Australia’s water management skills promoted at G’Day USA
Austrade media release
19 January 2011
Australian expertise in water conservation, management, policy and product development will be showcased as part of G’Day USA: Australia Week during a three-day water forum and national water tour of the US from 19 -31 January.
The ‘Australia-USA Water Series Forum and Industry Mission’ organised by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) consists of 20 decision makers from the US and Australian governments, as well as industry and research organisations, who will participate in events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Denver, Houston and Washington DC (see details below).
Austrade‟s Regional Director for the Americas, Grame Barty, said there are many similarities in the water management issues being faced by Australia and the United States with growing recognition of Australian leadership and capability in water management.
“The Water Series Forum will provide an insight into how Australia has responded to reduced rainfall and water scarcity issues, as the US looks to address its own social, environmental and economic security challenges related to water shortages,” Mr Barty said.
“As a result of the recent extensive flooding in eastern Australia, the Forum will also discuss how Australia is dealing with the floods.
“Like Australia, the US has experienced the extremes of droughts and floods. This two-week initiative will also demonstrate Australian expertise in urban and rural water security, research and development, sustainable management, governance and policy, to identify shared challenges, opportunities and responses.
“This is the second year Australian water capabilities are being profiled at G’Day USA. This event builds on Austrade‟s initiatives over the past two years to assist in the development of a long-term Australian water technology and services export industry.
“Our aim is to assist in building deeper links and networks with government, research and business because water resource management is so critical for the sizable, increasing population in the US.
“There are tremendous opportunities for Australia, with Australian companies already supplying the United States market with a wide array of high quality products and services including smart water sensors, grey water recycling systems, dual flush toilets and water optimisation software.
“We have been overwhelmed by the level of interest in this event and 17 Australian companies will be showcasing their products and services,” Mr Barty said.
The participating companies exhibiting their products at the conference are: ACT-based eWATER CRC Nexus eWater; NSW-based Bio-Gill, Detection Services, One Water Naturally, SKM, STAR War Solutions, UGL Infrastructure and Worley Parsons; Queensland-based Perfectflow Technology; South Australian-based Baleen Filters, Optimatics and Windesal; Victorian-based Rubicon and savewater! Alliance; and Western Australian-based Protean Energy and GHD Group.
“With the US experiencing similar conditions, it is looking to find solutions to ensure water supplies to sustain key industries such as agriculture as well as providing water security for its large urban populations,” Mr Barty said.
The USA Water Series Forum is targeted at urban water management specialists, researchers and industry innovators, policy makers and senior water industry business leaders from the US and Australia. It aims to foster greater collaboration and two way trade and investment between both countries.
Austrade has a network devoted to the US market, providing extensive support for Australian exporters and assisting US companies to invest into Australia.
G’Day USA represents the first time that Australia‟s new international brand identity 'Australia Unlimited' has been promoted in the USA.
G’Day USA - Australia Week 2011 is a unique collaboration between the Australian Government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Trade Commission and Tourism Australia), Qantas Airways and five Australian State governments (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria), with strong support from business, universities and the arts community.
USA Water Tour Details & Participants
- 19-21 January: Water Forum: Urban Water Management – Los Angeles
- 25 January: Water Series Tour: New Technology & Innovation – San Francisco
- 26 January: Water Series Tour: Environment and Agriculture – Sacramento
- 27 January: Water Series Tour: River Systems Management – Denver
- 28 January: Water Series Tour: Energy and Water - Houston
- 31 January: Water Series Tour: Australia/World Bank Water Forum – Washington
For further information on the US Water tour or other events being held during Australia week, visit: www.australia-week.com.
ENDS
Media contact
Sarkis Khoury
Austrade Senior Media Adviser
Tel: 02 9392 2118
Mob: 0414 401 072