Water security for rural, regional, and remote communities will take centre stage at the 2026 Water Management Conference being hosted by Local Government NSW in Ballina from 2-4 September.
The gathering comes as councils face growing challenges keeping essential water and sewer services reliable, safe and affordable.
Mayor Darcy Byrne, President of LGNSW, said the conference would focus on the increasing pressures put on Local Water Utilities, including ageing infrastructure, climate extremes, population growth and evolving water quality challenges.
‘Council-owned water utilities serve almost two million people across NSW,’ said Mayor Byrne.
‘Without appropriate funding and support to deliver this basic service, we’re going to start seeing increasing disruption to safe drinking water and sewer services for those communities.
‘Safe drinking water is not optional – it’s a basic human right, and it should never depend on your postcode,’ he said.
‘This conference brings together the people who plan, operate and manage one of the most essential services in rural and regional NSW. It’s an opportunity to share ideas, tackle common challenges and prepare for the future.’
Local water, shared responsibility
Hosted by Ballina Shire Council, with support from Rous County Council, this year’s conference theme is Local Water, Shared Responsibility.
The program will focus on water security, sustainable funding, climate resilience, water quality, and emerging technologies. Rose Jackson MLC, Minister for Water, and Steph Cooke MP, Shadow Minister for Water, will also address the conference.
Ballina Shire Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Cadwallader said the council was honoured to host the event.
‘This event is an opportunity to highlight the important role Local Government plays in delivering safe, sustainable and affordable water services, and to share how councils are shaping resilient futures for their communities,’ Cr Cadwallader said.
‘We are equally delighted to welcome delegates to the Ballina Coast and Hinterland, where they will experience not only a world-class conference but also the natural beauty and warm hospitality of our community. It is a wonderful chance to showcase our region to visitors from across the state,’ she said.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
