Greg Finlayson

With a career spanning over three decades, Greg Finlayson is one of the water sector’s most respected technical leaders in water treatment and desalination. Based in Melbourne, Greg’s journey began in 1988 as a researcher in membrane treatment—then an emerging technology used only in small-scale applications.

Since then, Greg has been pivotal in turning research into real-world outcomes, advancing water treatment and desalination across Australia and internationally. His work has helped deliver projects with a combined value exceeding $7 billion.

Greg’s expertise spans the full spectrum of water treatment and supply, from membrane process selection and design (including ultrafiltration, microfiltration and reverse osmosis) to ultraviolet disinfection, ozone, granular activated carbon integration and ion exchange technology

His expertise extends across potable reuse, groundwater modelling and strategic urban water planning, with notable contributions in Wagga Wagga and other regional centres. His work balances technical rigour with political and community considerations, demonstrating his deep technical knowledge in demand forecasting, groundwater modelling and strategic supply-demand balancing, helping cities plan for resilient, sustainable water futures.

At GHD, Greg has led some of Australia’s most significant water infrastructure projects. He played a central role in the technical development, contract design and environmental approvals for the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant—one of the country’s largest and most complex multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects.

He has led concept development for water treatment plants, performance reviews of large-scale facilities and the design of innovative reuse and sewer mining plants.

Greg’s influence extends globally through collaborations with GHD teams in Canada and the UK. He has provided technical leadership and peer review for Vancouver’s multi-year, multi-billion-dollar water investment plan and led performance reviews of major desalination plants in the US, including the Carlsbad facility.

A champion of innovation, Greg co-authored a comparative study that informs water infrastructure strategy and has contributed to risk-based guidelines, sustainable assessment frameworks and circular economy initiatives. He has pioneered climate adaptation frameworks now used by utilities across Australia and authored national reports on potable reuse and alternative water supply options. He has played a key role in scenario planning for network investments and integrated water management strategies. He also co-developed the Adaptive Pathways Planning framework, a globally recognised approach adopted by major entities including Melbourne Water and Sydney Water to manage uncertainty.

Greg’s technical acumen is matched by his ability to facilitate workshops with senior industry stakeholders, ensuring that complex infrastructure projects are grounded in both technical rigour and practical realities. His leadership has shaped projects like the Wurdee Boluc Water Treatment Plant and Fisherman’s Bend urban renewal, the largest of its kind in Australia.

Beyond project delivery, Greg is a long-standing member of the Australian Water Association and has served on its Journal Committee, furthering the advancement of the industry through knowledge. He is a regular speaker at international conferences and has authored over 20 papers. He continues to influence national discussions on water security, climate adaptation and infrastructure planning, advocating for innovative funding strategies for resilience projects and long-term investment in water security.

Greg’s career is defined by technical excellence, a deep understanding of community, regulatory, and environmental needs and a commitment to building resilient sustainable water futures—making him a deserving recipient of the Distinguished Technical Leader designation.