2026 SA Young Water Professionals Forum – Influencing Our Water Future Through Policy

Join the SA Young Water Professionals for "Influencing Our Water Future Through Policy", a forum designed to demystify policy and empower the next generation of water professionals to engage confidently in the decisions shaping South Australia's water policy future.

While designed with Young Water Professionals in mind, the Forum is open to professionals at all career stages who want to learn more about water policy. It will also bring together a select group of experienced water sector leaders who will share their expertise, provide guidance and mentoring, and support open discussion in a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Policy plays a critical role in how water systems are planned, regulated and operated, yet many emerging professionals perceive it as complex, inaccessible or reserved for senior leaders.

As South Australia navigates significant challenges and opportunities across water security, climate resilience, flood mitigation, environmental stewardship and First Nations engagement, understanding how policy is developed and implemented has never been more important.

This year's YWP Forum will provide a practical and engaging exploration of the policy landscape through a series of South Australian case studies presented by professionals directly involved in policy development and delivery.

Water professionals attending will gain valuable insight into past, current and future policy initiatives, exploring why policy decisions are made, how policy evolves over time, how it shapes day-to-day work across the sector, the trade-offs and constraints involved, and how individuals and organisations can influence outcomes.

A key outcome of the Forum will be the development of a shared statement capturing the outcomes YWP’s seek from water policy into the future, for consideration in current and future policy discussions.

Join us for this unique opportunity as we bring SA’s Young Water Professionals on the policy journey and explore how informed, constructive and diverse participation can help create better outcomes for the water sector and the communities it serves.

What to Expect:

• Why Policy Matters - an engaging keynote presentation setting the scene of the event
• The Past and Learning from Experience – hear firsthand about a successful case study from The Hon. Karlene Maywald
• The Present: Policy in Practice - Panel discussion featuring SA policy makers demystifying policy for us
• The Future and Shaping What’s Next – put your learning in practice and imagine the future of policy
• Networking

Keynote and Welcome Address

Dan Jordan – Executive Director, Water and River Murray, Department of Environment and Water (DEW)

Dan Jordan is the recently appointed Executive Director, Water and River Murray in the South Australian Department for Environment and Water and serves as the State’s senior official on Murray-Darling Basin Officials Committee and the National Water Committee. Dan has held executive roles within the State’s water portfolio since 2010 and in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet prior to that. Dan has also previously represented the South Australian Government on the Border Groundwaters Agreement Review Committee and Forest Industries Advisory Council, as well as on the Goyder Institute for Water Research Board and South Australian Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board.

Keynote – Lessons Learnt (the Past)

Hon. Karlene Maywald – Managing Director, Maywald Consultants, Board Director, SAAFE^CRC & South Australian Water Ambassador.

Karlene has dedicated her career to the sustainable management of water and improving access to water for all. Karlene is the Managing Director of Maywald Consultants and holds a broad portfolio of Board positions including Chair of the CRC for Solving Antimicrobial Resistance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment; Chair of Tonkin and. Chair of the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust.

Panel Session – The current state of policy (the Present)

In a panel discussion facilitated by the YWP’s very own Jessica Bohorquez and George Hill, the Panel will see Hon. Karlene Maywald (see bio above) be joined by:

Yvette Colton – Founder and Principal, Colton Consulting

Yvette is an independent water policy advisor with over 15 years' experience helping governments, research organisations and industry navigate complex water policy, governance and reform challenges at local, national and international scales. Through Colton Consulting and drawing on senior public sector and consulting experience, she combines deep sector knowledge, strategic facilitation and structured frameworks to align diverse stakeholders and turn complexity into clear pathways for action. Her work bridges technical complexity and policy decision-making, translates research into accessible, policy-ready products, and designs collaborative processes that build trust, strengthen capability and support lasting reform.

Peta Brettig – Principal Policy Officer, Department of Environment and Water (DEW)

Peta is a Principal Policy Officer with the South Australian Department for Environment and Water, working in water policy, planning and security. With more than 20 years' experience across operational, governance and policy roles, she has led initiatives that support sustainable water management and help communities, industries and the environment navigate complex water challenges in a changing climate. Most recently, she has partnered with Traditional Owners to advance Aboriginal water rights and interests in South Australia. Peta is committed to evidence-based and collaborative policy development and meaningful engagement to achieve positive outcomes for communities, Country and the environment

Corey Turner - Chairperson of Green Adelaide's Aboriginal Advisory Board, Warpulai Kumangka & Founder and Director of Aboriginal Urban Design and Southern Cultural Immersion

Corey Turner is a proud Kaurna man and Chairperson of Green Adelaide's Aboriginal Advisory Board, Warpulai Kumangka, where he helps guide decision-making on matters relating to Kaurna environmental interests and the stewardship of Country. Through this leadership role, Corey advocates for the integration of First Nations knowledge, values and aspirations into environmental planning, land management and water-related decision-making across Kaurna land. Corey has been working towards the better management of urban waterways through legislative protection of rivers as a living entity and guardianship by Traditional Owners.

Corey is also the Founder and Director of Aboriginal Urban Design and Southern Cultural Immersion, bringing over 30 years' experience in First Nations engagement, stakeholder collaboration and culturally informed co-design and cultural awareness. He is recognised for building strong partnerships between Traditional Owners, government agencies, infrastructure providers and communities to create outcomes that are both culturally meaningful and environmentally sustainable. Over his career, Corey has led Aboriginal engagement for some of South Australia's most significant infrastructure and development projects. His work focuses on embedding cultural knowledge, community aspirations and principles of self-determination into project planning and delivery.

Corey challenges audiences to move beyond acknowledgement towards genuine collaboration, shared stewardship and healthier outcomes for communities, waterways and landscapes. Corey offers First Nations perspectives on the cultural, environmental and spiritual significance of water. His insights into caring for Country, Traditional Owner partnerships and the integration of First Nations knowledge systems provide practical and thought-provoking considerations for water policy, governance, planning, management and connection.

Workshop – How to influence the future

The event will conclude with an interactive workshop to put into action the skills learned during the previous sessions, hosted by:

Dr Ashley Kingsborough – Senior Manager, Water Futures and Security, SA Water

Dr. Ashley Kingsborough is an environmental engineer with more than 20 years’ experience in water resource management and climate change adaptation. He has a PhD from the University of Oxford on climate change risk and a background spanning the private sector, government and academia. He has worked in roles ranging from hydrology and engineering design to strategy and policy development.

Ashley joined SA Water as the Senior Manager Water Futures and Security in 2023, where he leads a team responsible for developing and implementing SA Water’s long-term water strategies as well as its short-term water security response.

Event Order

• Welcome to Country
• Sponsor Address
• Keynote Welcome Address
• Keynote (The Past)
• Panel Discussion (the Present)
• Interactive Workshop (the Future)

Why Attend:

Policy in Practice: Discover how water policy is developed, implemented and translated into real-world outcomes across South Australia's water sector.

Confidence Through Understanding: Demystify policy, understand the trade-offs behind decision-making, leave with the knowledge and language to engage confidently in future policy conversations.

Build Your Influence: Learn how YWPs can contribute to policy discussions, shape future initiatives and drive positive change.

Future Water: Explore the policy challenges and opportunities emerging from climate resilience, water security, flood mitigation and First Nations engagement.

Collaborate & Contribute: Help develop a shared YWP outcomes statement that captures key challenges, opportunities and aspirations to influence the future of water policy in South Australia.

Networking: Connect with passionate water professionals, policy professionals, utilities, government representatives and industry leaders who are helping shape South Australia's water future.

Event Details

Conference 

Registration details

For more information please contact:

Membership
Mark Jones, Member Engagement Manager | Ph: 02 9467 8413 | E: mjones@awa.asn.au