StormCast November 2021

Welcome to the November 2021 edition of Stormcast!
We have packed this edition with the latest news and events from both Stormwater Queensland and Stormwater NSW to give you a broad insight into our industry and association across the nation.

STORMWATER QUEENSLAND’S NEW PRESIDENT –
KATIE FLETCHER

First of all, I’d like offer my gratitude to Peter Worth and his committee for carrying our organisation through the pandemic. Dialling into the frequent online webinars has been invaluable to maintain currency of knowledge and to see the familiar faces of the stormwater industry while working from home. I’ve also been very happy to see the StormCast newsletter take flight! Expanding this to a joint QLD-NSW newsletter adds a lot of interesting content and knowledge.

In taking on the role of President, my motto is ‘future focussed’.

With so much attention on the vital issue of climate change, stormwater has a big role to play. We are already contributing to climate adaptation and mitigation through our every day work but let’s look to how we can share these lessons with other disciplines; let’s promote our role in sustainability and help our stakeholders build a more resilient world.

I would also like to ensure the longevity of the organisation through development and support for future generations of stormwater leaders. I feel like one of the last members of the ‘old guard’ to become president of Stormwater Queensland. A successful term for me will mean getting voted out in a future election by an eager, ready replacement! I will focus on inclusion, recognition and support for the future generations of stormwater professionals wherever possible.

Finally, I am keen to see Stormwater Queensland expand its profile to be the premier organisation for ALL things stormwater. This means expanding our reach and diversity to educate and advocate for all elements of stormwater management. Water quality treatment is an important part but let’s make sure we’re capturing the conveyance infrastructure (‘drainage’ is not a sexy word…) people too!

We’re all on the same team to support the stormwater industry. Here’s to a collaborative, inspiring, educational two years!

– Katie Fletcher

STORMWATER QUEENSLAND’S COMMITEE 2021/22

Following the Stormwater Queensland 2021 AGM, The new committee that was appointed is as follows:

President: Katie Fletcher
Secretary: David Simpson
Treasurer: Charles Coathup
Brad Dalrymple
Courtney Henderson
Paul Dubowski
Himanthi Mendis
Bill Johnson
Leon Attwood
Clint Mead
Hannah Murphy

Learn more about the Stormwater Queensland committee

EVENTS

2021 STORMWATER NSW AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

For the health and safety of our members and award finalists, Stormwater NSW has made the decision to present the 2021 Awards for Excellence in a virtual format. The virtual Awards Presentation will be held from 4pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, 1st December 2021, via the OnAIR platform.

Registration is free to attend and available now.

This is the perfect excuse to host a ‘viewing party’ from your office and get behind your fellow colleagues within the industry and their achievements.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR FRANC.SYDNEY

Stormwater NSW have reimagined their state conference and the inaugural franc.sydney conference will be held on the 29th and 30th March 2022, at Dockside Darling Harbour, Sydney. Supported by:

Stormwater Queensland
Stormwater Victoria
The Sydney Institute of Marine Science
The University of NSW Water Centre
The Parramatta River Catchment Group
The Cooks River Alliance
The Georges Riverkeeper; and
Water Sensitives Cities Australia

This conference aims to join stakeholders in the urban water management sector across multiple disciplines to become more future-focused, resilient, adaptive and connected.

Members of Stormwater Queensland, Victoria and NSW will all have the opportunity to register at discounted rates. For more information or to register visit www.franc.sydney

WEBSITE

NEWS & UPDATES

THE UNIVERSITY OF NSW CALL FOR HELP WITH RESEARCH

Researchers at UNSW are conducting a project about how waters are known, placed and heard across surface and subsurface waterscapes of eastern Sydney.

The research study is looking to interview people with an interest in water and who meet the following criteria:
• Over the age of 18 years.
• Individuals must be employed by an operational institution with interests in water infrastructures of Sydney.
• Have an interest in water, water infrastructure and the design of water features in Sydney.

This research aims to investigate the ways that Sydney’s water infrastructure, in particular stormwater infrastructures (e.g. drains, canals and pipes) have been designed, planned, managed, and governed. The research aims to better understand the ways that people think about both surface and underground water infrastructures in Sydney.

Learn more about how you can become involved.

WEBINAR

NATIONAL STUDY OF INFRASTRUCTURE RISK –
INCREASED STORM EVENTS

The Australian Government has just released their National Study of Infrastructure Risk. Although climate change is often mentioned throughout the report and there is a specific section (page 33) that addresses hazards like increased storm events. The report fails to mention stormwater management as both a challenge and a solution. This indicates a gap in the epistemological perspective of Infrastructure Australia.

Take a look at the Study and join the conversation via Stormwater NSW LinkedIn page.

LIVING SEAWALLS’ BRING BACK
BIODIVERSITY TO SYDNEY HARBOUR

Globally, the area of the seafloor impacted by built infrastructure is greater than the area of the world’s mangrove and seagrass forests. Structures such as seawalls, pilings, pontoons and marinas are built for diverse purposes such as shoreline protection, recreational activities and energy generation, but lack the complexity required for a biodiverse marine environment. Living Seawalls has shown that despite marine construction being a large part of the problem, it can also be part of the solution. By blending ecological concepts and engineering in creative design, the Living Seawalls team is reviving our increasingly urbanised oceans through the development of affordable, adaptable and scalable methods of ecologically enhancing structures. Learn more about Living Seawalls and their work.

MEMBERSHIP

Have you thought about becoming a member of Stormwater Queensland or Stormwater New South Wales?

Benefits of a membership include:

Discounted registration fees to conferences, workshops, technical tours and social functions
Access to all webinar recordings and materials
Access to Conference Papers delivered at Stormwater Conferences across the country
Opportunities to network with industry practitioners representing local government, state government, manufacturers, consultants and other relevant stakeholders
Support the stormwater industry, improve stormwater management practice and contribute to the organisation that represents your stormwater interests.

FIND OUT MORE

STORMWATER QUEENSLAND MEMBERSHIP

STORMWATER NSW MEMBERSHIP

CONTRIBUTE
If you have articles or stories you want to share with us to be published, email admin@stormwaterqueensland.asn.au for Queensland members or admin@stormwaternsw.asn.au for NSW members.