Neil Palmer

Neil Palmer has degrees in civil and public health engineering. His career spans 45 years in the Australian water industry, 20 years in Government, 19 years in the private sector and 6 years in research leadership.

His experience as a professional engineer from 1975 – 2022 includes the South Australian Engineering and Water Supply Department, the Fiji Public Works Department, the South Australian EPA, United Utilities Australia, the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination Australia, Tonkin Consulting and Osmoflo- where he is currently the Chief Technology Officer.

Neil is an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Water Association, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia and a former Director of the International Desalination Association.

He was awarded the South Australian Premier’s Water Medal in 2006 in recognition of his service to the water industry and was recognized in 2015 and again in 2017 by Water and Wastewater International Magazine as one of the world’s top 25 influential water leaders.

Neil’s wide and varied experience in many facets of the SA, Australian and international water industry, both public and private, uniquely equip him as person to get things done. He is an acknowledged and respected source of vision and wisdom.

Involved in:

• The salt of the earth (December 2023)
• Webinar: Water Security (February 2019)
• Webinar: Maximising net benefits of Australian urban water research (April 2018)
• Webinar: Water Sources in 2050? (June 2016)
• When Rain Doesn’t Fall (July 2016)