FMA Conference Roundup

Another FMA Conference has come and gone and to all of those who attended, thank you and we miss you already. The FMA Conference is a melting pot of experts and professionals from the flood realm and it so inspiring to see each of our delegates engaging with new ideas, innovations and connections.
 

The FMA Conference was held from the 14-17 May at the prestigious Hotel Realm, and provided our attendees with a cosy escape from the chilly Canberra weather. Highlights of the week included the very well received ARR Workshop Course on Monday, in-depth Pre-Conference Workshops on Tuesday, the most entertaining Welcome to Country we’ve had on Wednesday, the FMA AGM on Thursday (have you still got your voting card?) and a strong reliance on the Cardno Coffee Cart on Friday morning thanks to the Gala Dinner late on the night before.
 

This year’s Conference provided plenty of opportunities for informal and formal discussions, including the Councillors’ Choice Breakfast Session and the Panel of National Experts.
 

The Councillors’ Breakfast, aimed at identifying issues of particular interest to Local Government, covered floodplain management definitions and concepts, and discussed a range of topics including utility vulnerability, community education, land use planning and cross boundary issues. President Ian Dinham said Councillors have vital roles in reducing community flood risk, and FMA is keen to increase the participation of Councillors at FMA Conferences.  The Councillors recommendations will be considered at the next FMA Executive Committee Meeting.
 

The National Panel built on issues raised in the State and Territory Snapshots, focussing specifically on: 

• Resilient Communities: Shared responsibilities for reducing flood risk
• Better integration of flood risk with land use planning
• Coordination and collaboration with existing national organisations.

40 minutes of energetic discussion produced a lengthy list of practical recommendations and actions for Making Australia Flood Safe, and guiding FMA’s strategic planning. Thank you to all involved in providing the State and Territory Snapshots, and participating in the Panel of Experts.
 

The Social Functions of the week were a huge success, with attendees gathering for the Welcome Reception (sponsored by NSW SES), delegates exploring the National Museum of Australia for the Casual Dinner (sponsored by WMAwater), and paying respects to the passing of Bob Hawke during the Gala Dinner at Old Parliament House (sponsored by Royal HaskoningDHV). 
 

As always with our FMA Conferences, the connections our attendees made during the week will forge new friendships and business opportunities for the year to come. We hope that you’ll continue with your FMA involvement over the next twelve months by stopping by our FMA Meetings in Brisbane and Sydney during August, and November.