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Upcoming Events
Tuesday 28, July 2026
15:00 - 18:00 AEST
KPMG, Sydney, Room 21-24, Level 38, 300 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo NSW, Australia
Conference

Join us for the Chamber's inaugural Water Thought Leadership Forum, bringing together government, industry and experts to explore the future of Australia's water system and how we can lift performance and outcomes for business and communities.


Like energy, water underpins growth, resilience and infrastructure planning, from housing and mining to AI and data centres. The Forum opens with a keynote address from Darren Cleary, Managing Director of Sydney Water, followed by panel discussions in which water experts, including Members with strong British and other international experience, unpack the priorities shaping policy. Together we will examine the challenges of water management, from water security, desalination and recycling to housing, stormwater and climate adaptation, before closing with networking drinks.


This is a terrific opportunity for organisations across infrastructure, engineering, construction, investment, technology and research to hear where future need, capability and collaboration are likely to emerge.


Info/Session NameSpeaker(s)
Keynote & In-ConversationDarren Cleary, Managing Director, Sydney Water
In-Conversation with Ticky Fullerton, CEO, ABCC

Rainfall Independent Supply & the Housing Challenges

  • Creating rainfall independent supply
  • Desalination, grey water recycling
  • The housing in the Western Precinct
  • WSAA/The UK Water Report takeouts

Panel Discussion

  • Adam Lovell, Executive Director, Water Services Association of Australia
  • Professor Stuart Khan, Professor and Head of School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney

Managing Scarcity: Supply, Demand & Social Licence

  • Scarcity of good water in both UK and Australia
  • Managing supply and demand
  • What the customer wants
  • Optimising sustainability for Data Centres
  • Social Licence

Panel Discussion

  • Zahra Anver, Director, Urban Water Strategy, Policy and Programs Water Group, DCCEEW NSW
  • Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation, Northumbrian Water Group

Tickets

Individual Ticket

Member: $75

Non Member: $105

Package of 3 Tickets

Member: $205

Non Member: $280

Darren Cleary

Managing Director - Sydney Water

Darren Cleary

Managing Director

Darren is a respected leader in the Australian water industry with extensive experience in strategic planning, infrastructure delivery, and regulatory engagement. He joined Sydney Water after serving as Managing Director of Hunter Water from 2020 to 2025, where he led major initiatives to strengthen water security and resilience for the Hunter region.

During his tenure at Hunter Water, Darren oversaw the development and implementation of a culture and strategy led by customer and community values, development of the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan and commenced construction of the Belmont Desalination Plant, the region’s first new water source in 30 years.

Darren is passionate about fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusion, empowering teams to deliver sustainable solutions that meet the needs of customers and communities. His leadership is focused on creating value through strategic partnerships and forward-thinking initiatives.

Darren is Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) with Honours from the University of NSW and a Masters of Engineering Management from the University of Technology Sydney.

Darren is currently a director of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA). He is also a former member of the Advisory Board for the Newcastle Institute of Energy and Resources and a former Director of the Committee for the Hunter.
https://kpmg.com/au/en.html