The wait is almost over! franc.2026 is heading to the nation’s capital at the Canberra Rex Hotel from 27–30 October 2026.
Under this year’s theme, "Be Franc and Drive Change," the conference brings together urban planners, stormwater engineers, researchers, policy makers, and asset managers for four days of candid conversations, practical insights, and groundbreaking solutions for our urban water environments.
Whether you're looking to upgrade your technical modeling skills, explore regional stormwater schemes, network with leading industry experts, or inspect cutting-edge local projects on the ground, franc.2026 delivers an unmissable program.
👉 Register Now at franc-conference.com.au
📄 Download the Official franc.2026 Program PDF
What’s in Store? Program Highlights
🛠️ Day 0: Pre-Conference Technical Training & Welcome Reception (Tuesday, 27 Oct)
- MUSICX Transition Training Workshop: Led by Dr. Mukta Sapkota (eWater Group), this hands-on workshop is tailored for long-term users moving from classic MUSIC 6 to MUSICX, exploring new capabilities and interface features.
- Welcome Reception: Kick off the conference with drinks and networking hosted by Justine Barrett (CSIRO) and Murray Powell (Optimal Stormwater).
💡 Day 1: Keynotes, Smart Stormwater & "Franc.fest" (Wednesday, 28 Oct)
- Keynotes & Opening Statements: Opened by Ngunnawal Elder Stephen Mudford, Conference Chair Nerida Taylor, and Fiona Wright (ACT Government), followed by a keynote on navigating future challenges by Prof. Tony Wong (Monash University).
- Concurrent Sessions: Dive deep into topics covering Climate Change, Extreme Rainfall & Flooding, Urban Waterway Planning, Asset Management, Smart Stormwater Quality, and WSUD Policy & Guidance.
- Awards for Excellence & Franc.fest: Celebrate outstanding achievements at the Stormwater NSW Awards for Excellence, followed by our relaxed ocean-themed Franc.fest: Ocean Odyssey networking night!
🚀 Day 2: Leadership, Innovation & "You Can't Ask That!" (Thursday, 29 Oct)
- Keynotes & Panel Discussions: Dr. Andre Taylor (International Water Centre) explores leadership principles for driving positive change alongside panel experts from Wollongong City Council, Sydney Water, and Stormwater Australia.
- Cutting-Edge Breakout Tracks: Sessions span Beyond Stormwater, IoT & Digital Twins, Floodplain Risk Management, Strategic Regional Delivery (e.g., Western Sydney Aerotropolis), Neglected Pollutants (Microplastics & Detritus), and Waterway Restoration.
- "You Can't Ask That!" Session: Submit your burning, unfiltered questions through the conference app to be answered live by an expert cross-industry panel.
🚌 Day 3: Showcase of Excellence Technical Tour (Friday, 30 October)
Wrap up the conference with an immersive field tour visiting key stormwater sites across the ACT:
- Lake Tuggeranong: Examining retrofitted WSUD assets, channel naturalisation, and floating wetlands to tackle blue-green algae.
- Whitlam Greenfield Development: Exploring sustainable suburban design and WSUD efficacy from construction to long-term maintenance.
- Belconnen Oval Wetland: Looking at subsurface treatment wetlands designed to remove dissolved nutrients in urban runoff.
Secure Your Spot Today!
With exhibition spaces fully booked and early bird momentum building fast, franc.2026 is set to be our most impactful conference yet. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with peers, earn CPD hours, and help shape the future of urban water management.
👉 Click here to view registration packages and secure your tickets!
