Franc.2026 Conference

Be Franc and Drive Change

We are proud to announce that Stormwater NSW is partnering with the ACT Government to co-deliver franc.2026. The conference will be hosted in the Australian Capital Territory, providing an opportunity to widen our professional networks.

This conference will showcase best practice stormwater management in both the ACT and NSW, with a focus on;

  • smart stormwater - harnessing and scaling technology
  • driving change - the mandatory shifts required to advance stormwater, waterway and catchment management
  • navigating future challenges - what are the emerging threats and how will we address them? and
  • living landscapes - focusing on ecology and community.

 

In addition, the Stormwater NSW Awards for Excellence will be announced at a special event to be held during the conference, on the evening of Wednesday, 28 October.

 

Call for Abstracts is now Open!

Submit by Friday 8 May.

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Register now!

Franc.2026. is pleased to offer 3 for the price of 2 registrations to organisations sending multiple delegates. For more information visit the registration page.

Early Bird registration fees are available until Friday, 31 July 2026.

Submit an award

If you are interested in submitting an Excellence Award application, visit Awards page and download the entry kit for more information.

Awards for excellence submissions close Friday, 31 July 2026.

Franc.2026 Speakers

We are deligted to announce our keynote speakers for Franc.2026. Click on the listings below for more information on each speaker.


Opening Speaker

Fiona Wright

Executive Group Manager, Climate Change, Energy, Water and Waste division

ACT Governement

Fiona Wright is an executive leader with more than 25 years’ experience across water, energy and sustainability policy, infrastructure and service delivery.

She is currently the Executive Group Manager for Climate Change, Energy and Water in the ACT Government’s City and Environment Directorate, where she oversees the Office of Water and leads work to protect and enhance the Territory’s water resources, improve urban water management, and integrate water into broader climate and city-shaping decisions.

Fiona began her career at ACT Electricity and Water, applying her electrical engineering skills in water and wastewater operations as a graduate engineer, and has remained closely connected to the sector ever since. At the Commonwealth level, she worked on Murray–Darling Basin reforms, delivering major infrastructure and water efficiency programs.

Across her roles, she has contributed to policies and programs that ensure essential services—including water—are reliable, sustainable and fit for the future.

Keynote Speaker

Prof. Tony Wong

Profesor of Sustainable Development

Monash Sustainable Development Insitute

Tony Wong is Professor of Sustainable Development at Monash University. A civil engineer with a PhD in Water Engineering and over 40 years’ experience, he is internationally recognised for pioneering Water Sensitive Urban Design and advancing cities’ transition to Water Sensitive Cities. His work has reshaped urban water management by integrating nature-based solutions, socio-technical innovation and design-led thinking, while bridging academia, industry and government.

He founded and led major research centres, including the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, a nine-year, $120 million initiative with over 80 partner organisations. In 2016, he co-developed the RISE program, linking water-sensitive approaches with public health to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in informal settlements across the Asia-Pacific. He was Engineers Australia’s 2010 Civil Engineer of the Year and was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 2014, In 2018 he received International Water Association Global Water Award.


Keynote Speaker

Dr André Taylor

Leadership

Specialist & Adjunct Associate Professor

International WaterCentre, Griffith University

André Taylor is a leadership development specialist and coach who designs and facilitates customised programs and courses for emerging and executive leaders. He primarily works with leaders from the water sector, sustainability leaders, and

executive business leaders.

Each year he has the pleasure of working closely with cohorts of water leaders in Australia and overseas who are completing leadership programs and courses to strengthen their capacity to drive positive change.

André began his career working as a water quality scientist within organisations such as Brisbane City Council and the CRC for Catchment Hydrology. In the mid-2000s he chose to specialise in institutional capacity building and leadership development as mechanisms to drive more sustainable practices in the water sector. This led him to complete a midcareer PhD in leadership and leadership development at Monash University. After completing his studies in 2010, he joined the International WaterCentre to build and facilitate research-based leadership programs for water leaders such as the award-winning IWC Water Leadership Program which now has 386 Fellows.


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What is Franc?  

Franc is dedicated to being future-focused and fostering resilient, networked communities to tackle the complex environmental and social challenges ahead. Stormwater management, urban waterways, marine environments, land-use planning, human health, biodiversity, and climate change are all interconnected, yet they are often managed in isolation. This separation is understandable, as addressing them together presents complex social, economic, and technical challenges. However, if we are to overcome the challenges facing us, these issues must be considered in a more integrated way. 

 

Franc recognises the importance of this integrated approach and seeks to meet the challenge by fostering collaboration and mutual understanding. No single group has all the answers, so the franc community is made up of professionals, scientists, researchers, business leaders, and advocates from diverse sectors who share a commitment to systemic change. This collaborative effort aims to design resilient cities, incorporating urban water management and blue-green infrastructure to create sustainable, humane development that mitigates the environmental risks we face, such as urban expansion, pollution, and climate change. 

 

By advocating together for the necessary policy changes, franc aims to engage in inclusive conversations for a healthy and prosperous future for society. The challenges ahead are daunting, but with the franc mindset, we can achieve meaningful change. 


Venue

Bookmark location for later use

Canberra Rex Hotel

150 Northbourne Ave

Canberra ACT 2612

P: 02 6248 5311

www.canberrarexhotel.com.au

Stormwater NSW is proud to partner with the ACT Government for Franc.2026

Franc.2026 Conference | Copyright 2026 - GEMS Event Management Australia. All Rights Reserved. ABN 30 615 654 629 | Privacy Policy

Key Dates

Call for Abstracts Closes

Friday, 8 May 2026

Early Bird Registration Closes

Friday, 31 July 2026

Workshops

Tuesday 27 October 2026

Conference Dates

Wednesday 28- Thursday 29 October 2026

Technical Tour

Friday 30 October 2026

Conference Convenor

in Partnership with

Available from

Conference Secretariat

GEMS Event Management Australia

ABN 30 615 654 629

Contact us 

For all registration and accommodation inquiries call 02 9744 5252 or email registration@gemsevents.com.au