IWA Conference 2025

FROM UNCERTAINTY TO ACTION
Building an AI Ready Workforce

19 & 20 November

IWA Conference 2025

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Wednesday 19 November

AGM:  8.30 am (Barwon Water)

Conference:  12 pm – 5 pm

Pre-Dinner Drinks:  6 pm – 6.30 pm
Dinner: 6.30 pm – 9 pm

Venue

Novotel Geelong
10/14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong

Thursday 20 November

SIG Meetings:  9 am onwards

Venue

Novotel Geelong
10/14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong

Barwon Water
55-67 Ryrie St, Geelong

Royal Geelong Yacht Club
25 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong

CONFERENCE THEME

From Uncertainty to Action: Building an AI Ready Workforce

As the water industry faces rising uncertainty—from climate extremes to shifting demographics and policy—the future of our workforce depends on its ability to adapt, innovate, and lead.

From Uncertainty to Action: Building an AI Ready Workforce puts a spotlight on the transformational role of artificial intelligence including automation, data analytics Generative AI in reshaping how we manage water, make decisions, and develop skills.

This conference will explore how you can harness these tools to build resilience—not only in infrastructure and systems, but in people. We’ll delve into the practical implications of AI for the sector, highlight the emerging skillsets needed across all levels, and discuss how to future-proof careers in an era of rapid change.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Collect your name tag and join us for a stand up lunch prior to the conference formalities commencing.

Robert Murphy, IWA President 2025/26

Wadawurrung Aboriginal Corporation

Francois Gouws, Managing Director, TRILITY

Presented by Professor Ujwal Kayande, Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne

A strategic foresight session into the impact of AI of the technical, digital, and soft skills shaping future roles.

Presented by Tiffany Gray, Strategic Leadership & Execution Advisor, BRAWT

A visionary look at how AI is transforming the workforce and what it means for the future of the water industry.

Presented by Wayne Pales, General Manager, Digital Business, Barwon Water

Join us for afternoon tea in the Peninsula Room Foyer.

This panel will explore how to balance tech-driven transformation with people-centered workforce development, including risks with AI, but with a strong focus on how AI helps the individual.

FacilitatorJason Cotton, Program Director, Intelligent Water Networks

Speakers

  • Anna Lamont, Executive Manager Strategy, Coliban Water
  • Seamus Scanlon, National Senior Partner, Davidson
  • Fiona Blackmore, Executive Manager, People, Culture & Safety, Westernport Water

A discussion on how to keep equity and accessibility at the centre of workforce transformation.

Presented by Shae Abel, Manager Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, People & Transformation , Melbourne Water

Robert Murphy will wrap up the conference formalities.

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Rob Murphy

ROB MURPHY

IWA President 2025/26
Managing Director
South Gippsland Water

UJWAL KAYANDE

Professor of Marketing, Founding Director Centre for Business Analytics
Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne

TIFFANY GRAY

Strategic Leadership & Execution Advisor
BRAWT

WAYNE PALES

General Manager, Digital Business
Barwon Water

ANNA LAMONT

Executive Manager Strategy
Coliban Water

SEAMUS SCANLON

National Senior Partner
Davidson

FI BLACKMORE

Executive Manager, People, Culture & Safety
Westernport Water

JASON COTTON

Program Director
Intelligent Water Networks

SHAE ABEL

Manager Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, People & Transformation
Melbourne Water

CONFERENCE DINNER

Please join us for the conference dinner! Always a highlight on the conference program. A fantastic opportunity to catch up and network with the water sector.

This year we will be acknowledging some of the innovative and inspiring pioneers of the water sector, we’ll also hear from WIOA Young Operator of the Year, Dalkeith McCallum-Hanley and there willl be an exclusive fireside chat with industry greats!

Time: 6:00pm pre-dinner drinks for 6:30pm start
Dress: Corporate attire
Cost: $147 + GST per person
Inclusions: Three course meal with beverages

FIRESIDE CHAT

Make sure you join us at the dinner for an exclusive fireside chat with water industry legends Pat McCafferty, Andrew Jeffers and Andrew Chapman.

PAT McCAFFERTY

ANDREW JEFFERS

ANDREW CHAPMAN

TICKETS & REGISTRATION

To register for any component of the 2025 IWA Conference, including the Conference, Dinner, AGM or SIG Meetings, please register via the button below.

Registrations Close on Wednesday 12 November.

Please note invoices for paid components will be sent after the conference.

If you need to cancel your place, please refer to our Cancellation Policy for further details and advise so we can adjust for catering and capacity purposes accordingly.

PAID TICKETS

Conference

Cost: $282 + GST
Time: 12pm arrival – 5pm finish
Inclusions: Conference, lunch, afternoon tea & networking

Dinner

Cost: $147 + GST
Time: 6pm pre-dinner drinks for 6:30pm sit down
Inclusions: Pre-dinner drinks, three course meal with drinks, awards and exclusive fireside chat with water industry legends.

Conference & Dinner Package

Cost: $399 + GST
Going to both, then choose the package ticket that combines the conference and dinner for a discounted price.

FREE REGISTRATION

SIG Meetings

SIG Meetings are open to Victorian water corporations.

Timings for SIG meetings are below:
Arrival tea/coffee: 9 am
Meetings commence: 9:30 am
Lunch: 12:30pm – 1:30pm

AGM

All IWA Members are welcome to join the Annual General Meeting, however please register your attendance if you do plan to attend.

When: 8.30am, Wednesday 19 November
Venue: Boardroom, Barwon Water

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETINGS 

The 12 Special Interest Group (SIG) Meetings will take place across 3 venues in Geelong this year. SIG Meetings are open to Victorian water corporation employees and are FREE to attend, however registration is required.

All SIG Meetings will commence at 9.30am, but arrive from 9am to grab a coffee, have a chat and settle in before the meetings start.

Agendas will become available as we get closer to the conference. If you have a specific question regarding any SIG meeting, you can contact the corresponding SIG Convenor. Contact email addresses are linked below.

SIG

Communications

Corporate Governance

Customer Service

Human Resources

Finance

Technical Services

Meeting Room

Bellarine Room

Limeburners Room

Ceres Room

Restaurant

Peninsula Room

Flinders Room

SIG

Information Technology

Executive Assistants

Development Services

Educators

Meeting Room

Room G09

Room 508

Room 509

The Hub

SIG

Energy and Greenhouse

Environment

Meeting Room

West Lounge 1

West Lounge 2

CONFERENCE VENUE 

Novotel Geelong – 10/14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC

Our brilliant conference venue is Novotel Geelong, perfectly situated along the Geelong waterfront in the heart of Geelong CBD, offering stunning sea views and an enviable location. Novotel Geelong was awarded Best Regional Accommodation of the Year in 2024 by the Victorian Accomodation Awards.

Car parking is available with valet service for in house guests, charged at $45 per car, per day. The option to self-park offsite is available for $30. View self-parking instructions – CLICK HERE.

ACCOMMODATION

Novotel Geelong – 10/14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC

If you’re staying in Geelong, Novotel Geelong have spacious and stylish accommodation for your coastal break with the convenience of being in the same venue as the Conference.

Delegate Discount
We have organised special accommodation rates with the Novotel Geelong for conference delegates. Please click the button below to be directed to our special accommodation link.

Book by 15th October 2025 to receieve the earlybird discount. Please note rooms are subject to availability.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsors

Conference Sponsor

https://www.davidsonwp.com/

           Dinner Sponsor