Australia’s first inland city, Goulburn, has won the right to host next year’s Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Water Management Conference which is expected to attract hundreds of participants from across NSW.
This annual event, which will take place from Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 September 2024, showcases the latest technical innovations and enables delegates to share best practice in water governance and management.
The Water Management Conference brings together local government water utilities and stakeholders to hear from leading researchers, practitioners and industry experts who will explore practical solutions to water and sewerage treatment.
LGNSW President Darriea Turley AM said water continued to be one of the sector’s most important areas of advocacy.
“I want to congratulate Goulburn Mulwaree Council on winning the right to host next year’s event,” Cr Turley said.
“Next 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.
“The recent La Niña period and extensive flooding of the past two years in NSW were now likely to be followed by an El Niño period with the possibility of droughts around the corner.
“And conferences like ours ensure we don’t forget about drought during an extended wet period.”
She said the people of Goulburn knew 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.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mayor Peter Walker echoed Cr Turley’s words and said he was thrilled the council would host next year’s conference.
“Conferences provide the opportunity to get together and produce new initiatives and re-look at older ones,” Cr Walker said.
“This conference will allow all of those attending the opportunity to talk about Australia’s most valuable resource – water.
“Goulburn is one of the most protected regions in Australia for water, after the completion of the Highland Source Project, which involved construction of an 81km water pipeline and ancillary infrastructure from Wingecarribee Reservoir near Bowral to the Goulburn Water Treatment Plant,” he said.
“Water security for Goulburn is now assured.
“Goulburn Mulwaree Council looks forward to welcoming the 2024 LGNSW water Conference participants to the region.”
