Vic Catchment
Victoria-State-Gov-DEECA

EMPOWERING LEADERS, SHAPING FUTURES

Specifically designed for non-executives directors and councillors in the Victorian water sector, the Forum consists of one full day with an optional networking dinner.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Wednesday 18 March

  • Director Development Forum:  9 am – 5 pm
    Pre-dinner drinks:  6pm
    Dinner:  6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

  • Venue: RACV City Club, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne

  • Forum:  FREE
    Optional Dinner:  $90 + GST

VicWater, in partnership with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Vic Catchments will host the 2026 Director Development Forum, consisting of one full day program with an optional networking dinner.

The Forum is designed to match the needs of both our newly appointed board members as well as our more experienced leadership cohort. This event will provide the opportunity to network, participate in peer-to-peer learning and gain insights into current and emerging issues and deep dive into areas relevant to public entity directors.

Thursday 19 March

  • Economic and Financial Regulation Seminar:  8.30 am – 12.30 pm

  • Venue: VicWater Office, Level 4, 99 William St, Melbourne

  • Seminar:  FREE

The Economic and Financial Regulation Seminar is a side event to the Director Development Forum, designed for both newly appointed and existing board members of water corporations, and will provide a 101 session on economic and financial regulation in the water sector. We will hear from ESC and DTF, who will offer valuable insights to support sound governance, strategic planning, and informed decision-making in an evolving regulatory environment.

TICKET DETAILS

Forum Ticket Includes:
  • Full day program, arrival tea/coffee, morning & afternoon tea and lunch
  • Time: 8:30am registration, 9am start, 5pm finish
  • When: 18 March 2026
  • Where: RACV City Club
  • Cost: FREE
Dinner Ticket Includes:
  • Pre dinner drinks, 3 course meal with beverages and dinner speaker
  • Time: 6:00pm pre-dinner drinks for 6:30pm start
  • When: 18 March 2026
  • Where: RACV City Club
  • Cost: $90 + GST per person
Seminar Ticket Includes:

101 session on economic and financial regulation in the water sector
Time: 8:30am – 12.30pm
When: 19 March 2026
Where: VicWater Office, Level 4, 99 William Street, Melbourne
Cost: FREE

Ticket sales close Tuesday 10 March 2026

PROGRAM

Plenary Sessions

Come visit the registration desk to collect your name tag and lanyard, then grab a cuppa and settle in.

The Welcome to Country will be provided by Uncle Dave Wandin, Wurundjeri Elder

The Director Development Forum 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.

Join us for Morning Tea

John Harte, Integrity Governance

Good to Great Public Sector Governance
This dynamic session is designed for Victorian water sector directors, new and old who want to elevate governance from good to great. Explore the essentials—director responsibilities, ethics, integrity, and managing conflicts—plus practical insights on board performance, diversity, and inclusion. Learn VPS and water sector standards, navigate policies, and engage in interactive discussions with governance expert John Harte. Get ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Deb Brown, Executive Director, Partnerships and Sector Performance, DEECA

This session will provide an overview of the water sector and cover some of those questions that you wish you knew when you started or some helpful tips for those starting in the water industry.

Join us for Lunch

Concurrent Stream Sessions

Panel Session: Corporate Governance — The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

When governance works well, it builds trust, accountability, and resilience. When it fails, the consequences can be severe — for organisations, boards, and the communities they serve. This session delves into the realities of corporate governance through the lens of integrity, ethical leadership, and boardroom behaviour. Our panel will explore how conflicts of interest arise and escalate, what happens when integrity is compromised, and how directors can foster a culture that prevents small lapses from becoming systemic failures. Join us for an honest conversation about the warning signs, the lessons learned, and what “good governance” really looks like in practice.

Panel Session: Governance, Culture, and the Modern Boardroom

Strong governance extends beyond compliance — it shapes the culture, safety, and creativity of an organisation. This session explores the pivotal role of the board in setting the tone for a safe, inclusive, and innovative workplace. Our panel will examine how directors can influence both physical and psychological safety, foster diversity and inclusion, and create the conditions where innovation and creativity thrive. Through real-world insights and practical discussion, we’ll highlight how values-led governance and cultural stewardship can drive positive outcomes for people, performance, and purpose.

This two-part Climate Update series provides directors with an overview of key developments shaping organisational climate readiness. The Climate Adaptation session explores emerging risks, resilience planning, and priority actions to prepare assets, services, and communities for a changing climate. The Disclosure Reporting session outlines current and upcoming reporting requirements, including expectations for transparency, climate-related risk management, and alignment with best-practice frameworks. Together, these presentations support informed governance and strategic decision-making in a shifting climate landscape.

This three-part Climate Update series provides directors with focused insights into key initiatives shaping the water sector’s climate response. The sessions cover: Nature Positive Solutions, highlighting approaches to enhance biodiversity and deliver environmental co-benefits; the Special Purpose Vehicle, outlining its role in enabling collaborative investment in climate and sustainability projects; and the Emissions Transition Plan, detailing pathways for reducing operational emissions and meeting long-term net-zero commitments. Together, these presentations offer a strategic overview of emerging opportunities, regulatory expectations, and organisational actions required to support a resilient, low-carbon future.

Plenary Sessions

Join us for Afternoon Tea

Forum sessions conclude

This is an optional event with a paid registration required.

Enjoy pre dinner drinks and a sit down 3 course meal as you have a chance to catch up with old friends and make new connections to expand your network.

This is an optional event with a paid registration required.

Enjoy pre dinner drinks and a sit down 3 course meal as you have a chance to catch up with old friends and make new connections to expand your network.

SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker
Professor Marcia Langton AO
Associate Provost
University of Melbourne
John-Harte
John Harte
Managing Partner
Integrity Governance
Deb Brown
Executive Director – Water Sector Strategy and Partnerships
DEECA

Full list of speakers TBC

DINNER

Please join us for the Forum Dinner! A fantastic opportunity to make new connections in the water sector, always a highlight on the program.

Time: 6:00pm pre-dinner drinks for 6:30pm start
Date: Wednesday 18 March
Venue: RACV City Club Melbourne
Dress: Corporate attire
Cost: $90 + GST per person
Inclusions: Three course meal with beverages and an exclusive dinner speaker

Registration: To register, make sure you include a DINNER TICKET in your ticket selection when registering for the Director Development Forum

VENUE

The RACV City Club – 501 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Our brilliant venue is RACV City Club, in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, centrally located close of public transport, Melbourne’s premier shopping, business and entertainment districts.

Attendees will enjoy morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, plus there is an optional ticket to attend the Forum Dinner on Wednesday evening.

ACCOMMODATION

If you’re staying in Melbourne, RACV City Club have spacious and stylish accommodation for your city break with the convenience of being in the same venue as the Forum.

Delegate Discount
We have organised special accommodation rates with the RACV City Club for Forum delegates. Please click the button below to be directed to our special accommodation link. Please note rooms are subject to availability.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL REGULATION SEMINAR

The Economic and Financial Regulation Seminar is an optional side event to the Director Development Forum, designed for both newly appointed and existing board members and will provide a 101 session on economic and financial regulation in the water sector. We will hear from ESC and DTF, who will offer valuable insights to support sound governance, strategic planning, and informed decision-making in an evolving regulatory environment.

When: Thursday 19 March 2026
Time: 8:30am arrival for 9:00am start – 12.30pm finish
Where: VicWater Office, Level 4, 99 William Street, Melbourne
Cost: FREE

Registration: To register, make sure you include Seminar in your ticket selection when registering for the Director Development Forum

FORUM FAQ

Registrations close at close of business – Friday 6  March 2026

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

For delegates staying at the RACV City Club, parking is additional to your accommodation.

While VicWater and the RACV City Club 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.

Cancellation Policy

If you are no longer able to attend the Forum, please inform us no later than Tuesday 10 March 2026.

If you are no longer able to attend the Dinner, please inform us no later than Tuesday 10 March 2026. Failure to do so will result in you being charged for the cost of the dinner at $90 + GST.

We understand that unexpected circumstances might arise. We 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 vicwater@vicwater.org.au.

Participants attending understand and agree that any photographs taken by event officials may be used in VicWater, DEECA and Vic Catchments publications and promotional materials.

The dress code for the forum and dinner is business/corporate attire.

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VicWater proudly acknowledge the Traditional Owners and true Custodians of the land and waters where we live and work. We pay our upmost respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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