Conference Agenda

09:00 - 09:30

Speed Networking
This speed networking session will allow delegates to introduce themselves and swap business cards with those they are seated with and other conference attendees.

09:30 - 10:00

Australian Participation Policy (AIP)

• AIP National Framework: ensuring full, fair, and reasonable opportunity for Australian industry to compete for work.
• Requirements for major projects under the AIP.

Donna Looney, General Manager, Industry Capability and Participation Branch, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

10:00 - 10:30

Accommodating Sydney’s Growing Aviation Demand

• Designed with forward-thinking practices and 21^st century aesthetics in mind, the Western Sydney Airport (WSA) will accommodate Sydney’s aviation demand that is anticipated to double over the next two decades.
• The airport will operate as a full-service airport capable of catering to large numbers of national and international flights and freight services.
• WSA as a key pillar within the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan; project flow on effect and pros & cons.

Tess Salmon, General Manager - External Affairs and Communication, Western Sydney Airport

10:30 - 11:00

Project Update - Parramatta Light Rail

• Connecting Westmead to Carlingford via a two-way 12km track routed through the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, the Parramatta Light Rail is expected to be up and running by 2023.
• By 2026 the light rail is estimated to passenger around 28,000 people daily, and it is anticipated that a 130,000 people will be living within walking distance of rail stops.

Andrew Milne*, Project Director, Parramatta Light Rail

11:30 - 11:50

Connecting Greater Parramatta to the Sydney CBD

• The Sydney Metro West Project will provide a world-class underground railway and transform Sydney public transport for generations to come.
• The once-in-a-century infrastructure investment is expected to create about 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs for the duration of construction.
• Sydney Metro West will deliver faster and more frequent access to major employment, education, and residential precincts across Sydney.

To Be Advised, To Be Advised, Sydney Metro

11:50 - 12:10

The Innovation Behind the Powerhouse Parramatta Museum

• Powerhouse Parramatta will deliver an inviting, dynamic, and active public precinct that will provide commuters never-before-had access to the Powerhouse Collection. Public spaces will be wide-reaching and will include a 30 percent tree canopy cover to provide shade and keep visitors cool.
• Setting a benchmark for cultural placemaking in Greater Sydney, the Powerhouse will be the state’s largest investment in cultural infrastructure since the conception of the Sydney Opera House. The 18,000m2 space will deliver an electric new exhibition filled with dynamic education and community programs and anticipates welcoming over 2 million visitors in its first year.
• In February of 2021, Powerhouse Parramatta Museum reached an exciting project milestone. Following the approval of the State Significant Development Application (SSDA), the project has now moved into the delivery stage.

Lisa Havilah, Chief Executive, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

12:10 - 12:40

A National Necessity – Upgrading Newell Highway

• With state funding of $500 million, the Newell Highway Project will improve connectivity, transport efficiency, and safety for local and interstate motorists.
• Connecting Victorian and Queensland state borders, the highway provides an economic backbone for freight and livestock transporters, tourism operators, holiday makers, and even emergency services.

13:40 - 14:05

Project Energy Connect

• The presentation will outline the challenges to develop Project EnergyConnect and to reach Final Investment Decision.
• Project EnergyConnect is the largest electricity transmission project in decades and is now at the end of the development cycle with TransGrid’s board making a decision to proceed in May 2021.  This was after approximately 6 years in the development phase.
• Project development has had many challenges including navigating the existing regulatory framework. Many solutions were explored with green financing innovative solutions.
• The next 3 years will be about delivering and commissioning this new 900km asset into the National Electricity Market (NEM). New challenges await!

Craig Stallan, Executive Manager – Works Delivery, Transgrid

14:05 - 14:35

Increasing Focus on Sustainability and Climate Risk within Infrastructure Planning

Rory Butler, Associate Director - Policy and Research, Infrastructure Australia

14:35 - 15:00

The Transformative Westmead Precinct

• One of NSW’s biggest public health infrastructure projects is on its way to transform the Westmead Health Precinct. Enabling the delivery of an innovative and integrated facility, this project will support the delivery of high-quality healthcare to the community.
• Being one of the largest health, education, research, and training areas in Australia, the Westmead Precinct spans 75 hectares and holds four major hospitals, four world-leading medical research institutes, two university campuses and the largest research intense pathology service in all of NSW.
• With the more than $3 billion committed by the government the precinct will see an upgrade like never before.

Sacha Mott, Director Commissioning, Westmead Redevelopment

15:30 - 16:00

NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and Renewable Energy Zones

Chloe Hicks, Director, Energy Infrastructure and Zones, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

16:00 - 16:45

COVID-19 and the Future of NSW Infrastructure

• Prior to COVID-19 and mass closures Australia was preparing for an upsurge of international travellers and a boost to the population. With international boarders closed for the foreseeable future, how has this affected NSW’s infrastructure sector?
• With hope on the horizon are there plans to ramp up infrastructure construction? Or is maintaining momentum the way to go?
• Current outlook on large-scale infrastructure projects.

Larry McGrath, Managing Director, Rainhill
Richard Barry, Senior Planning Consultant, Urbis
Steven Mann, Chief Executive, UDIA 
Tooran Alizadeh, Associate Professor of Urbanism and Infrastructure Planning, University of Sydney

09:30 - 09:50

Reviving Arts and Cultural Precincts Across NSW

• Implementing the Cultural Infrastructure Plan 2025+
• What has been accomplished under this strategic and coordinated approach to cultural infrastructure investment.
• Round two of the Regional Cultural Fund will provide a much-needed boost to cultural projects, community participation and cultural tourism across New South Wales.

Annette Pitman, Head of Create Infrastructure, Create NSW

09:50 - 10:10

The Rise of Social Procurement in Construction

Social procurement is growing in importance for the construction industry. It is now a requirement in every major project and industry is still developing their capability in this space. The session will cover:

• What is happening around Australia?  
• Best practice examples of social procurement in construction
• Tactics for social procurement

Chris Newman, Managing Director, ArcBlue

10:10 - 10:30

Renewable Energy and its Place in Major Infrastructure Projects

• What are the major initiatives and programs being undertaken by NSW government in the renewable energy space?
• How is NSW leveraging experience gleaned and lessons learned from its jurisdictional counterparts, academia and the market to progress renewable energy projects
• NSW is undergoing a change to its approach to renewable energy not seen for numerous decades. What processes can we implement when planning and executing major infrastructure projects to ensure the best approach is made?

Arianwyn Lowe, Director Energy Programs, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

10:30 - 11:00

SPEED NETWORKING

This speed networking session will allow delegates to introduce themselves and swap business cards with those they are seated with and other summit attendees.

11:30 - 11:50

Inland Rail: Bringing Widespread Long-Term Benefits to Australia

• Spanning more than 1,700km across 36 local government areas, Inland Rail will transform the way freight moves around the country and connect regional Australia to markets more efficiently.
• Inland Rail is set to provide $18 billion in economic benefit and more than 21,500 direct and indirect jobs at the peak of construction. 
• With the first of 13 individual projects, from Parkes to Narromine, completed and construction underway from Narrabri to North Star, Inland Rail is strengthening Australia’s economic recovery and freight supply resilience while providing certainty to local communities and strengthening investor confidence.
• Delivery Director, Heather Parry will provide a project update with a focus on the seven projects located in New South Wales. 
• The New South Wales Government has declared Inland Rail as ‘Critical State Significant Infrastructure’ in addition to its previous recognition as ‘State Significant Infrastructure’ given the size and complexity of the NSW projects.

Heather Parry, Delivery Director Central, Inland Rail

11:50 - 12:10

Bradfield City Centre on the Horizon

• An investment of $1.15 billion by the state government will kickstart building for Sydney’s third city centre.
• Spread over four years the funding will see basic infrastructure and redevelopment of the 114-hectare site that is expected to attract local and international private investment opportunities from major manufacturing and engineering firms.
• Anticipated to be approximately 60% of the size of Sydney’s CBD, the project will create thousands of jobs opportunities during and post-construction.

12:10 - 12:40

The Use of Technology in the Prevention of Harm

As technology progresses, it presents the opportunity to review existing and potential risks in the workplace and reduce or mitigate their impact. The Centre for Work Health and Safety has been closely monitoring advances in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and has conducted research in its application in WHS management. The Centre has also invested in the development of a world-first real time silica dust detector and will give an update on this device.

Dr Gregory Zelic, Head of Insights & Analytics, Centre for Work Health & Safety
Skye Buatava, Director, Centre for Work Health and Safety, NSW

13:40 - 14:00

How to Attract and Retain Talent in the Scope of Major Infrastructure Projects

Nik Ruparel, Director, ProNEXUS Careers

14:00 - 14:20

COVID Induced Shift towards Regional Living and What it means for Regional Infrastructure

Rachel Whiting, CEO and Director of Regional Development, Regional Development Australia Riverina

14:20 - 15:00

Revamping Construction through Technology

• Implementing technology to elevate the capabilities of New South Wales construction framework.
• How will technology minimise the effect of congestion on communities and businesses? Will this help alleviate transport disruption around construction sites?
• Proactive project management: what can we do to get ahead of the curve.