WELCOME TO STORMWATER 2010

I am delighted to welcome you to this our first national conference. It is an historic event for the Stormwater Industry Association and reflects our maturity as an organisation within the broader water industry. Given that we represent one aspect of the water industry, we need to consider what part we will play in the future challenges that will inevitably arise. For this reason, we are using the title ‘ Creating a Storm: the Future of Stormwater Management in Australia ' for the theme of our national conference.

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 have just finished reading 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 find three things that you can take away from this conference and implement or take some action on back in your workplace.

Please enjoy the conference, the learning, the networking and simply the chance to dedicate time out of our busy lives to refocus on those things that are important to each of us.

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 will be provide 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 is 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 includes 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 will also feature a co-located trade exhibition providing an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest in product innovation.

The Conference program will cater 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.

To remain abreast of developments and remain at the cutting edge, every stormwater professional should be able to demonstrate that they have attended the premier stormwater event in Australia ... STORMWATER 2010.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

Sponsorship and Exhibition Prospectus Released – Monday, 1st February, 2010
Conference Call for Abstracts Released - Monday, 15th February, 2010
Call for Papers Closes – Wednesday, 31st March, 2010
Acceptance of Abstracts Notified – Monday, 24th May, 2010
Early Bird Registration Ends – Tuesday, 31st August, 2010
Refereed Papers Due – Monday, 2nd August, 2010
Non Refereed Papers Due – Monday, 13th September, 2010
Final refereed papers and Abstracts Due – Monday, 20th September, 2010
Online Registration Closes – Thursday, 4th November, 2010

 

CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT

The Conference Secretariat for STORMWATER 2010 is GEMS Event Management.