Regional water utilities are increasingly being asked to deliver more with less. From ageing infrastructure and workforce challenges to funding constraints and increasing community expectations, the pressure to deliver efficient and sustainable outcomes has never been greater.

This panel will explore how regional organisations can navigate these challenges through fit-for-purpose procurement, delivery models, governance frameworks, and strategic partnerships. Is a larger program, alliance, or regional collaboration always the answer, or can smaller, targeted approaches deliver better outcomes? How do organisations make informed decisions when balancing risk, affordability, capability, and long-term value?

Bringing together a diverse group of leaders from across the water sector, our panelists represent experience spanning regional and metropolitan utilities, local government, consulting, construction, and service delivery. Having worked across both public and private sectors, they bring firsthand insights into what has worked, what hasn't, and the lessons learned along the way.

With a strong focus on regional Australia, the discussion will highlight practical examples and real-world experiences that attendees can take back to their own plants, operations, and organisations. The aim is not to prescribe a single model, but to share the thinking, challenges, successes, and lessons that have shaped decision-making in different contexts.

Whether you are considering new procurement approaches, regional collaboration opportunities, alternative delivery models, or simply looking to maximise outcomes from limited resources, this session will provide valuable insights to help inform future decisions and support better outcomes for regional communities.

Join us for an engaging discussion that asks a simple question - Is Bigger Better?- while exploring the practical realities of delivering water services in regional Australia.

37 years experience as a General Manager, Director and Chief Executive Officer, working across the public and private sectors. These include:

Graham has been involved in the water sector for 20 years from providing consulting engineering services, to managing water service providers - the last 10 years as a Director within Queensland Local Government. Graham’s experience has focussed on leading organisations through cultural transformation, encompassing both operational and strategic elements resulting in an uplift across organisational general performance and improved financial sustainability. He has a passion for strategically delivering water security and the overall sustainable provision of water services, particularly in regional communities.

Graham was involved in key water sector reform in Tasmania with his expertise backed by experience on a range of private and public company Boards and Committees such as the Hobart Water Authority and the Water Services Association of Australia.

Narelle D'Amico - Panelist
Director Water and Waste Services
Fraser Coast Regional Council

Infrastructure executive and environmental engineer with over 20 years’ experience leading complex public infrastructure systems. I work at the intersection of water security, regional growth and organisational leadership, with a focus on resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

The skills I've developed through my most recent positions, including committee and Board opportunities, combined with my engineering qualifications, Master of Leadership and Graduate Certificate in executive coaching, enable me to empower and drive change with leaders through understanding the whole system across multiple teams, how they interact and where tension exists. We achieve this through building trusted relationships, courageous conversations, that further connect people, share stories and builds strong teams, cutting across heirachy and functions.

Stephen Tansley - Presenter
Water and Waste Services
Fraser Coast Regional Council