NSW State Conference 2026

17 Aug, 2026 - 19 Aug, 2026 |

8.30am – 5.00pm AEST |

Wollongong

The 2026 NSW State Conference in Wollongong will explore the theme of Squeezing Every Last Drop: From Survival to Strength: No Excuses, No Waste. Do More with Less

The era of business as usual is over. The future of water isn’t about finding more, it’s about doing more with less. As resources tighten, populations increase, and the climate shifts faster than policies can keep up, the NSW Water Conference 2026 challenges our thinking about resilience, efficiency, and innovation across the water sector.

This is where the tough conversations will happen. Where we stop talking about problems and start engineering measurable change. Join industry leaders as we confront the forces reshaping the water landscape, from data-driven transformation and bold operational shifts to circular water systems and reimagined governance.

The 2026 Conference is more than a talkfest; it’s a call to action. In a world where every drop counts, doing more with less isn’t optional, it’s survival. The climate won’t wait. Water scarcity is no longer hypothetical. We’ve patched leaks for too long; now it’s time to re-engineer systems, rethink strategies, and turn scarcity into strength.

Program

Event Details

Conference & Exhibition

Date	Tuesday, 18 August - Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Time	8:30am - 5:00pm AEST
Venue	Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
Address	2/14 Cliff Rd, North Wollongong NSW 2500

Welcome Networking Function

Date	Monday, 17 August 2026
Time	6:00pm - 8:00pm AEST
Venue	Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
Cost	$120.00 [in addition to Conference Registration]

Conference Dinner

Date	Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Time	5:30pm - 10:00pm AEST
Venue	To Be Announced
Cost	Included in the conference registration

Registration

Registration Type	Member	Concession Member	Non-Member
Early Bird Full Registration	$630.00	$472.50	$882.00
Early Bird Day Tuesday Only Registration	$378.00	$283.50	$529.20
Early Bird Day Wednesday Only Registration	$360.00	$270.00	$504.00
Early Bird Full Registration + 1 year AWA Membership			$873.00
Standard Full Registration	$700.00	$525.00	$980.00
Standard Day Tuesday Only Registration	$420.00	$315.00	$588.00
Standard Day Wednesday Only Registration	$400.00	$300.00	$560.00
Standard Full Registration + 1 Year AWA Membership			$970.00

*Early bird rate available until 3 July
* Concession rates apply to AWA Concession Members (students, retirees and YWPs under the age of 25).

All registration types include:
- All day catering on your selected days of the conference (day only or full conference)
- Conference dinner on Tuesday, 18 August
- Optional add on for Welcome Networking Function on Monday, 17 August

If you wish to find out more about AWA's membership benefits, contact membership@awa.asn.au.

Optional Add-ons

Site Tour 1: Wollongong Water Recycling Plant

Date	Monday 17 August 2026
Time	1:00pm – Depart Novatel Wollongong Northbeach 1:30pm – Arrive at site/ tour commences 3:30pm – Tour concludes 4:00pm – Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
About	Join us for a guided site tour of the Wollongong Water Recycling Plant and gain insight into how wastewater is treated and transformed into a valuable resource. The tour will showcase how wastewater from homes and businesses is recovered, recycled, reused, or safely discharged to local waterways in line with environmental standards. Participants will learn about the multi-stage treatment process, including primary, secondary, tertiary and advanced tertiary treatment, as well as disinfection. The facility operates under strict Environment Protection Licence (EPL) conditions regulated by the NSW EPA, ensuring treated water meets quality requirements for reuse and environmental discharge, while protecting local waterways and aquatic life.
What to bring	PPE: Long sleeves, long pants and enclosed footwear. Hi vis vests and safety glasses will be provided.
Cost	$60
Capacity	40 guests
How to book	Please add this onto your ticket selection when registering for the conference. If you've already completed your registration, and would now like to add the site tour, please contact the team events@awa.asn.au

Exhibition
If you wish to register your interest to exhibit at the NSW Conference 2026, click the button below and complete the expression of interest form.

Sponsorship
If you wish to register your interest to Sponsor at the NSW Conference 2026, click the button below and complete the expression of interest form.

Accommodation
Discounted accommodation is available at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach.

To book:
Contact the hotel directly (02 4224 3111) to make a reservation quoting the group name or the block code below.
Block name: Australian Water Association B&P
Block code: 2608AUSTRA
Please note: The hotel reservations team will provide a quote of a discounted flexible rate of 15% based on the rates on offer for the day you book. The rates do fluctuate so they may not be the same as each day.

For more information please contact:
EVENT:
Peter Fry, Member Engagement Manager | Ph: 02 9467 8419 | E: PFry@awa.asn.au
Verina Galdas, Event Manager | P: 02 9436 0055 | E: vgaldas@awa.asn.au
EXHIBITION:
Michael Silber, Exhibition and Events Manager | P: 02 9467 8428 | E: msilber@awa.asn.au
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Troy Waite, Partnerships and Sponsorships Manager | P: 02 9467 8426 | E: twaite@awa.asn.au