Australian Water Association, Media Release, 8 August 2022
Australian Water Association (AWA) and Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) are excited to present the first-ever Voices for the Bush Conference at the Alice Springs Convention Centre this week on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 August.
The conference will bring together over 200 water professionals from across Australia to the country’s heart. Together they will resolve the challenges faced by regional, rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
It will receive attention from the Federal Government, with a virtual message provided by the Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, and an address from Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health.
There will also be keynote addresses from Patricia Turner AM, the CEO of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, and Dr Phil Duncan, traditional owner Gomeroi, Kamilaroi, Gamilaroi Nation.
Australian Water Association CEO Corinne Cheeseman said the strong demand for conference attendance highlighted the importance of its themes and goals.
“There is so much enthusiasm for this inaugural event, and it’s really heartening to see people who work right across water management coming together to have their say on a shared vision for a sustainable water future,” Cheeseman said.
“Demand has been so overwhelming that we’ve now established an online conference live stream, so that those from around Australia who couldn’t make it to Alice Springs can watch the proceedings and hear the discussion about some of the key issues in water management in the regions.”
Ms Cheeseman said she was particularly pleased to see the involvement of the Government Ministers.
“It’s heartening to see the participation of Ministers McCarthy and Plibersek, and the Association is looking forward to working with the Government to set out a path forward in confronting the unique challenges of water management in regional, rural and remote Australia.”
