MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Thank you to all those people to sponsored, attended, exhibited and presented at STORMWATER 2010.

STORMWATER 2010 was historic event for the Stormwater Industry Association and reflected our maturity as an organisation within the broader water industry. Given that we represent one aspect of the water industry, we needed to consider what part we will play in the future challenges that will inevitably arise. Our theme for 2010 ‘ Creating a Storm: the Future of Stormwater Management in Australia ' attracted high quality of presentations and gave all attendees the opportunity consider the challenges ahead and provide tools to help tackle those challenges head on.

By 2050 our urban landscape will be very different from what it is today. We will have to adapt in all kinds of ways to make these environments liveable and healthy. The impacts are already with us. For example, the findings of a NSW Health Commission report found that the urban environment in Sydney was an increasingly negative factor in the health of the population. Social isolation, public health epidemics, obesity, depression, heart disease and diabetes are all linked to bland and poorly structured built and natural urban environments.

I recently read Tim Flannery's essay ‘ Now or Never' where he states “I think that there is now a better than even chance that, despite our best efforts, in the coming two or three decades Earth's climate system will pass the point of no return”. He is quick to add that this is not meant to be a “council of despair”, simply a statement of his “assessment of probability”. It is a call to action Now .

Apathy is our worst enemy – are we up to the challenge? My challenge to you is for you to take the learnings from the conference and implement or take some action back in your workplace.

Thank you for joining us for STORMWATER 2010 and we look forward to seeing you at STORMWATER 2012 which will be held in Melbourne, Victoria.

Warmest regards,

Steve Frost
President, SIA National

 

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The profile of stormwater has steadily been increasing in recent years and industry and government are now more than ever looking for opportunities to effectively manage stormwater as a resource and to deliver improved environments.  

Coupled with the rise in the profile of stormwater, the Industry has been evolving and growing, learning and sharing ideas and is proud to be staging the first ever National Stormwater Conference.

The Conference provided an excellent opportunity for practitioners from across the industry to gather, network and learn about the myriad of cutting edge projects and research that is being generated by this dynamic and rapidly growing industry sector.  

With significant opportunities opening up for stormwater harvesting through recent government funding and promises of more from all sides of politics, stormwater is very much on the agenda as an important part of the future urban water mix.  When you consider that many of the leading edge employment opportunities of today were non existent 20 years ago the rate of change of knowledge in stormwater management will make this exciting field 'one to watch'.  To better understand the opportunities that are presented by the over $300 million worth of stormwater funding promised and committed nationally, the modern stormwater practitioner should be abreast of the latest developments across the industry.

Everything was on the agenda - stormwater for potable use, stormwater for micro climate management, stormwater for communities - all underpinned by world leading research and advanced policy.  The National Conference of the Stormwater Industry Association will bring delegates together to hear more than 80 industry experts talk about the latest developments in stormwater and "… the Future of Stormwater in Australia ".

The Conference program included a series of practical, skills based pre conference workshops, three days of multi-stream conference sessions and a final technical tour day visiting some key stormwater projects in Sydney. The Conference also featured a co-located trade exhibition providing an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest in product innovation.

The Conference program catered for the broadest range of professional backgrounds and competencies that are required to deliver stormwater outcomes on the ground for a industry professionals including engineers, asset managers, landscape architects, sustainability managers, policy development practitioners, politicians and advisors at all levels of government.