Melbourne, Victoria - Spiire

Participant Profiles
and
Contact Details

Barwon Water (Geelong, Victoria)
61-67 Ryrie Street , Geelong, VIC 3220
AUSTRALIA www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au
Nicole Sexton Strategic Planner (Integrated Water Cycle Management)
T +61 3 5226 2362 E Nicole.Sexton@barwonwater.vic.gov.au
I have fourteen years experience working in the environment and sustainability areas within the water
industry. I have a Bachelor of Aquatic Science majoring in both Chemistry and Biology and experience
in various areas of environmental monitoring and improvement including working as a laboratory
technician, Community Environment Officer, Water Conservation Planner and most recently as a
Greenhouse and Social Planner and Strategic Planner (Integrated Water Cycle Management). Major
projects I have implemented include involvement in the development of Geelong’s first Water
Sensitive development Sharland Park and project managing the construction of an Ecological
Sustainable Designed (ESD) home Sharland Oasis. I spent a number of years implementing Barwon
Water’s Water Resources Development Plan (WRDP) in 2003 which was then updated to become
Barwon Water’s Water Supply Demand Strategy. I have worked with key industry groups and councils
to develop water management plans aimed at reducing water consumption across the region and this
involved investigating and implementing a number of alternative water source projects. In my role as
Greenhouse Planner I have led the organisation’s corporate commitment to reducing its greenhouse
gas emissions and am currently focused on developing a policy and framework for Barwon Water’s
role in IWCM for the region. I have a Certificate IV in Facilitation and a Diploma in Project
Management.
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City of Port Phillip (Melbourne, Victoria)
Private Bag 3, St Kilda, VIC 3182
AUSTRALIA www.portphillip.vic.gov.au
Sam Innes Senior Water Cycle Management Officer
T +61 3 9209-6382 E sinnes@portphillip.vic.gov.au
I have a bachelor of Environmental Science (Hons) and have been involved in the water industry in
various roles for over six years. My current role as Senior Water Cycle Management Officer at the
City of Port Phillip (CoPP) is to facilitate CoPP’s activities around integrated water cycle
management. This includes a range of responsibilities including capacity building, policy
development and technical assistance with all aspects of the capital works and maintenance cycle.
During my career I have been involved in natural water course rehabilitation, community
engagement, planning assessment, precinct, lot and street scale WSUD, stormwater compliance,
policy and a range of duties and projects associated with being the WSUD champion in a local
government context.
City of Melbourne (Melbourne, Victoria)
GPO Box 1603, Melbourne, VIC 3001
AUSTRALIA www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Ralf Pfleiderer Water Sensitive Urban Design Co-ordinator
T +61 3 9658 8663 E Ralf.Pfleiderer@melbourne.vic.gov.au
I received a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) with Honours at RMIT University in 2001, where I
became very interested in water treatment, reuse, recycling and water efficiency. I have developed
my knowledge and expertise in this field over the last ten years through my work with council,
contractors and in retail.
In my current position as WSUD Coordinator at the City of Melbourne I have been involved in the
development of several major policies including, Total Watermark -City as a Catchment, City of
Melbourne’s WSUD Guidelines, and the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
I have been influential in developing several major stormwater harvesting projects that utilize
technology that is a first of their kind. These projects have attracted funding from both State and
Federal Governments and are currently in various stages of design and construction.
I have also established a WSUD practitioners group consisting of representatives from inner
metropolitan councils and Melbourne Water who meet bi-monthly.
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City West Water (Melbourne, Victoria)
Locked Bag 350, Sunshine Victoria 3020
AUSTRALIA www.citywestwater.com.au
Guilliano Andy Water Innovation Engineer
T +61 3 9313 8755 E gandy@citywestwater.com.au
I have over 7 years of experience in the field of environmental and water management. In my
current role at City West Water I worked with a wide range of customers and developed several
business cases on integrated water projects. This includes collaborating with local municipalities to
secure government funding and developing innovative business partnership models. Through these
projects, I started valuing more the importance of stakeholders collaboration in successfully
achieving truly integrated water communities and have become passionately driven by the
associated challenges.
Previously I worked with the Victorian Environmental Protection Authority where I was involved in
enforcing and managing compliance of the state environmental policies. My first job was with
GWMWater as a Water and Wastewater Quality Coordinator where I learnt first hand the operation
and process rectification of water and wastewater treatment plants.
I have postgraduate and undergraduate qualifications in Environmental Engineering.
Angela Ganley Water Innovation Engineer
T +61 3 9313 8407 E aganley@citywestwater.com.au
I currently work for City West Water as a Water Innovation Engineer, working on the West Werribee
Dual Supply Scheme to supply recycled water to approximately 19,000 homes and irrigation for
parks, sporting ovals and a racecourse.
My previous role at City West Water was to help business customers reduce their water use and
improve the quality of their wastewater. That role specifically involved working with a customer
base to develop their water management plans. Through this work I promoted water efficiency and
conservation projects to customers and provided resources to enable businesses to implement and
monitor water saving projects.
I have a chemical engineering degree and am currently studying for a Master of Environment.
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CPG Australia Pty Ltd (Bendigo, Victoria)
16 Bridge Street, Bendigo, VIC 3550
AUSTRALIA www.cpg-global.com
Tim Buykx Senior Associate Landscape Architect
M +61 437 927 216 E Tim.Buykx@au.cpg-global.com
T +61 3 5448 2500
I have practiced in all facets of landscape and urban design for 15 years. My qualifications are in
Landscape Architecture and project management. My experience includes practising in rural
communities, regional cities and major cities. Projects have included regional landscape and urban
design projects, townscape improvements, community capacity building, urban development
projects of national standing and international infrastructure and tourism precincts. My career has
included a combination of consultancy and local government roles. I am an active member of the
local community, the AILA and have prepared/presented multiple conference papers and journal
articles.
I have a broad range of professional experience, including both government and private practice,
gained in both metropolitan and rural/regional Australia. I am able to adapt to new situations and
communicate well with a wide range of people. This flexibility, my technical knowledge and my
experience makes me well suited to a group study tour. As a landscape architect I am an experienced
facilitator and technician. I am able to draw together the technical aspects of other professions,
while being mindful of the surrounding strategic, community and political issues. This allows me to
effectively liaise between the more technical professions and those who may be community or
policy based.
My experience in applying best-practice water management includes large scale master planning
such as Casey Fields Recreation complex (SV award 2004) and the Bendigo Botanic Gardens (AILA
award 2010, PLA Vic Award 2011), through to detailed construction projects using WSUD and water
harvesting as key components (Glenroy Neighborhood House, Hargreaves Mall – Bendigo). My
current projects include the two largest ever residential projects in Bendigo, both of which will
include significant aspects of WSUD and riparian rehabilitation.
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GHD Australia Pty Ltd (Melbourne, Victoria)
180 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
AUSTRALIA www.ghd.com
Nick Andrewes Environmental Engineer
Waterways & Stormwater Service Group
T +61 3 8687 8000 E nick.andrewes@ghd.com
I am a team member and project manager in the Integrated Stormwater Management Team at GHD
in Melbourne. I have an Environmental Engineering degree with Honours and a Bachelor of Science
Degree with a major in Meteorology from the University of Melbourne.
Since joining GHD in 2008 I have been involved in a variety of water projects including urban flood
mapping studies, flood mitigation projects and hydraulic assessments, conceptual drainage
strategies, integrated water management (IWM) strategies and water sensitive urban designs
(WSUD). Recent projects have included developing integrated water management strategies for
central activity districts in Melbourne, developing a detailed design for a stormwater harvesting,
treatment and flood mitigation scheme, and using a rain-on-grid 2D hydrodynamic model to
investigate the use of WSUD to mitigate flooding in large rainfall events.
Aside from my work I have always had a passion for understanding the natural world. This interest
has taken me to many exotic places and lead to a 20 year involvement with the Field Naturalists Club
of Victoria. For me the development of sustainable cities through the use of integrated water
management and its embodiment of water sensitive urban design is a nexus for my engineering skills
and passion.
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Melbourne Water (Melbourne, Victoria)
PO Box 4342, Melbourne, VIC 3001
AUSTRALIA www.melbournewater.com.au
Christine Hughes Team Leader – Environmental Flows
M +61 417 342 821 E christine.hughes@melbournewater.com.au
Christine Hughes has a degree in Civil Engineering (Hons) from Monash University, Australia, and over
ten years experience in the water industry at Melbourne Water. She has experience in water supply
planning, including hydrologic modelling, drought planning, and was involved in the development of
the Water Resources Strategy for Melbourne in 2002. She spent two years seconded to the then CRC
for Catchment Hydrology developing a whole of catchment model of the Yarra River basin, Victoria, to
identify catchment generated pollutant hotspots. After moving to the Waterways group, Christine has
had the opportunity to work in the area where her true passion lies - Environmental Flows. In this role,
she has developed a sound knowledge of flow dependent environmental values, the flows that sustain
them, and the political context of recovering and delivering water for the environment. Christine now
manages the Environmental Flows team, and has recently extended the focus of the team to address
emerging issues such as groundwater management and the links between traditional environmental
flow management from a surface water perspective, groundwater, recycled water and the urban
influence on flows.
Jake Moore Area Leader – West Waterways Alliance
M +61 438 513 835 E Jake.Moore@melbournewater.com.au
I have a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and Diploma of Project Management. I have been
working at Melbourne Water for ten years. During this time I have been in a range of roles and
involved in a range of projects relating to stormwater quality and river health improvement,
stormwater reuse, infrastructure/development planning and flooding. I have good technical and
practical knowledge in these areas with involvement in the research, planning, design and
construction phases.
WSUD was at its early stages when I began at Melbourne Water and it has been exciting seeing and
being part of the industry change over this time. This has given me great insight into the technical,
institutional and community challenges that may be faced as we take the next steps towards a water
sensitive city.
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Hannah Pexton Team Leader – River Health (West)
M +61 419 877010 E Hannah.Pexton@melbournewater.com.au
I have been working in the area of water resource management for over 8 years in the UK and
Australia, in roles from both a strategic/policy and operational perspective. The last 6 years has
been spent at Melbourne Water in roles relating to river health and water quality. Prior to my work
in Australia, I worked for the UK Environment Agency in water resources officer, as a policy officer
implementing the newly-developed EU Water Framework Directive into the UK, and in local
government Environmental Health unit focusing on contaminated land and water. I have an MSc in
Aquatic Resource Management and a BSc in Geography, and a passion for playing a role in how
waterways are an integral part of an integrated water future, and the change required for that to
occur at the institutional, behavioural and technological levels.
SA Water (Adelaide, South Australia)
250 Victoria Square, Adelaide, SA 5000
AUSTRALIA www.sawater.com.au
Greg Ingleton Principal EIA Advisor – Recycled Water
T +61 8 7424 2429 E greg.ingleton@sawater.com.au
I have worked in SA Water in three main roles over a nine year period. My first role was catchment
management, with my second role being the leading advisor for raw water quality for South
Australia. My third role involves all aspects of environmental and water quality requirements for
alternative water schemes, as well as working with researchers and senior SA Water staff on ideas
and opportunities for increased use of alternative water sources. I am also involved in projects such
as the use of recycled water to mitigate against urban heat island impacts, planning for a future city
in Adelaide, and advising on practical implications of WSUD and how it can be incorporated into our
operations. My main strength is the ability to look at the big picture, taking a holistic approach to
investigations and optioneering. I had 15 years of agricultural experience prior to completing my
Honours degree in Environmental Science, so have a good grounding in practical solutions. I am also
working closely with the SA EPA to contour policy development in relation to stormwater harvesting
and recycled water use. My ability to understand technical details and the integration with planning
and policy has been instrumental in many of my achievements in SA Water, such as the approval to
construct and operate Australia's first large scale recycled water MAR scheme.
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Sydney Water (Sydney, New South Wales)
Level 10, 1 Smith St Parramatta, NSW 2150
PO Box 399, Parramatta, NSW 2124
AUSTRALIA www.sydneywater.com.au
Django Seccombe Technical Advisor, Strategic Directions, Sustainability
T +61 2 8849 6326 E django.seccombe@sydneywater.com.au
I have B. Eng. (Environmental) (Hons) from Newcastle University, with 6 years professional
experience across the water industry. I spent the first year of my career with NSW Department of
Commerce - Water Solutions branch, where my role included hydraulic modelling and design of both
potable and recycled water networks. I subsequently spent 18 months with Black and Veatch (Water
Europe branch) in the UK, where I spent time with both Thames Water and Anglian Water alliances.
My projects covered water supply strategy, water treatment planning, and design and
implementation of nutrient removal/management solutions. From 2009 until present, I have been
employed by Sydney Water in a technical role providing strategic planning advice for water and
wastewater servicing solutions.
I combine strong analytical skills with strong environmental values. I have ambition to provide the
best outcomes for the community both in the short and long term, and one that is constantly
checked against the economic and technical challenges of managing water in a sustainable way. I am
passionate and excited for what the future can hold if decision makers have the right information.
Sally Rewell Production Officer, Rouse Hill Water Recycling Plant
T +61 2 9629 0345 E sally.rewell@sydneywater.com.au
I graduated from the University of Sydney at the end of 2009, with a Bachelor of Chemical
Engineering (Honours). My interest in the water industry began as a student, and led me to
complete my student engineering placement at John Holland Water. Upon graduation, I was
selected to join Sydney Water on their Graduate Program in January 2010.
My first year as a graduate, I worked in Sydney Water’s Policy, Standards and Materials group. Over
the year, I worked on a number of different projects, including developing the Sydney Water
Chemical Dosing Unit and Odour Control Unit Standard Specifications, and conducting Product
Assessments on newly developed technologies as alternatives to the current materials used. My
time in this placement gave me exposure to the ideas and innovative technologies that are required
to deliver sustainable long term water management.
In January 2011, I began my second placement at Sydney Water, working as a Production Officer at
Rouse Hill Water Recycling Plant. In November 2011, a permanent position became available at
Rouse Hill and I was successful at being appointed as a Production Officer Level C. Rouse Hill is
Australia’s largest water recycling plant and delivers recycled water to the residents in the north-
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west growth area of Sydney. I am currently working on projects to increase plant efficiency,
including reducing and optimising the dosing chemical consumption on the plant, and adapting
better operating practices to reduce plant failures.
In addition to my career at Sydney Water, I am actively involved in a number of professional
associations. In 2010, I was appointed Chair of the Sydney Water Graduate Committee, and in 2011,
I was elected as the Chair of the Australian Water Associations (AWA) NSW Young Water
Professionals (YWP). I am also a contributor to the AWA magazine “Newsdrop”, and am on the
Ozwater ’12 YWP events organising committee.
Unitywater (Brisbane, Queensland)
PO Box 953, Caboolture QLD 4510
AUSTRALIA www.unitywater.com
Daniel Muir Technical Engineer
Infrastructure Services Division
T +61 7 3385 2217 E Daniel.Muir@unitywater.com
Over eight years I have worked in various roles within local government and water authorities in two
states, and have experience working in residential development, project management, construction,
operations and maintenance.
I currently lead multiple teams with a total of 90 staff, and have done so throughout significant
reform of the water industry in South East Queensland.
My experience in both the development and design, and operations and maintenance phases of
water and sewerage infrastructure gives me an appreciation of the difficulties faced when getting
projects off the ground and the ongoing operations and maintenance issues associated with new
technologies.
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Water Corporation (Perth, Western Australia)
629 Newcastle Street , Leederville, WA 6007
AUSTRALIA www.watercorporation.com.au
Elise Paskett Project Manager
T +61 8 9420 3480 E elise.paskett@watercorporation.com.au
M +61 429 999 710
Improving customer knowledge about water efficiency is the key focus for Elise Paskett who works
as a Project Manager for the Water Corporation of Western Australia. Her role includes designing
and managing large-scale water efficiency programs for customers across Western Australia. The
aim of these programs is to reduce water use and educate the community about the need to use
water efficiently
During my 3 years as Project Manager I’ve had the opportunity to become involved in various
aspects of water service delivery including system and capacity planning, community engagement
and industry development. I am keen to broaden my experience in to other areas of water service
delivery including sustainable system development.
Western Water (Melbourne, Victoria)
36 Macedon Street , Sunbury, VIC 3429
AUSTRALIA www.westernwater.com.au
Robert Belcher Manager Capital Planning and Investments
T +61 3 9218 5467 E Robert.Belcher@westernwater.com.au
I have recently been appointed as the Manager of Capital Planning and Investments at Western
Water. This team is responsible for planning and delivering Western Water’s capital budget which is
increasing $70M per year. Our team also services the development industry. I spent 5 years in this
team as a Project Manager delivering a number of sewer, water and recycled water projects. I am a
Civil Engineer and spend a number of years at a small consultancy at the beginning of my career
carrying a detailed design work. My interest in Integrated Water Management includes delivering a
number of projects related to the provision of Class A Recycled Water to developments in our
growing region. Our team is also leading a project looking at capturing, treating and re-using
stormwater runoff from developments to reduce potable water demands. Our region is experiencing
high growth in the coming years and my role will be focused on delivering the infrastructure to meet
the growth.
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Wyndham City (Melbourne, Victoria)
45 Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC 3030
AUSTRALIA www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
Zinta Lazdins Landscape Architect
T +61 3 8734 5415 E zinta.lazdins@wyndham.vic.gov.au
Since completing a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Melbourne in 2003, I
have gained 8 years experience in master planning, design and construction of landscape projects. I
am also a Registered Landscape Architect with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
(AILA). During the first five years of my career, I worked in the private sector, and the last three
years I have been working in local government at Wyndham City Council. Over the last 4 years, I
have developed an interested in WSUD initially through project work with developers. Moving into
local government my interest has grown as a result of various internal and external challenges.
In my role as a Landscape Architect at Wyndham City, west of Melbourne, I have been nominated
to become a ‘champion’ for WSUD within the Landscape and Urban Design unit to promote and
incorporate WSUD treatment into projects across Council. As a part of this role have commenced a
long-term process to change the perception that WSUD is costly, and traditional engineering
methods are proven and therefore better. I have also become involved in driving a review of
Council’s various water policies and encouraging a cross-disciplinary approach.
Yarra Valley Water (Melbourne, Victoria)
Lucknow Street, Mitcham, VIC 3132
AUSTRALIA www.yvw.com.au
Brant Mitchell Project Manager
T +61 438 095 423 E Brant.Mitchell@yvw.com.au
I have degrees in Civil Engineering and Science (Physics) and have worked at Yarra Valley for the past
seven years in a variety of roles covering the planning, design and construction phases of numerous
projects. I spent two years working in the planning department, primarily developing servicing
strategies for Greenfield developments. This work included assessing alternative servicing strategies
and using MCA analysis to select preferred strategies.
I have spent twelve months on secondment with MWH, working in the design team. I gained
experience in the design of sewage, water and recycled water assets.
For the past three years I have worked in the Asset Creation division, managing the design and
construction of water and sewage assets. More recently I have been managing the design and
construction of two recycled water treatment plants, treating sewage to recycled water that will be
supplied to housing in both Greenfield and Brownfield developments.
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