Stormwater NSW has officially released its Annual Report for 2025/2026, highlighting a transformative 12 months marked by significant financial turnaround, robust policy advocacy, and high-engagement industry events.
Following a challenging previous financial year, the Association has successfully rebounded, recording a net surplus of $53,350 and rebuilding its net assets to $90,257.86 with zero outstanding liabilities at year-end.
You can read the full details of our achievements, financial statements, and strategic outlook by accessing the SIA NSW Annual Report 2025-2026.pdf.
Key Highlights from the 2025/2026 Annual Report
1. Strong Financial Recovery and Fiscal Discipline
Treasurer Lachlan Shackcloth-Bertinetti reported a remarkable financial recovery for the Association during FY26. Total income reached $111,609.48, driven by a successful financial return from the franc.2025 conference, early partnership funding for franc.2026, diversified sponsorship streams, and rigorous control over operating expenses. With total expenditure reduced to $58,259.52, Stormwater NSW enters the new financial year in a robust position to continue serving its members.
2. Driving Policy Reform and Strategic Advocacy
Led by President Nerida Taylor and Advocacy Sub-Committee Chair Dr. Andrew Thomas, Stormwater NSW has cemented its position as the premier voice for the urban water sector in New South Wales:
- The Sydney Plan: Advocacy efforts successfully influenced the finalized Sydney Plan, which now formally recognizes urban stormwater discharge as the highest priority threat to estuarine water quality in NSW.
- WSUD and Funding Reform: Members contributed vital expertise to the NSW Government's Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Guidelines, while ongoing advocacy pushed for reviews of local government infrastructure funding and the Stormwater Management Service Charge.
- SQID Taskforce: Chaired by David Nixon, the industry-wide SQID Taskforce delivered a comprehensive multi-volume report offering practical solutions for stormwater quality improvement devices, governance improvements, and reform roadmaps.
3. Flagship Events and the franc Conference Success
- franc.2025 & franc.2026: The franc.2025 conference was a standout success, exceeding its break-even financial targets with 97% of delegates indicating an intent to return. This momentum has rolled directly into franc.2026 (taking place in Canberra from 27–30 October 2026), which has already surpassed early ticket sales and sold out its exhibition spaces under the theme "Be franc and drive change".
- Webinars and Workshops: The 2025/26 webinar series—generously sponsored by Water Technology—tackled critical topics such as "deemed-to-comply" pathways and market-based instruments (MBIs) for stormwater management.
4. Digital Reach and Member Engagement
Stormwater NSW’s digital presence saw exponential growth over the past year:
- LinkedIn impressions jumped 63% to 37,635, with total engagements surging by an incredible 664%.
- The Association's newsletter, Francly.Speaking, transitioned to a monthly publication schedule (supported by Meet Maple Media) to keep members up to date with timely regulatory changes, technical insights, and sector news.
Looking Ahead to FY27
While celebrating these wins, the leadership team emphasizes that the focus for the upcoming year will remain centered on membership growth and retention, maintaining strict financial discipline, and continuing collaborative advocacy to secure resilient, sustainable water management for future generations of New South Wales.
To dive deeper into the committee reports, detailed financial sheets, and the 2025 AGM minutes, view the complete document here: 👉 Download the SIA NSW Annual Report 2025-2026.pdf
