Accredited Technical Masterclass 14

ATM 14 Preparing for the unpredictable: Building resilient water and marine infrastructure

Designing climate resilient water infrastructure requires decisions that hold up over decades, not just the next budget cycle. Across utilities, governments, ports, and major infrastructure owners, water demand is rising, while resourcing and operating conditions are becoming less predictable. Our industry leaders will examine these complex, interrelated issues, exploring how decision-makers can elevate their strategies, funding models and long-term planning.

In this 60-minute Accredited Technical Masterclass, participants will understand how organisations are developing resilient solutions through clear problem framing, options assessment and adaptive planning. Using real-world project examples from water, coastal and multi disciplinary infrastructure contexts, the presenters will highlight practical lessons learned and transferable approaches for different geographies, codes and regulatory environments. How to manage common trade-offs, including cost efficiency, service levels, risk and stakeholder expectations will also be explored.

This session is designed for senior decision-makers in the water sector, across public, private and government spheres. It will introduce an executive level roadmap to address current challenges through forward-thinking solutions, including how to build a pipeline of “shovel ready” initiatives and align stakeholders around future outcomes. Our presenters will conclude the masterclass with a short set of decision prompts to assist leaders in developing their next stages of planning.

By attending this masterclass, you will be able to:

Describe the key drivers increasing the need for climate resilient water infrastructure, the interrelationships between climate and other pressures, and why this complexity requires long term, strategic planning.
Explain how resilience decisions involve trade-offs across cost, risk, service levels, and stakeholder expectations, and why “no regrets” and adaptive approaches are often required.
Apply the resilience and system planning principles to undertake a gap analysis and identify improvement opportunities for their own challenges.

Register now to secure your spot.

GHD is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognised internationally as a standard development organisation and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

Don't forget to complete the short quiz at the end of the class to earn 0.1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) from the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Our exclusive masterclass offers global-relevant insights into water infrastructure planning, adapting to climate resilience challenges while still meeting relevant codes and regulations.

Greg Finlayson - Technical Director – Water & Distinguished Technical Leader, GHD

Greg Finlayson is a Distinguished Technical Leader at GHD, with a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and more than 30 years of experience in water treatment and climate adaptation. He has delivered major water infrastructure projects across Australia and internationally, with particular expertise in large‑scale desalination and advanced treatment systems.

Greg played a key technical leadership role in the Victorian Desalination Plant at Wonthaggi, one of the largest and most complex seawater desalination facilities in the world. Through his technical leadership, policy influence and close collaboration with clients, Greg has helped shape national water strategy and long‑term water security outcomes. His work continues to guide resilient, evidence‑based water planning in the face of climate uncertainty.

Melissa Burns - US Southeast Maritime & Coastal Business Group Leader, GHD

Melissa Burns is a Marine and Linear Infrastructure Structural Engineer and Project Manager with 15 years of experience delivering infrastructure projects across public and private sectors. Her portfolio spans feasibility assessments, structural design, advanced modelling, and the development of comprehensive plan sets for both design‑build and traditional delivery models. Her expertise ranges from implementing straightforward structural solutions to multi‑phase programs designed for evolving operational needs.

Melissa specialises in leading large, multidisciplinary teams to deliver resilient, cost‑effective infrastructure—particularly in environments facing climate‑driven stressors, extreme conditions, and material constraints. Her work is grounded in helping clients implement future‑ready strategies for climate resilient water systems.

Ryan Brotchie - Strategic Water Planning Lead, North America, GHD

Ryan Brotchie leads GHD’s Strategic Water Planning practice in North America and facilitates complex, forward‑looking conversations on climate challenges facing the water sector. Trained in both civil engineering and law, he brings deep experience across water supply, wastewater, stormwater and green infrastructure in Australia and North America.

Ryan’s work is grounded in adaptive planning and decision‑making under uncertainty, helping utilities chart pathways as conditions, risks and community expectations evolve. He has led and supported long‑term water security and One Water initiatives, including major water supply planning and decision-making efforts in Victoria, Western Australia, Texas and British Columbia. Ryan is committed to creating strategies that strengthen water security while enabling flexible responses to a changing climate.