Adelaide Water Forum: being smarter with less

The inaugural Adelaide Water Forum: Being Smarter with Less Water. 8.30am-5.00pm Monday 18 October.
Full Image (143.6K)

Wednesday, 13 October 2010

Being Smarter with Less Water is the theme of the inaugural Adelaide Water Forum, which will be held on Monday 18 October at the Adelaide Zoo as part of National Water Week 2010.

The Adelaide Water Forum, to be opened by Minister for Water the Hon. Paul Caica, is a joint initiative of the Water Research Centre in the Environment Institute at the University of Adelaide and SA Water.

Key presenters include Professor Barry Hart, respected water scientist and member of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and James Cameron, Acting CEO of the National Water Commission. They will talk about where Australia fits on the world water stage, what we do well in water management, and where we need to improve.

Professor Mike Young, Executive Director of the University's Environment Institute, says the Adelaide Water Forum aims to generate debate on current water issues, and to update members of industry, government and community organisations on research priorities into one of our most precious natural resources.

"We are at a critical point in implementing sustainable management of our water resources," Professor Young says.

"This forum seeks to gather as much experience as possible, generating positive discussion on the way forward. Its aim is to lead to practical action, through innovative research and management.

"At the forum, we will hear from 20 speakers from around Australia and overseas who are all experts in their fields. They will offer us a report card on water research and management to date, and a vision for the future. It should be a day of active exchange of water experiences at every level, from local communities to national and global examples," he says.

SA Water Head of Water, Quality and Environment Dr John Howard says SA Water is proud to be a partner in the forum, which is a great opportunity to learn more about the water industry and the many aspects to it.

"There is a substantial amount of work and research which goes on behind the scenes in the water industry, with South Australia being home to many world leaders in both the research and industry sectors," Dr Howard says.

"Ongoing drought conditions have placed a much greater emphasis on utilising different water sources and technologies to ensure we value every drop, and forums such as this highlight what we're doing and what we can look forward to into the future.

"Being Smarter with Less Water is an important topic for today's society and we're looking forward to listening to the ideas and views of people who are leaders in their fields," he says.

SA Water will make three presentations at the forum, covering opportunities for smarter management and water use, the water research landscape in Australia and also water quality and quantity.

Other speakers include Ian Kowalick, former Independent Commissioner on the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Karyn Bradford, Coordinator of the Milang Old Schoolhouse Community Centre, and Dr Bill Young, Director of the CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country Flagship Program.

Topics include priorities for research and development of new smarter tools for decision making, for measuring social values and for innovation in water businesses.

WHAT: The inaugural Adelaide Water Forum: Being Smarter with Less Water
WHERE: Attenborough Room, The Sanctuary, Adelaide Zoo
WHEN: 8.30am-5.00pm Monday 18 October
COST: Tickets are $50 (+ booking fee) available from Venue*Tix. For bookings, call (08) 8225 8888 or visit the Venue*Tix website

For more information, including a full program of the event, go to: www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/wrc

Contact Details