From July 22-23, 2019, the SWAN APAC Alliance held its first Workshop in Noosa Heads, Australia co-hosted by Unitywater, which drew over 130 attendees. Day 1 featured expert utility and industry speakers, an interactive roundtable session, and drinks reception. Day 2 included study tours at Unitywater and Queensland Urban Utilities. View the Workshop photos, recap, and presentations below.

Workshop Agenda

MC: Ray Aspey, Corporate Development Manager – Unitywater

Welcome to Country

Helena Gulash – Kabi Kabi Traditional Owner

Keynote

Towards the Digital Water Utility: The Role of intelligent Metering and Big Data Informatics 
Dr. Cara Beal, Senior Research Fellow – Cities Research Institute, & Senior Lecturer – Griffith University

Panel 1: Leveraging Data-Driven Insights to Improve the APAC Water Customer Experience
Moderator: Neil Brennan, CEO – Seqwater

Panelists:

Customers driving the data and insight to shape the customer experience
Lucia Cade, Chair – South East Water

A Smart Water Network for Brisbane CBD
Howard Witten, General Manager, Network Management – Queensland Urban Utilities

Enhancing Customer Experience through Smart Technology
Glen Carter, Manager Network Intelligence – Yarra Valley Water

Customer Hub and IoT
Darren Cash, Customer Hub Manager – Sydney Water

Panel 2: Demonstrating the Business Case for APAC Smart Water/ Wastewater Solutions
Moderator: John Quinn, Managing Director – Taggle Systems Pty Ltd

Panelists:

Demonstrating the Business Case for APAC Smart Water/Wastewater
Jennifer Rebeiro, CIO – City West Water

Transformation and Positive ROI
Craig Perkins, Coordinator Network Modelling – City of Gold Coast & Udi Geismar, VP Customer Success – TaKaDu

It’s Not Hard to Monitor your Remote Assets
Stephen Coward, Regional Manager (QLD & NT) – Metasphere

Digital Water Utility Maturity Framework – Assessing Your Smart Water Journey
Ken Thompson, Senior Technology Fellow – Jacobs & Chairman – SWAN Forum

Interactive Roundtable Session

What are the best ways to promote a data-driven organisation? (e.g. data science culture, data self-service, AI, change management)
Peter Prevos, Manager Data Science – Coliban Water

How can we develop a smart sewer system for future smart cities?
Dr. Guangming Jiang, Senior Lecturer – University of Wollongong

How can data science and technology to improve our understanding of water use and demand patterns in our networks?
David Hughes-Owen, Manager Asset Investment Planning (Metro) – Water Corporation

What are the most effective Control Room strategies to maximise the benefits of a digital water network?
Martine Watson, Manager, Network Operations – Unitywater

How can we overcome human resistance to achieve digital outcomes?
Ben Steel, Customer Experience & Business Performance Program Leader – Logan City Council

How can we develop and use virtual reality in service locations? 
David Heape, Principal Wastewater Engineer – Redland City Council

How can the democratisation of information lead to improved business and customer outcomes and attract targeted funding?
Nick Brown, Regional Planning Manager, Healthy Waters – Auckland Council

With increasing technology options and available tools, how can water utilities best collaborate and prioritise opportunities?
Luke Hellowell, Manager Operational Technology and Energy – Seqwater

Panel 3: Enhancing Asset Management through Digital Twins, Robotics, and
Advanced Data Analytics
Moderator: Alex Ung, General Manager – RedEye Apps

Panelists:

Deep Learning for Visual Inspection Reviews
Michelle Aguilar, CTO – VAPAR

Decision Intelligence
Roberto Mascarenhas, Business Development Manager – Xylem

Enhancing Asset Management through Digital Twins, Robotics, and Advanced Data Analytics
Paul Banfield, Segment Director – Water & WasteWater – AVEVA

Digital Twins: Temporal Considerations
Toby Bourke, Vice President, Asia Pacific – Innovyze 

Panel 4: Modernising APAC Water Systems Now and in 2050
Moderator: David Cameron, CEO – Queensland Water Directorate

Panelists:

George Theo, CEO – Unitywater & Chairman – SWAN APAC Alliance

Kristian Steenstrup, Distinguished VP, Analyst & Fellow – Gartner

Sean Cohen, Senior Manager, Smart Water – SUEZ Water

Ashley Massie, National Operations Manager – Alliance Automation

Workshop Closing

Amir Cahn, Executive Director – SWAN Forum

Thank you to all our Sponsors!

Host

Partner

Sponsors