NSW Newcastle Technical Event February 2025

Newcastle Sub Committee Presents: How will the transition to future technologies effect the water industry?

Join the AWA Newcastle committee for an insightful technical event that delves into challenges and transformative shifts within the water industry.

We stand at the frontier of the most rapid, profound transformation in human civilization's history. Key technologies are converging to revolutionise six foundational sectors of our global economy: information, energy, transportation, food, labour, and materials. This unprecedented pace and scale of change are set to have deep implications for the global economy, societies, and civilization itself. But what about water? As perhaps the most critical resource impacting multiple sectors of the economy, is it on the brink of disruption too? 

Our expert speakers will address pivotal topics shaping the sector. From the impending Asset Management Cliff facing water utilities across the country to ever increasing risks and challenges including Cyber Security risks, and the rapid introduction of Artificial Intelligence to support planning and decision making for water industry professionals. Don't miss this chance to keep abreast of the rapidly evolving water sector! 

Speaker 1:  Dr Donavan Marney – Asset Management - ADE Consulting Group

Don is a Senior Principal Consultant at ADE Consulting Group, specializing in pipeline condition assessment and materials behavior to predict asset performance and lifespan. Formerly a Senior Research Scientist and Team Leader at CSIRO, Don established the Intelligent Water Networks Research Stream, advancing water quality sensors, AI-driven asset maintenance, and failure prediction to improve asset management.

Don has also held roles at Victoria University, ANSTO, UNSW, and Swinburne, leading applied research collaborations in Data Science, Chemistry, and Materials Science & Engineering. His industry clients include Nexans Australia, Memjet, Boeing, Melbourne Water, and Sydney Water.

Speaker 2:  Sunil Sharma – Global Cybersecurity Practice Leader - GHD

Sunil is Global Cybersecurity Practice Leader at GHD with over 25 years of experience in the Digital Risk and Security, and Information Communications Technology fields of practice. Prior to joining GHD, Sunil led the Digital Risk and Cyber Security practices at PwC and Accenture and has held global leadership roles across various industries. Sunil has assisted organisations setting up comprehensive digital risk practices, operating models and executing successful roll out of risk controls across Energy, Water, Transport, Finance and banking, Insurance and Retail industries. Sunil is also prolific speaker and thought leader in his respective domains of expertise.

Speaker 3: Prof Fang Chen – Artificial Intelligence - University of Technology Sydney

Distinguished Professor Fang Chen is a globally recognised leader in AI and data science, renowned for her remarkable achievements across industry, government, and academia. She has received many prestigious awards, including the Australian Museum Eureka Prize, often referred to as the "Oscar" of Australian Science. With over a decade of experience, Fang has applied analytics and AI to more than 30 utilities worldwide, tackling critical challenges in asset management, water quality, demand forecasting, corrosion, chemical dosing, and energy management. In recognition of her contributions, she was named the “Water Professional of the Year” by AWA NSW in 2016.

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