NSW Regional Water Champions Event

Join the NSW Regional Water Champions to discuss the importance of storytelling in sharing experiences and lessons. Three speakers from regional NSW will talk about key events in their regional water industry journey, elaborate on how these impacted them personally and share their learnings.

This will be followed by a discussion panel with our speakers, where attendees will be able to participate and discuss where and how they have experienced storytelling, and its importance within the industry.

There will be five in-person hubs (with food available) as well as online attendance for those that can’t make it to a hub.

Guest Speakers

Adam Wilson is an experienced Water Industry Professional with over 20 years’ experience working in the urban and agricultural water industry. He has a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and a Masters of Project Management, and has held roles in research, regulation, planning, operations, project management, consulting, management, and leadership.

Adam has a passion for seeing improvements in the water industry: improving the workforce through education and training, improving outcomes through processes and procedures, and improving knowledge through applied research. Adam is raising his family in Coffs Harbour (Gumbaynggirr Country) and has recently taken on the role of Group Leader Water & Waste with City of Coffs Harbour.

After moving from South Australia over two years ago Melanie took on the role of Manager of Water and Sewer at Forbes Shire Council. After graduating with a Chemical Engineering degree Melanie started working at SA Water on a graduate rotation. During this period Melanie was able to experience many aspects of a water and sewer business including process design and optimisation, engineering projects and planning, regional and metro wastewater treatment and network operations. Melanie “temporarily” moved to the country seven years ago but quickly realised regional operations was (and still is!) something worth pursuing. Melanie finds the opportunities in regional areas are incredibly rewarding and thoroughly enjoys the positive impacts she is able to provide to the community. Whilst at SA Water Melanie was responsible for managing projects across the state’s regional wastewater treatment plants, including the design and construction of a brand new wastewater treatment plant and the installation of major sludge handling facility.

Melanie is passionate about women in engineering and the water industry and encourages anyone who enjoys giving back to the community or positively impacting the environment to consider jobs within the industry. Melanie is looking forward to the significant growth within the Central West region that is leading to continued expansion of the Water and Sewer networks within Forbes and the continuous relationship building with like-minded professionals.

Wayne Beatty has made a significant impact as Water and Sewerage Manager (Strategic), with Orange City Council for the last 36 years. He has a broad range of experience in the local government water industry in regional NSW managing water, sewerage operations, and delivering multiple infrastructure projects such as the award winning Blackman’s Swamp Creek Stormwater Harvesting Scheme, Australia’s first potable water reuse scheme.

Wayne is the longest serving Executive Committee member of the Water Directorate, with more than 20 years of service, including being Chair since 2017, where he has overseen a major review of the Water Directorate’s Strategic Plan 2019-2024. Wayne is conversant with technical policy issues affecting the water industry and Australia. In 2021, Wayne’s career achievements were celebrated with recognition as a Legend of Water by the Australian Water Association NSW branch.