When Water Speaks: How to Communicate What Australia Cannot Ignore

Because water policy doesn't change until the story does. 

Our voices are the missing infrastructure. We cannot build resilience without building understanding. Narratives drive decisions so this can be an opportunity to shape them together. 

From frustration to influence: Australia's water story can start here.  

Event Details: 

• Date:  Wednesday 22 April, 2026 
• Time:  5:00pm check in for 5.30pm start (AEST)
• Location:  John Holland, Level 3, 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
       or ONLINE 
  

Facilitator  

Declan Hearne
Principal Catchment, Land & Heritage - Seqwater
Declan has more than 20 years’ experience delivering integrated, whole-of-water-cycle management across the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout the Asia-Pacific region. His work focuses on evidence-based approaches that support healthy, adaptive and resilient communities and ecosystems, with a strong belief in the power of collaboration to unlock innovative solutions, even when resources are limited. Declan is an active member of AWA and currently serves on the QLD Branch Committee.

Panelists

Dr Georgina Davis 
Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Water Directorate (qldwater). Representing all 73 of Queensland’s urban water providers, qldwater is the peak advocacy body for Queensland’s urban water sector.

Prof Steven Kenway    
Professor of urban water systems at The University of Queensland (UQ).
Steven is Director of the ARC Training Centre for Climate-Resilient Water, and Engagement Director for ACWEB. His experience spans the water industry, government, and consulting since 1990. His interdisciplinary research covers urban water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions management.

Professor Kenway specializes in quantitative, data-driven analysis to enhance water security, climate-resilience, and circular economy solutions at precinct, catchment, and city scales. His research has shaped more than 50 international policies, strategies, and infrastructure projects, solving complex urban water challenges globally rather than merely shifting problems. He has delivered independently funded presentations over 35 times at major international water forums including the World Water Congress, World Water Forum, World Water Week, and Singapore International Water Week, and has contributed multiple projects for the Water Research Foundation and Asian Development Bank including the Asian Water Development Outlook.

Melanie Grills
First Nations Programs & Projects Lead, Arup
Proud Gomeroi woman. Trusted advisor. Cultural strategist.

Melanie brings over two decades of experience across infrastructure, energy, native title, and government sectors - but at the heart of everything is a deep commitment to embedding First Nations knowledge, leadership, and integrity into the systems that shape our lives.

As the First Nations Programs & Projects Lead at Arup, Mel works at the intersection of culture, strategy, and systems change. Her work spans early-stage project planning, Connecting with Country frameworks, policy design, and executive-level advisory.  She helps organisations move beyond performative reconciliation to embed meaningful, place-based relationships and Indigenous governance into the way they do business. She leads with cultural courage, care, and clarity. Whether she's sitting with Elders on Country or sitting at the boardroom table, she's focused on building bridges that honour both legacy and innovation - because the future of infrastructure must include the wisdom of the world’s oldest living cultures.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science with a Psychology Major, and a Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching.

Richard Savage  
Technical Director, DWS  
Richard has over 40 years’ experience in consulting engineering, specialising in water resources and water infrastructure planning. His expertise spans hydrology, yield modelling, system management, operations optimisation and integrated water planning, often working with multidisciplinary teams across technical, environmental and scientific sectors while collaborating with stakeholders from government agencies to community organisations.

Richard holds a BSc and Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture. He served on the Australian Water Association Queensland Branch Committee from 2013–2022 and has been a Director of Water Stewardship Asia Pacific, including his recent re-election in 2025. He is currently Technical Director at DWS.

Richard has a strong interest in the relationship between landscapes and water resources, and in advancing land management practices that support more sustainable water systems. A passionate collaborator, he is committed to helping the water industry lead broader conversations about how society understands and values water.

Event Details

Registration

Register now to attend in person or online.