for Water, Victorian Government

Jason Cotton, IWN Program Director

TBC

Join us for Morning Tea in Hansen Hall.  Also a chance to network with other delegates and check out our sponsor trade displays.

This panel will provide an update to the winners of the 2023 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge, as ____ tell us what’s been happening.

This panel will explore how circular economy initiatives are enhancing sustainability and driving innovation across the sector. 

Afternoon

Join us for Lunch in Hansen Hall. Also a chance to network with other delegates and check out our sponsor trade displays.

Join us for Afternoon Tea in Hansen Hall. Also a chance to network with other delegates and check out our sponsor trade displays.

Hosted by Victor Perton

Join us for Pre-Dinner Drinks in Hansen Hall at 6pm, followed by the Conference Dinner in the Conversation Quarter at 6:30pm.

Enjoy networking drinks and a sit down 2 course meal as you have a chance to catch up with old friends and make new connections to expand your network.

SPEAKERS

Jason Cotton
Program Director, Intelligent Water Networks (IWN)
Jo Murdoch
Chair, IWN
The Hon. Gayle Tierney MP
Minister for Water, Victorian Government
Jo Lim
Jo Lim
CEO, VicWater
Victor Perton
Director, Yarra Valley Water
Mudasser Iqbal
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TeamSolve
Adrian Harper
Manager Wastewater Treatment, Gippsland Water
Dr Janakiraman (Ram) Balachandran
Chief Data Scientist, Spiral Data
Ryan Davis
Senior Asset Engineering Leader, Gippsland Water
Samantha Sawyer
Innovation Performance Specialist, TasWater
TBA
To be announced
TBA
To be announced

Full Speaker List to be confirmed.

VENUE

State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Function space: Conversation Quarter and Hansen Hall

The State Library Victoria, located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD and within close proximity to train and tram networks, blends history and modern design, offering a unique and accessible event space. ​

The Conversation Quarter showcases three centuries of architecture and cutting-edge technology in the one venue and will be a magnificent backdrop to the 2025 IWN Members Conference.

Attendees will enjoy morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea as part of the conference registration.

DINNER

Pre-Dinner Drinks and Dinner: 5:30pm onwards
Function space: Hansen Hall and Conversation Quarter
Venue: State Library Victoria

We are excited to introduce a new format for the IWN Conference Dinner!

This year’s Conference Dinner will be open to ALL conference attendees, to enhance collaboration and networking in the sector. The dinner is an optional registration, which incurs a cost of $65 per person.

To attend the dinner, please select the ticket option when registering for the conference. 

The evening will include, pre dinner networking drinks, a 2-course sit down meal and an exclusive dinner speaker at the stunning State Library in Melbourne.

CONFERENCE FAQ

All staff of IWN Member organisations, including most Victorian water corporations as well as DEECA and TasWater can attend the conference at no cost.

The dinner is an optional paid event, subsidised for IWN Members.

Please contact us if you require further details.

Please note parking and accommodation are not included in your Conference ticket.

No, parking and accommodation are not included in the Conference tickets.

While IWN and The State Libaray will try our best to accommodate special dietary requirements, we can only accommodate requests if notified prior to the event.

Please ensure you complete this item during registration.

Conference Cancellation & Refund Policy

Last year, we had an incredible response, with strong registrations and enthusiasm for the event. However, we also experienced a high drop-off rate, which had real impacts:

Wasted catering and money – Catering was planned based on registration numbers, and unfortunately, a large amount of food and therefore money went to waste. The money wasted could have been used more efficiently to fund our member projects/trials.

Missed opportunities – Our amazing speakers, panelists, and vendors put in time and effort to share their knowledge, but with fewer attendees, valuable insights and networking connections were lost.

To ensure we maximise participation, reduce waste, and respect the time and effort of all involved, we have enacted a Cancellation Policy that will be strictly followed.

Cancellation Policy

If you are no longer able to attend –

  • You may transfer your ticket to someone else from your organisation to attend in your place up-to 1 week out from the event (Monday 21 July). Please do this by clicking the ‘manage order’ button on your confirmation email. Please ensure that the new attendee’s email is updated in the ticket details, otherwise they might miss important information.
  • If you need to cancel your ticket, you must inform us at least 10 business days (by Monday 14 July) prior to the event via enquiries@iwn.org.au. If you fail to notify us within this timeframe and do not attend, a $200 fee will be charged to your organisation.
  • If you need to cancel your dinner ticket you can cancel through the Humanitix platform and receive a full refund.

We understand that unexpected circumstances might arise in the 2-week lead-up to the event. IWN will reasonably consider a request for cancellation within this period (which is outside of the cut-off times specified above) but we ask that you provide notice to us as soon as possible via enquiries@iwn.org.au.

This event will be recorded and available to watch on replay.

Participants participating in Q&A and/or workshops understand and agree that any comments or activities including photography, film, quotes, and/or recordings during this event may be used in IWN and VicWater publications and promotional materials.

TICKET DETAILS

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the IWN Members Conference, which brings Victorian and Tasmanian water professionals together with industry & technology partners, researchers and State Government, to showcase innovation and knowledge sharing to foster collaboration across the sector.

Secure your place now!

Conference Ticket Includes:

– Full day Program
– Morning & Afternoon Tea and Working Lunch
– Access to the full Program Replay

IWN Members:  FREE
Dinner Ticket Includes:

– Pre-Dinner Networking Drinks
– 2 Course Sit-Down Dinner
– Exclusive Dinner Speaker

IWN Members:  $65
Ticket sales close 14 July 2025

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