Franc.2026 Keynotes and Panellists
We are deligted to announce the first of our speakers for franc.2026. Click on the listings below for more information on each speaker.
More announcements coming soon.
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.
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.
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.
Phillip Birtles is an Integrated Water Cycle Manager at Sydney Water, focused on driving real change in how cities think about and work with water. He leads strategy for major growth areas including the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, shaping bold approaches to stormwater, recycled water and integrated servicing. Over a career spanning government, utilities and catchment management, Phillip has consistently pushed for a more connected approach—linking water, ecology and urban form.
Tim Fletcher is a Professor of Urban Ecohydrology at the University of Melbourne, based within the Waterway Ecosystem Research Group. He is internationally regarded for his expertise in waterway and stormwater management. His research focus includes urban hydrology, stormwater quality and the design and performance of stormwater treatment and harvesting systems. Tim co-leads the Melbourne Waterway Research Practice Partnership between Melbourne Water and the University of Melbourne. In 2011 received an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship and in 2023 was awarded an ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship, working in partnership with Melbourne Water.
Alice Lisitsa is a Chartered Engineer with 17+ years’ experience in water engineering and hydrology and the proud Founder and Director of Floodplan, a Melbourne-based flooding and stormwater consultancy. She holds postgraduate qualifications in biofiltration and Water Sensitive Urban Design.
Alice’s expertise spans flood impact assessment, hydraulic and hydrological modelling, stormwater management planning, WSUD design, and independent peer review. She has led flooding teams on major infrastructure programs including MRPV and LXRP, and delivered projects across land development and urban growth throughout Victoria and nationally.
As President of Stormwater Australia and former president of Stormwater Victoria, Alice is a passionate advocate for the sector. Across these roles she leads national and state-level policy and advocacy, champions stronger industry standards, and represents the profession to government and the wider water community. She is a strong voice for collaboration, mentoring, and practical, on-the-ground change needed to advance stormwater, waterway and catchment management across Australia.
Dr. Kefeng Zhang is a Senior Lecturer at the Water Research Centre, UNSW Sydney. He is a dedicated researcher specializing in stormwater management and the application of nature-based solutions (NBS) such as bioretention systems, wetlands, and green walls for urban water treatment. His expertise includes assessing pollution and risks associated with stormwater, greywater, and pre-treated wastewater, and applying NBS to effectively mitigate these risks. He also investigates nutrient dynamics and the fate of emerging contaminants in these systems. His research has developed frameworks for quantifying, controlling, and monitoring risks in stormwater harvesting systems, with a focus on real-time monitoring, smart control, and risk-based management of nature-based stormwater systems.
He is committed to interdisciplinary research, exploring the social, health, and urban cooling benefits of NBS. Through his work, he aims to promote the safe implementation of stormwater harvesting and water recycling, while advocating for the broader adoption of nature-based systems for water treatment. Dr. Zhang serves as an Associate Editor for Water Research (top 1% in Water Science and Technology) and as the Managing Editor of the rapidly growing journal Blue-Green Systems.
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
Stormwater NSW
in Partnership with
ACT Government
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
