On behalf of the Conference Committee, I am pleased to announce that the 2015 Stormwater Queensland Conference will be held on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th July, with a Technical Tour to be held on Friday 17th July. The two-day Conference will be held at The Armitage Centre – at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba.

In recent years, appropriate water management has been a key focus of the ‘Garden City’.   In 2009, the city’s water supply was at an all-time low of 7.7%, leading to major water restrictions, a proposed (and subsequently rejected) potable water re-use scheme, and a $187Million pipeline from Wivenhoe Dam.   In January 2011, however, the city and surrounding areas were devastated by flash flooding.

With significant growth predicted in the region, Toowoomba Regional Council is committed to “plan and deliver safe and effective stormwater management outcomes and a flood resilient region” and “advance water use efficiency and water cycle innovation throughout the region” (Toowoomba Regional Council Corporate Plan, 2014-19).

The Conference provides a unique opportunity to bring together the best and brightest minds within the stormwater industry in Queensland (and beyond) to share and gain knowledge, experience and expertise – and build strong collaborative partnerships.

As in past years, we aim to build a strong conference program that will provide an opportunity for delegates to learn from the experience of others on a broad range of topics, and continue to provide these stormwater professionals with an insight into the key factors that have resulted in successful urban water management projects across Queensland.

Brad Dalrymple

President, Stormwater Queensland