Queensland’s Sunshine Coast was happy to play host in early September to dam operators and engineers from all corners of the water industry at the 2024 ANCOLD Dam Operators Forum. And with 104 participates this year it confirmed that our ANCOLD members recognise this as a very important and worthwhile event.
It brought together professionals involved in dam safety, operations, and management and offered a platform for experts from across Australia and internationally to share knowledge, experience, and best practices. With a growing emphasis on sustainability and resilience in infrastructure, the Forum was an essential gathering for those dedicated to maintaining the safety and functionality of dams in an evolving environment.
The 2024 forum discussions focussed on addressing the emerging challenges in dam operations, particularly in the face of climate change, increasing regulatory requirements, and aging infrastructure. Topics like risk management, emergency preparedness, dam safety reviews, and innovative technologies for dam monitoring and maintenance were central to the event.
Seqwater Senior Engineer and Hydrologist Storm Stickland was this year’s forum convenor.
“It was a busy week, but great to be surrounded by like-minded people who enjoy a dam pun just as much as you,” she said. “Presentations from industry leaders and technical experts also provided valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations in the sector. “
Participants also had the opportunity to make site visits to some of the Sunshine Coast’s dams and engage in interactive workshops, where there were practical problem-solving exercises and case studies. These sessions are designed to encourage collaborative learning and exchange of ideas among operators and engineers.
One of the forum’s highlights was the forum dinner, which was a chance for attendees to relax while connecting with their industry counterparts – even more so under the careful watch of comedian / hypnotist Gerard V. Gerard V had forum participants up on their feet, and the audience laughing out loud and in his good-natured way, made the dinner guests the stars of the show!
Author: Kevin Bartlett, ANCOLD Qld State Representative
ANCOLD is an incorporated voluntary association of organisations and individual professionals with an interest in dams in Australia.
