Welcome to franc.2025

On behalf of the Conference Organising Committee, we are delighted to invite you to attend franc.2025, the official conference of Stormwater NSW.

franc.2025 will be held at the Mercure Hotel Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin, on 15–16 October 2025. The conference will feature two days of engaging presentations and speakers, a day of pre-conference workshops, and a technical tour showcasing local examples of stormwater management in the Hunter region.

The theme for franc.2025 is Building Partnerships, Finding Solutions

franc.2025 builds upon the success of previous franc conferences and will continue to provide a dynamic platform for the industry to come together, collaborate, share knowledge, and learn from each other.  It will also feature informative site visits, interactive hands-on workshops, and an expo showcasing state-of-the-art technologies in stormwater management. knowledge-sharing format.

What is franc?

Franc is dedicated to being future-focused and fostering resilient, networked communities to tackle the complex environmental and social challenges ahead. Issues like stormwater management, urban waterways, marine environments, urban development, human health, biodiversity, and climate change are all interconnected, yet they are often treated in isolation. This separation is understandable, as addressing them together presents complex social, economic, and technical challenges. However, if we are to overcome the challenges facing us, these issues must be tackled as a whole.

Franc recognizes the importance of this integrated approach and seeks to meet the challenge by fostering collaboration and mutual understanding. No single group has all the answers, so the franc community is made up of professionals, scientists, researchers, business leaders, and advocates from diverse sectors who share a commitment to systemic change. This collaborative effort aims to design resilient cities, incorporating urban water management and blue-green infrastructure to create sustainable, humane development that mitigates the environmental risks we face, such as urban expansion, pollution, and climate change.

By advocating together for the necessary policy changes, franc aims to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for society. The challenges ahead are daunting, but with the franc mindset, we can achieve meaningful change.

In addition, the Stormwater NSW Awards for Excellence winners will be announced at a special event on Wednesday, 15 October.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Hunter Valley!