CONFERENCE THEME

Celebrating Excellence: Leading the Way Forward

Our theme for this year’s Annual Conference is Celebrating Excellence: Leading the way forward and will highlight accomplishments, leadership and impact across the water industry, as we go back to basics with a renewed focus on our core business of managing and providing essential water and wastewater services to the Victorian community.

Designed for senior leaders, the program will spotlight what we do best; from delivering major capital projects and high-performing customer service to advancing water security and other leading practices shaping a resilient future.

TICKET DETAILS

Tailored exclusively to senior management and board directors, the VicWater Annual Conference aims to challenge and provoke the issues that matter and shape the Victorian water industry.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of our premier event.

Secure your place now!

Conference Overview

Tuesday 8 September

5pm to 6pm WaterAid Special Event, Level 2, RACV City Club
5pm to 7:30pm Welcome Drinks & Canapes, Level 2, RACV City Club

Wednesday 9 September

Conference Day 1 Program
8:20am Registration, Level 17, RACV City Club, Melbourne
8:50am to 4:30pm: Conference, Level 17, RACV City Club, Melbourne

Annual Conference Dinner
6.30pm: Pre-Dinner Drinks, Level 17, RACV City Club, Melbourne
7pm: Sit down Dinner, Level 17, RACV City Club, Melbourne

Thursday 10 September

Conference Day 2 Program
8:30am to 1pm: Conference, Level 17, RACV City Club, Melbourne
1pm to 2pm: Closing Lunch, Level 17, RACV City Club, Melbourne

Conference ticket includes:

– Welcome Event and Welcome Drinks
– Full Conference Program access
– Annual Conference Dinner
– Access to the full Program Replay

VicWater Members:  $1,900 +GST
Non-Members: $2,200 +GST

Ticket sales close 28 August 2026

PROGRAM

Day 1 Program

Wednesday 9 September

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

Jo Lim, VicWater CEO will provide a brief welcome and housekeeping before our official ‘Welcome to Country’ commences.

The VicWater 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.

Therese Tierney, VicWater Chair will provide the Official Welcome and give context to the conference program’s theme – Celebrating Excellence: Leading the Way Forward.

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Stephen Scheeler is the former CEO of Facebook Australia and New Zealand, where he played a key role in transforming the company from a fast-growing Silicon Valley start-up into a global media and technology powerhouse.

Today, Stephen is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading voices on digital disruption, transformation, AI, culture, and leadership. Drawing on his experience at the forefront of big tech, he brings sharp insight, engaging storytelling, and a down-to-earth style that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.

Join us for Morning Tea in the Ballroom Foyer

Session Description

As data centre development accelerates across Victoria, balancing growth with sustainable water use is critical. This session explores how to plan for high-demand infrastructure while safeguarding long-term water security, addressing policy and planning challenges, and highlighting the role of collaboration in building resilient, future-ready systems.

Session Description

This presentation highlights the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project as a practical example of environmental stewardship. It explores how environmental water management, habitat restoration, and strong partnerships—while meeting regulatory requirements—are helping restore ecosystem health, improve biodiversity, and reconnect the Murray River with its floodplain, delivering long-term environmental and community benefits.

Presented by: Paul Northey, Lower Murray Water

Join us for Lunch in the breakout room on level 17.

Phin Zeibell, Head of Research, TCV

Session Description

This session combines two presentations, showcasing excellence in climate action in the water sector.

Presentation 1

Zero Emissions Water: Driving the Sector’s Transition to Net Zero

This presentation examines the role of ZEW (Zero Emissions Water) and ZEWCO (Zero Emissions Water Carbon Offsets) in supporting the water sector’s transition to net zero. It will outline how collaborative carbon reduction, offset generation, and sector-wide approaches can drive down emissions while creating shared environmental and economic value, highlighting how ambition, collective leadership, and a commitment to excellence can inspire meaningful progress toward a more sustainable and low-carbon future.

Presentation 2

West Wodonga Project: Putting Circular Economy into Practice

This presentation explores how circular economy principles are reshaping the water sector—turning waste streams into valuable resources while reducing environmental impact. It highlights practical initiatives and innovative approaches that set new benchmarks, showing how embedding circular thinking into everyday operations can drive progress and position organisations at the forefront of a more sustainable future.

Session Description

Water security is a growing challenge for Victoria as pressure on traditional supplies increases. This session will highlight leading-edge approaches and the sector’s role in driving innovation, exploring how solutions such as manufactured water, potable reuse, and desalination can strengthen resilience. It will also address key considerations around cost, reliability, and community confidence, showcasing how a commitment to excellence, bold thinking, and collaboration can help shape a more secure and sustainable water future.

Join us for Afternoon Tea in the breakout space on level 17.

Hayley Monks, Managing Director, Echo Managed Services interviewed by Jo Lim, CEO, VicWater

This session will be hosted by Jason Cotton, Program Director, IWN

Conference sessions conclude for Day 1

Join us for the Annual Conference Dinner in the Park Hyatt Ballroom.

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.

Day 2 Program

Thursday 10 September

Jo Lim, VicWater CEO returns to MC Day Two of the Conference.

Carla McGrath is a proud Indigenous Australian woman of Torres Strait Islander descent with deep expertise in Indigenous public policy and leadership.

Session Description

Building a strong workforce is essential for the future of the water industry. This session explores how organisations can support and empower their people, while adapting to a rapidly changing landscape.

Join us for morning tea in the Level 17 breakout space.

This presentation highlights the Victorian water corporations’ shared customer survey program as an example of industry excellence, showing how collective insights are driving customer-focused improvements and a stronger, consistent understanding of customer needs across the sector.

This presentation highlights how meaningful engagement with Traditional Owners is strengthening outcomes across the water sector, reflecting a deep respect for knowledge, culture, and partnership.

Melbourne Water will share their collaborative approach to engaging Traditional Owners in developing their price submission, exploring key outcomes achieved, lessons learned and demonstrating how genuine partnerships are setting higher standards and shaping a more inclusive and future-focused direction for the industry.

Presented by: Nerina di Lorenzo, Managing Director, Melbourne Water

Session Description

This panel brings together the Victorian water sector’s key regulators; the Essential Services Commission, the Environment Protection Authority and the Department of Health; to discuss their respective regulatory postures and future visions. The session will explore how a forward-thinking, robust regulatory framework can support excellence across the sector while guiding Victoria toward a more sustainable and resilient water future.

Facilitator Jo Lim, VicWater

Panellists

  • Rebecca Billings, Essential Services Commission
  • Joss Crawford, Environment Protection Authority
  • Dr Evelyn Wong, Department of Health

Therese Tierney, VicWater Chair, and Jo Lim, VicWater CEO host the interactive wrap up session to assist in consolidating the key take-aways from the conference program.

Join us for a stand up lunch before departing the 2026 Annual Conference.

Vision Super is a program partner of our the VicWater Annual Conference. You are reminded that Vision Super’s sponsorship is not a relevant matte1· to take into account when making a decision regarding the choice of superannuation fund for you or for others (including employers and employees). The organisers have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that no part of the financial support provided by Vision Super under this arrangement has been used to subsidise the cost of the supply of goods or services to attendees where the subsidy would constitute a material benefit for an attendee.

SPEAKERS

DAY 1 KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Stephen Scheeler
DAY 2 KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Carla McGrath
Harriet-Shing
The Hon Harriet Shing MP
Minister for Water
Victorian Government
Therese Tierney
Chair, VicWater
Jo Lim
Jo Lim
CEO, VicWater
Jason Cotton
Program Director
Intelligent Water Networks (IWN)
Phin Ziebell
Head of Research, TCV
Rebecca Billings
Commissioner, ESC
Joss Crawford
CEO
EPA
Dr Evelyn Wong
Deputy Chief Health Officer
Dept. Health, Victorian Government
Nerina di Lorenzo
Managing Director
Melbourne Water
Hayley Monks
Managing Director
Echo Managed Services
Paul Northey
Managing Director
Lower Murray Water
David Hughes-Owen
CEO
Busselton Water
Damian Wells
Managing Director
Coliban Water
Tom Muller
Chief Executive
WaterAid Australia
Full speaker list to be confirmed

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 a fully catered breaks between the program, plus a ticket to attend the Annual Conference Dinner on Wednesday evening.

For those arriving on Tuesday evening, we invite you to join us for the welcome event from 5pm, followed by welcome drinks and canapes on Level 2 from 6pm.

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 conference.

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

CONFERENCE FAQ

VicWater Members include all staff and board directors from the 18 Victorian water authorities and Associate 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.

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

While VicWater and 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 unable to attend the Conference, you have the following options:

  1. You may transfer your in-person ticket to another board or staff member from your organisation to attend in your place. Please contact us to arrange a ticket transfer if required.
  2. You may cancel your ticket and receive a 100% refund. This may be done no later than Friday 28 August 2026 (12 days prior). After this date we can only issue a refund in accordance with the Extenuating Circumstances conditions outlined below.

Extenuating circumstances

Where extenuating circumstances apply, VicWater will reasonably consider a request for a cancellation outside the cut-off times specified above. The request must be in writing and must outline the relevant extenuating circumstances.

‘Extenuating circumstances’ include if you or a close family member have a serious illness or injury, or if you have other compelling personal reasons.

Where VicWater consents to a cancellation in extenuating circumstances, a partial refund of $1,100* will apply:

*Based on third-party venue, catering and technical costs that VicWater has already incurred and is unable to recover at the time of the request.

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 VicWater publications and promotional materials.

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR

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OUR PARTNERS

Corporate Partner:
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Media Partner:
Charity Partner:

CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS

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Be a Sponsor at a VicWater event.

Sponsorship is a brilliant way of getting your organisation’s message in front of senior and influential members of the water industry.
VicWater provides opportunities for recognition at a range of events such as Workshops, Webinars, Forums and Conferences.
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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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