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NSW Minister's Breakfast 2026

Icon of a calendar 27 Oct, 2026 - 27 Oct, 2026 | Small clock icon 7.30am – 10.00am | Icon of a map pin ARUP, Sydney

Join us for a insightful morning of networking, and the chance to hear from influential figures in the NSW Water industry. Indulge in a light breakfast while engaging with key voices in the field.

Topic: The Future of Water in the Digital Economy

As digital transformation and AI adoption accelerate across NSW, their demand for water, energy, and land is reshaping how we plan and deliver critical infrastructure. At the same time, communities are asking a fundamental question: how do we balance digital growth with water security, drought resilience, and social licence

This Minister’s Breakfast brings together leaders across water utilities, infrastructure planning, and the digital economy to explore how recycled water, circular water systems, and smarter regulation can enable resilient digital growth in NSW.

With drought conditions an ever-present risk in Australia’s climate future, and a broader state strategy on the horizon, now is the time to define what “responsible growth” looks like, where digital infrastructure and AI capability don’t just consume resources but actively contribute to them.

 

Speakers

Rose Jackson Headshot

 

Keynote Speaker: The Hon Rose Jackson MLC 
Minister for Water, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Youth, Minister for the North Coast 

Rose Jackson is a Labor Member of the NSW Legislative Council and Minister for Mental Health, Housing, Homelessness, Youth, Water and the North Coast. Rose was elected to the Legislative Council in May 2019 and has been fighting for real action on climate change and tackling homelessness and housing affordability.   

Rose has also held a variety of roles within the labour and union movement including Assistant Secretary of NSW Labor and as an official for United Voice (formerly LHMU.) 

Rose lives with her family in Rockdale and is passionate about making our society fairer for everyone. 

 

Bronwyn Cumbo headshot

 

Dr Bronwyn Cumbo
Lecturer at UTS Transdisciplinary School and Research Affiliate with Monash University's Emerging Technologies Research Lab

Dr Bronwyn Cumbo is a Lecturer at UTS Transdisciplinary School and Research Affiliate with Monash University's Emerging Technologies Research Lab. She is researching Australia’s the emergence of Australia's data centre industry, how it is experienced by local communities, and ways to codesign a sustainable and equitable data centre industry. Dr Cumbo is currently leading the Australian Public Policy Institute-funded project  Grounding the Cloud: Co-creating a Sustainable, Community-Inclusive Data Centre Industry.  

 

Danielle Francis hi res

 

Danielle Francis
Manager Customer and Policy, Water Services Association of Australia

Danielle is the Manager, Customer & Policy at Water Services Association of Australia – the peak body for urban water. WSAA’s members supply water services to over 24 million Australian residents & businesses. Danielle was recently named as the Australian Water Professional of the Year, NSW Water Professional of the Year, and received the Advocacy Achievements Award from the United States WaterReuse Association.  

 

Tom Gellibrand photo 2025

 

Tom Gellibrand
Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure NSW

Tom Gellibrand is a Senior Executive with over 30 years’ experience in strategic urban, transport and infrastructure planning and delivery at the state and local government level.

Prior to being appointed Chief Executive of Infrastructure NSW in October 2023, he was the Head of Projects NSW at Infrastructure NSW, leading a team delivering some of Sydney’s iconic sporting and cultural institutions, with the goal to create a sustainable infrastructure legacy for NSW.

Before joining Infrastructure NSW, he was the Acting Chief Executive of Sydney Metro and oversaw the successful delivery of all aspects of the Metro program, including projects under construction and in planning.

Tom has extensive experience working across both the public and private sector. Tom has held senior executive roles leading the planning and development of land, the provision of urban services, and the successful delivery of major utility, transport, and social infrastructure.

Shay Singh green building australia

 

Shay Singh
Head of Policy,  Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)

As Head of Policy, Shay leads the strategic direction of GBCA’s policy and government relations agenda. He works closely with industry leaders, government partners and stakeholders across the built environment to shape high‑impact policy, strengthen national advocacy, and support Australia’s transition through Green Star and improved building performance standards.

Shay regularly contributes to industry roundtables and steering committees, fostering collaboration and driving systemic change across the sector. In his previous role as Senior Manager, Policy and Government Relations, Shay played a key role in strengthening GBCA’s policy voice, expanding relationships across all levels of government, and advancing major national advocacy initiatives. Having previously worked in the Green Star Operations team, Shay also brings valuable insights from his earlier tenure at GBCA and a proven ability to bring people together to advance sustainability outcomes.

Carly Wishart Headshot

 

Carly Wishart
Managing Director, Corporate & International, AirTrunk

Carly Wishart is the Managing Director, Corporate & International of AirTrunk, the leading hyperscale data centre provider enabling the growth of the cloud and artificial intelligence across the Asia-Pacific & Middle East, and one of the fastest growing technology companies in the world.

AirTrunk was the pioneer of hyperscale data centres in APAC, focused on delivering unmatched scale, speed, efficiency, and reliability for its customers. Since 2015, AirTrunk established its footprint in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, providing a connected, secure, and sustainable home for data across the region.

Carly leads a broad portfolio of corporate and country operations, including overseeing corporate affairs, finance, legal, procurement, technology and safety.

Carly was the former Director of Data Center Planning and Delivery for Amazon Web Services (AWS) APJC region, responsible for the high quality, on-time and cost-efficient delivery of data centre infrastructure. Prior to AWS, Carly was the Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer of ENGIE Asia Pacific based in Singapore, and the former CEO of Simply Energy in Australia.

Carly has an Executive Master of Business Administration from The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Brendan Dagg_HERO

 

Facilitator
Brendan Dagg
Senior Process Engineer, Beca HunterH2O 

Brendan Dagg is a Senior Process Enginneer at Beca HunterH2O, specialising in the planning, design and optimisation of water and wastewater infrastructure across Australia and the Pacific. A Chartered Chemical Engineer, he has led the deliver of complex projects that support water security, resource recovery, climate resilience and the circular economy.

Brendan is Vice President of the Australian Water Association's NSW Branch and was recognised as the 2025 AWA NSW Young Water Professional of the Year. He is also passionate about developing the next generation through his role as an industry advisor at the University of Newcastle. 

Sally Rewell Headshot-jpg

 

MC
Sally Rewell
Water Resource Recovery Lead - North

Sally has over 15 years’ experience in the water industry. She graduated from University of Technology, Sydney with a Master of Engineering Management, and the University of Sydney with an honour’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Sally’s role at Sydney Water is the Water Resource Recovery Leader North, managing the 8 treatment plants in the north and north west of Sydney. She is currently President of the Australian Water Association NSW Branch committee and co-chair of the National Operations Specialist Network.

 

 

 

 

Event Details

Date Tuesday, 27 October, 2026
Time 7:30am - 10:00am 
Venue ARUP Sydney Office
Address

Level 6, Barrack Place, 151 Clarence Street, Sydney 

Dress Code

Business Casual 

Parking

If you are driving, the nearest parking station is the Wilson Parking at 321 Kent Street (accessible from Sussex Street). For further information or to book in advance click here.

Registrations

Registration Type Registration Fee
Member $115
Non-Member $161
Concession Member (students, retired members, YWP under 25) $86
Online Member $25
Online Non-Member $50
Online Boardroom $200
In-person event Online Event
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Sponsorship
If you wish to register your interest to Sponsor at the NSW Minister's Breakfast 2026, click the button below and complete the expression of interest form.


Sponsorship EOI

 

 

For more information:

Event

Peter Fry, Member Engagement Manager | Ph: 02 9467 8419 | pfry@awa.asn.au
Laura Six, Events Manager | Ph: 0480 388 322 | lsix@awa.asn.au 

Sponsorship

Troy Waite, Partnerships, Sponsorships and Advertising Manager
Ph: 0418 404 692 | twaite@awa.asn.au

 

 Thank you to our generous Sponsors
Breakfast Host

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Breakfast Partners

 

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