8.00 Conference registration and morning coffee

“Competition for water means it is vital that we can effectively measure what we have, how it is used, and understand where and how water is lost.” Ken Matthews, CEO National Water Commission, SMH 22 Aug, 2006

8.50 Opening remarks from the chair

Prof. Quentin Grafton, Crawford School of Economics and Government, The Australian National University

Government Perspectives: Piecing Together Australia’s Water Puzzle

“2007 will be marked as a year when water became a truly national issue. History will record that 2007 was the year that the politics that have dogged water management for over a century, were dwarfed by the imperative to act in the national interest,” The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Environment and Water Resources, AFR Infrastructure Summit, August 22, 2007

9.00 FEDERAL UPDATE: Addressing the outlook for securing Australia’s water supply, with emphasis on the Federal Water Plan and it’s implications, and updating other issues in water from a national perspective
Minister for Environment, Water, & Climate Change, Australian Government, (Subject to availability post 2007 Federal election)

9.30 Analysing progress in the National Water Initiative (NWI)

• Updating National progress of the NWI

• Discussing implications

• Challenges and opportunities for the future

Ken Matthews, CEO and Chairman, National Water Commission

10.00 Updating NSW’s water future

• Securing NSW’s water supplies - tailoring water policy across NSW

• Ensuring local water utilities are well positioned to meet the growing challenges facing the industry

The Hon. Nathan Rees, Minister for Water Utilities, NSW Government

10.30 Morning Coffee

10.50 Discussing the Queensland Water Commission perspective on issues in water management and reform

John Bradley, CEO, Queensland Water Commission

11.20 Restructuring the Victorian Water Plan

Peter Harris, Secretary, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victorian Government


Metro Urban Water Company Updates

“In the case of urban water, Governments must move away from the myth of water scarcity and focus on the measures required to rebalance demand and supply. The impediments to new water supply need to be addressed, supply competition needs to be introduced, and prices need to reflect the cost of these new supply sources.” From Water Under Pressure, Business Council of Australia Report, September 2006

11.50 Updating key projects for Melbourne Water in line with Victoria’s Our Water Our future initiative

• Rationale for strategy on major projects

• Progress on delivery of projects

• Major challenges

Rob Skinner, Managing Director, Melbourne Water

12.20 A changing perspective – the water industry in SEQ

• Coping with rapid population growth and climate variability – our water supply is at risk

• Water restrictions and the changing behaviour of community and business

• The new operating model for water entities in South East Queensland

• Water solutions for the future

Peter Borrows, CEO, SEQWater

“It’s important, in light of the immediate crisis and long-term challenges of drought, that political parties are accountable for having a workable vision and commitment to real forward-looking solutions, not just rhetoric,” David Crombie, National Farmers Federation President, The Age 22 October, 2007

12.50 Lunch for speakers and delegates

“We need in this country a lot more recycling of water. We need to have more aggressive strategies to capture stormwater. And we need to understand there is no simple, fits-all, silver bullet solution to the problem of water supply.” Prime Minister, The Hon. John Howard, AAP, August 23, 2006

2.10 CASE STUDY: Yarra Valley Water

Tony Kelly, Managing Director, Yarra Valley Water

2.40 Water governance – arrangements, reforms and future directions

• Institutional roles and responsibilities – planning and governance

• Introducing competition in the water sector – what can we learn from other industries

• The role of trading and when it is appropriate

• Institutional options

Euan Morton, Principal, Synergies Economic Consulting

Rural Water Focus

"Across Australia, the process of reform in rural water also needs to be hastened. The outstanding building blocks for national water trading should be put in place and barriers to water trade removed,” Katie Lahey, Chief Executive Business Council of Australia, The Advertiser, 2 January 2007

3.10 An update on Central Highlands Water’s role in the Central Region Sustainable Water Strategy

• Outlining issues for Central Highlands water going forward, as part of the company’s water plan 2008-13

• Updating the Ballarat link of the Goldfields Superpipe Project

• Reflecting on pricing issues for Central Highlands Water customers

Neil Brennan, Managing Director, Central Highlands Water

3.40 Afternoon Tea

4.00 The development of key projects for Goulburn Murray Water

• Analysing opportunities to save water in a major irrigation supply system

• What is the FoodBowl Modernisation Project ?

• Re-juvenating and redesigning a 100 year old delivery system

• Processes to bring the irrigation community along with major change

Russell Cooper, Managing Director, Goulburn Murray Water

4.30 Securing water for growth in Regional Queensland

• Providing an overview of major projects currently under investigation by SunWater including;
  > Nathan Dam
  > Connors River Dam & Pipelines
  > Nullinga Dam
  > Kinchant Dam Raising
  > Water for Bowen & Proserpine Pipeline Projects
  > Rookwood Weir & Eden Bann Weir Raising

• Discussion areas will include the need for the projects, the major challenges, and the timetable for delivery

Peter Boettcher, Chief Operating Officer, SunWater

5.00 Issues in bulk water supply and pricing from the perspective of the State Water Corporation

George Warne, CEO, State Water Corporation NSW

5.30 Closing remarks from the chair

5.40 End of Conference Day One and networking drinks

“Markets are already making a significant contribution to allocating water to higher value uses. But further reform to rural water markets will improve water use efficiency and reduce environmental problems related to altered river flows and salinity.” Productivity Commission Media Release, 15 June, 2006

7.00 Official Conference Dinner: The Deck Restaurant The 6th Annual Australian Water Summit Official Gala Dinner will take place on the evening of the first day of the conference at The Deck Restaurant. Since opening in December 1999, The Deck has been quietly evolving into a highly regarded and much talked about restaurant. With a stunning aspect overlooking Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River and Flinders Street Station, the focus has been on providing substance to compliment its undoubted style. This formal event provided delegates with the opportunity to do business with their peers and clients whilst enjoying a lavish dinner and drinks reception. For a virtual tour of the Deck Restaurant don’t hesitate to visit their website: http://www.thedeckrestaurant.com.au/