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, Acting Head, Industry Growth Division, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

10:00 - 10:30

Cultural Infrastructure Investment Across NSW

• Implementing the Cultural Infrastructure Plan 2025+

Julia Pucci, Director – Create Infrastructure, Create NSW

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 130,000 people will be living within walking distance of rail stops.

Craig Paterson, Project Director - Parramatta Light Rail, Transport for NSW

11:30 - 11:50

Sydney Metro Program Update

• With one driverless line in operation and three others in delivery, Sydney Metro is the biggest program of urban rail infrastructure investment in Australian history. Josh will provide an update on the program.

Joshua Watkin, Head of Program Management Office & Digital Delivery, 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 - 12:30

NSW Hydrogen Strategy and Hub Development

• In October 2021, the NSW Government released the NSW Hydrogen Strategy to detail the vision and direction for developing a hydrogen industry to 2030 and beyond.
• This presentation will focus on the implementation of the Strategy and the hydrogen hub initiative.

Tim Stock, Director of Hydrogen and Clean Energy, Department of Planning and Environment

12:30 - 12:50

Practical use cases of AI & Video Analytics

• Focus on what matters most
• Know what is happening
• Act with certainty

Philip Brewer, Business Development Manager – A & E, Oceania, Avigilon

13:50 - 14:10

Towards a clean energy future

Transgrid provides the grid infrastructure for NSW and the ACT, and, in consultation with stakeholders including governments, customers and communities, is building and planning the future grid for a decarbonised future.

In this presentation Craig Stallan will discuss Transgrid’s role in the energy landscape, discussing the opportunities and challenges for the transmission network and its major project pipeline, including EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West. It will be a chance to hear about the projects being built to enable more renewable energy to be integrated into the grid and put downward pressure on energy prices. Craig will also look at the future grid for NSW and what is still required to reach Net Zero targets and how Transgrid will supply a future grid that is agile, responsive and commercial.

Craig Stallan, Executive General Manager of Delivery, Transgrid

14:10 - 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

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

15:30 - 16:00

NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and Renewable Energy Zones

• NSW Government’s plan to transform the electricity system into one that is cheap, clean and reliable. 

Alison Pepper, Executive Director Strategy & Implementation, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

16:00 - 16:45

Infrastructure Planning for NSW: Looking Towards the Future

• Impact of the pandemic and natural disasters on NSW infrastructure and the need for enhanced resilience
• Taking a long term and sustainable approach to the state’s infrastructure planning
• Delivering flexible and resilient infrastructure for the community

Larry McGrath, Managing Director, Rainhill
Rebecca Clements, Henry Halloran Trust Postdoctoral Research Associate, The University of Sydney
Richard Barry, Senior Planning Consultant, Urbis
Steven Mann, Chief Executive, UDIA 

09:30 - 09:50

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

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

Digital Twins & Digital Transformation: Enabling Infrastructure to deliver better outcomes

Digital twins help plan and build modern infrastructure and extract more efficiency from the infrastructure we already have. Digital transformation is key to unlocking value by using information to create smart infrastructure that enables the innovation, changes, and new ideas required to deliver the better experiences and outcomes that create vibrant societies and smart cities.

Brian Dargan, Technical Director Digital Transformation APNA, Mott MacDonald

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

Metaverse Technologies and Virtual Infrastructure Impacts for the ‘Real World'

In this talk, David will reveal more about the Metaverse strategy and content his company has built with AEC global leader, Lendlease. From visualisations to gamification and the wearable technologies of sci-fi films being deployed for better safety and digital transformation locally and around the world, David will provide insights into local and global entities that have moved past the POC’s and hype and are enjoying the growth, safety, enhanced customer experience and productivity gains that immersive technologies provide.

David Francis, CEO & Co-Founder, Virtual Method

14:00 - 14:20

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

Nik Ruparel, Director, ProNEXUS Careers

14:20 - 15:00

Shaping the Future of Australia’s Construction Sector 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?
• Digitisation – the Key to Economic and Sustainable Ambitions of the Construction Industry
• Exploring BIM and AI in Construction Projects

Andrea Ciaffi, Digital Portfolio Leader, Buildings NSW, Automation Leader MEP, Australasia, ARUP
Cesare Caoduro, Digital Engineering Specialist and Manager, AECOM
Pete Swanson, Digital Technology Lead, Mott MacDonald