The 2025 NSW Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition, held from Wednesday, 23 to Thursday, 24 July at the Newcastle Racecourse, was a resounding success. Set against the backdrop of Newcastle’s stunning beaches, vibrant arts scene, and industrial history, the event fostered meaningful connections and an exchange of ideas among water industry professionals.
The event kicked off on Tuesday, 22 July, with the Chairman’s Reception, where our Chair, Mat Greskie, and Board Director, Robert Scott, welcomed VIP guests for an evening of drinks and canapés. The reception also honoured Sally Shepherd for her significant contributions to WIOA and her role as an outgoing Board Director.
Wednesday morning featured the Women of Water Breakfast, where attendees had the chance to connect with the newly established Women in Water Operations (WiWO) Group. This space was created to support women in the water industry as they share experiences and grow professionally.
Presentations
The conference showcased 22 paper presentations over the two days, delivered by passionate operators across NSW. Special thanks to Sydney Water, our host sponsor, for providing one of the keynote presentations, Modernising Operations Training: Interactive Unit Process Guidelines for a Diverse Workforce, by Sally Rewell and Daniel Leach. The second keynote by Water Directorate’s Brendan Guiney discussed Achievements for Water Operators in Regional NSW.
Other notable presentations included:
- Flood Impact and Response by MidCoast Council
- Achievements in Regional NSW by Water Directorate
- PFAS in Water Supply Journey by Riverina Water County Council
- Water Quality and Operational Learnings from the Cyanobacteria Incident by Hunter Water Corporation
- Operational Readiness for Climate-Driven Water Changes by Sydney Water
A special thanks to Hunter Water as a host sponsor for their generous support.
On Wednesday evening, the annual Meet the Exhibitor Dinner was held with views over the Newcastle Racecourse. This relaxed event also saw the announcement of Alan Butler as the newest member inducted into the “IDIOT” (Inducted as Delegates of the Inextricably Obstructed Tap Society) as the NSW Advisory Committee Chair.
The Reece Civil + Viadux Main Tapping Competition drew plenty of attention, with the finals held on Thursday. MidCoast Council’s team, with Dean and Mark, won first place with a time of 3 minutes and 18 seconds. They donated their $1,000 prize to GIVIT.org.au, a charity supporting Australians in need.
The IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water Competition also made waves, with Richmond Valley Council’s sample from Casino WTP claiming first place. They will represent NSW/ACT in the National Final in December for the title of Australia’s Best Tasting Tap Water.
2025 NSW Awards Dinner
Thursday evening concluded with the Awards Night Celebration, where nine awards were presented. The highest recognition, the Life Member award, was given to Lindsay Walsh, a respected figure in the industry.
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Alex Cech from Isle Utilities, shared insights on Managing Rapid Change, emphasising human-centred design, psychological safety, and intent-based leadership—tools to navigate the fast-evolving water sector.
Our 2025 NSW Conference Award Winners
Congratulations to all the award winners! Your achievements reflect the hard work, dedication, and professionalism that are crucial to providing essential water services across Australia.
The 2025 NSW Best Exhibition Site – Ron Bergmeier Award, sponsored by Utility Magazine, went to Control Components for their innovative booth and interactive displays.
The 2025 NSW Best Poster Award, sponsored by SAFEGroup, was presented to Chris Yeats from PYROCAL for his work on Biosolids – Time for a Change of Mindset.
The 2025 NSW Best Paper by an Operator – first place was awarded to Scott Collis from Veolia for his paper Navigating Capital Upgrades from an Operational Perspective.
The 2025 NSW Best Paper by an Operator Runner-up went to Lachlan Baggett from Riverina Water City Council for his paper titled The RWCC Operations App: Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Safety.
The Overall Paper Award went to Shane Dyson and Steve Buck from Icon Water for their presentation on The Biggest Bang: Fixing Water Hammer in a DAF.
The 2025 NSW Young Operator of the Year Award was presented to Andrea Coleman from Illawarra Water Filtration Plant (Veolia). Andrea, a dedicated Water Treatment Operator, has contributed significantly to business continuity, operational efficiency, and digitisation at the plant.
The 2025 NSW Operator of the Year was awarded to Craig Stone from MidCoast Council. Craig’s expertise across all areas of water operations, his troubleshooting skills, and his ability to share knowledge with colleagues were instrumental during the floods in Manning in 2025. His commitment to the community was especially evident when he volunteered to stay isolated at the Bootawa Water Treatment Plant for three days during peak flood conditions, ensuring uninterrupted water supply and high-quality service despite the challenges.
The Reece Civil + Viadux Main Tapping Competition winners MidCoast Council with a time of 3 minutes and 18 seconds. They donated their $1,000 prize to GIVIT.org.au, a charity supporting Australians in need.
Papers
Gallery
Connect with us
We value your feedback
Help us make our next event even better. Take a moment to fill out our survey and share your thoughts here. Thank you again for your enthusiasm and support.