Australia’s first inland city, Goulburn – in the Goulburn Mulwaree local government area – will host the annual Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Water Management Conference in July 2024.
The event, to be held 23–25 July, showcases the latest technical innovations. Hundreds of delegates will join to share the best practices in water governance and management.
The Water Management Conference draws together local water utilities and stakeholders to hear from leading researchers, practitioners and industry experts who will explore practical water and sewerage treatment solutions.
LGNSW President, Cr Darriea Turley AM congratulated Goulburn Mulwaree Council on winning the right to host this year’s event. Water continued to be one of the sector’s advocacy priorities.
“This year’s conference will be a critical forum as we continue to discuss and develop state-of-the-art water policy within the local government sector,” Cr Turley said.
“The people of Goulburn know only too well the critical importance of a reliable water supply, with a history of water shortages until the opening of the Highland Source Pipeline in 2011.
The La Niña period and extensive flooding of the past two years in New South Wales presented unprecedented challenges for the local government sector and the wider water management industry.
“Conferences like ours ensure we don’t forget about either type of extreme weather events. We need to be as prepared as possible to cope with the increasingly likely severe weather events associated with climate change,” Cr Turley said.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek MP (via video message), New South Wales Minister for Water Rose Jackson MLC, and state Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke MP will address the delegates.
Mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Cr Peter Walker, highlighted that water is Australia’s most critical resource.
“Our key challenges involve water conservation, protecting our water bodies and reservoirs, and guaranteeing clean drinking water for our community,” Cr Walker said. “Conferences such as the LGNSW Water Conference are pivotal for sharing knowledge and networking. I warmly welcome all participants to the Goulburn Mulwaree region.”
