These are the people behind the scenes of franc.2026, challenging the rationale of current practices and perceptions of urban stormwater and its management.
Nerida Taylor
Sydney Water
President
Nerida has worked for Sydney Water for the past four years on a multifaceted project to bring swimming back to the Parramatta River. This project is a coordinated approach to improve catchment management; including reviewing land-use planning controls, working with partners to improve stormwater management and working internally to upgrade sewer infrastructure.
Previously Nerida worked at Blacktown City Council on their WSUD Capacity Building Program and was involved in initiating Splash, a state and local government funded program that supported the implementation of water sensitive cities, in conjunction with the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities.
Justine Barrett
CSIRO
Secretary
Justine currently has a leading role in stakeholder liaison, operational/fieldwork aspects and on-ground asset management across multiple technology-based projects. She is the chief ‘stormtrooper’, leading the stormwater litter prevention work. Her PhD is aimed at reducing plastic pollution from reaching our waterways and oceans via improving litter capture in stormwater systems across Australia.
Lachlan Shackcloth-Bertinetti
Ocean Protect
Treasurer
For the past decade, Lachlan has been a dedicated figure in the stormwater industry, contributing significantly to Ocean Protect. His primary focus lies in the comprehensive management of stormwater treatment assets, spanning from design and supply to manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Throughout this extensive tenure, Lachlan has acquired a diverse spectrum of industry expertise, engaging with a wide array of stakeholders, including plumbers, civil contractors, builders, developers, engineers, councils, regulators, asset owners, community groups, and charitable organizations, among others.
Having worked extensively across Australia, Lachlan's journey has kindled a profound enthusiasm for our industry and a fervent commitment to advancing stormwater outcomes.
Nell Graham
Georges River Keeper
Program Committee
Nell Graham is an experienced Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resource Manager with strong skills in project management, collaboration, and community consultation. She specialises in the implementation of integrated water management projects that support waterway health, including wetlands, bioretention systems, stormwater initiatives, rainwater harvesting, and water conservation.
She has also led place-based community projects focused on river and vegetation restoration, litter prevention, and behaviour change initiatives.
Alexa McAuley
Civille
Program Committee
Alexa has more than 20 years’ experience in green and blue infrastructure policy, planning and design. Alexa has substantial experience consulting to local government and has helped many local government clients shift water sensitive urban design from a niche practice to a mainstream activity.
Leanne Niblock
Sydney Water
Program Committee
Leanne Niblock is Sydney Water’s Waterway Coordination Manager, responsible for leading a transformative program focused on improving how catchments are managed to create healthier waterways. Since joining the organisation in 2019, Leanne has been instrumental in shaping Sydney Water’s evolving waterway management function, fostering strong partnerships with local councils and catchment groups across Greater Sydney.
Her work spans strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery—including the award-winning Urban Plunge initiative, which is creating new opportunities for safe and accessible swimming in urban waterways. Leanne brings a strong background in sustainability and land use planning, having spent much of her career in local government. She is passionate about building partnerships and delivering impactful outcomes for communities and the environment.
David Nixon
Stormwater Services Australia
Program Committee
David Nixon has over 38 years of experience in water and environmental management, having worked across multinationals, utilities, councils, small businesses, and start-ups. Throughout his career, he has held a range of roles including director, board advisor, chief executive, chief operating officer, consultant, and business advisor.
He is currently a director and business advisor working across a variety of environmental, water, and business entities. David also serves as Managing Director for Stormwater Services Australia, operating as Stormwater Sydney, Stormwater Melbourne, and Stormwater Brisbane.
Through these organisations, he oversees the delivery of a wide range of stormwater services, including consulting, audit, design, construction, maintenance, and repairs.
In addition, David is the Chair of Stormwater 2030, a not-for-profit organisation focused on improving stormwater management and environmental outcomes in New South Wales.
Ralph Ogden
ACT Government
Program Committee
Dr Ralph Ogden has been the ACT Healthy Waterways program manager in the ACT Government for the past six years. Previously he worked as Director of Knowledge and Communications at the Australian Water Partnership, was the Senior Scientist at the National Water Commission, held several Executive Manager positions in the eWater Cooperative Research Centre, and served as Director of Knowledge Exchange in the Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology.
Ralph has a research background with an interest in the ecology of billabongs on the Murray River and tributaries via a PhD at the Australian National University, and river-floodplain ecology and catchment science in research roles at the University of Canberra and CSIRO Land & Water.
Dr Kefeng Zhang
Georges River Keeper
Program Committee
Dr Kefeng Zhang is a Senior Lecturer at the Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney. Kefeng is a dedicated researcher with a strong focus on stormwater water management and the implementation of nature-based green technologies (also called Water Sensitive Urban Design, WSUD), such as bioretention systems, wetlands and green walls.
His expertise lies in understanding the pollution and risks associated with various water sources, including stormwater, greywater, and pre-treated wastewater, and effectively utilizing green technologies to manage these risks.
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Key Dates
Call for Abstracts Closes
Friday, 1 May 2026
Early Bird Registration Closes
Friday, 31 July 2026
Workshops
Tuesday 27 October 2026
Conference Dates
Wednesday 28- Thursday 29 October 2026
Technical Tour
Friday 30 October 2026
Conference Convenor
Stormwater NSW
in Partnership with
ACT Government
Conference Secretariat
GEMS Event Management Australia
ABN 30 615 654 629
Contact us
For all registration and accommodation inquiries call 02 9744 5252 or email registration@gemsevents.com.au
