Conference Agenda

09:00 - 09:30

Speed Networking

Introduce yourself, swap business cards, and form new and lasting business connections during a series of one-on-one exchanges with fellow conference delegates.

09:30 - 10:00

Ministerial Address

10:00 - 10:20

Updates and Priorties: Infrastructure Victoria

• Key updates and priorities for Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy, 2021-2051
• The 30-year strategy provides a practical plan for such public policy areas as housing, energy, transport, and social infrastructure.

Jonathan Spear, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Victoria

10:20 - 10:40

Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation 

Katrina Sedgwick OAM, Director & CEO, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co)

10:40 - 11:00

Overview of Major Projects at Development Victoria

• Development Victoria partners with communities and industries to create places that are sustainable, liveable and people-focused.
• Hear from Development Victoria’s Hannah Clement on major projects at Development Victoria.

Hannah Clement, Group Head, Civic Infrastructure, Development Victoria

11:30 - 11:50

New Footscray Hospital

• Key developments for the $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital project.
• The project is one of the state’s largest ever health infrastructure investments.

11:50 - 12:10

Ballarat Energy Storage System

• The Ballarat Energy Storage System is one of two projects part of The Energy Storage Initiative.
• Updates on the 30-megawatt (MW) / 30 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery in Ballarat.

12:10 - 12:30

Melbourne Square Skyscraper

• Work has begun on Melbourne Square BLVD Skyscraper, which is set to deliver 602 apartments and several modern amenities.
• The $3bn project is expected to be completed by early 2028.

12:30 - 13:00

Seven-Tower Precinct at Box Hill

• A new seven-tower precinct at Box Hill has been approved by the Victorian Government.
• The $1.57 billion project will deliver 1,700 homes, including a 10 per cent affordable housing contribution.

14:00 - 14:30

Victoria's Big Housing Build

• The Victorian Government has committed to building thousands of new homes across Victoria, creating new jobs and providing 12,000 social housing properties.
• The project includes replacing and upgrading over 1000 existing public housing properties.

Simon Newport, Chief Executive Officer, Homes Victoria

14:30 - 15:15

Panel Discussion: Creating Urban Health Through Architecture and Placemaking

• Hear from a panel of experts who will discuss the relationship between architecture, placemaking and urban health.

Gilbert Rochecouste, Founder and Director, Village Well

15:45 - 16:10

Adaptive Reuse: Younghusband Woolstore Redevelopment

• A presentation by internationally acclaimed architectural and consulting practice, Woods Bagot.
• Hear about major projects at Woods Bagot that utilise adaptive reuse.

Lisa Jennings, Principal, Woods Bagot

16:10 - 16:30

Suburban Rail Loop

• Updates on the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL), the largest infrastructure project in Victoria’s history.
• The SRL will deliver a 90km rail line via Melbourne Airport to key locations around Melbourne.

Frankie Carroll, Chief Executive Officer, Suburban Rail Loop Authority

09:00 - 09:30

Speed Networking

Introduce yourself, swap business cards, and form new and lasting business connections during a series of one-on-one exchanges with fellow conference delegates.

09:30 - 10:00

Epping Development Plan 

• Plans to turn the former Epping quarry into a $2 billion mixed-use precinct of offices, shops, healthcare facilities, hotels and housing have been approved by the City of Whittlesea.
• The project will develop the 51ha site into a “mini city”.

10:00 - 10:20

Northern Hospital Redevelopment Project

• The Victorian Government is investing over $800 million in upgrades to Northern Hospital, delivering a new emergency department and inpatient tower.  
• Hear key updates on the project

10:20 - 10:40

Queen Victoria Market Restoration

• Hear from the Lead Project Architect on the Queen Victoria Market Renewal Infrastructure Works.
• The $268 million project will revitalise and restore the Queen Victoria Market, while preserving the heritage and deign fabric of the iconic landmark.

Tiffany Tan, Principal, NH Architecture

11:10 - 11:30

Gurrowa Place

• The City of Melbourne has approved a $1.7 billion project located next to the Queen Victoria Market.
• The three-tower project will deliver residential, commercial, retail and public open spaces, and create more than 4000 jobs.

11:30 - 11:50

Victoria Gardens Redevelopment

• Richmond’s popular retail centre will be redeveloped into a mixed-use precinct, with the addition of six apartment buildings.
• The $780 million project will create 680 construction jobs annually, as well as over 300 ongoing jobs at the precinct.  

11:50 - 12:30

Panel Discussion: Utilising Technology in Construction

• Hear from a panel of experts on how to utilise technology to a project’s advantage.

Jeremy Graham, Digital Innovation Lead,

12:30 - 13:00

Renewable Energy: Offshore Wind

• Offshore wind is a key part of the transition to renewable energy.
• Star of the South is the most advanced offshore wind project in Australia, proposed to be located off the south coast of Gippsland.

14:00 - 14:20

Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Construction Sector

• Hear from Executive Director at Mind Medicine Australia, which exists to help alleviate mental suffering and prevent suicides as a result of mental illness.
• Mind Medicine Australia seeks to expand the treatment options available for those experiencing mental illness in Australia, focusing on the clinical application medicinal psilocybin and medicinal MDMA for the treatment of such mental illness.

Tania de Jong AM, Executive Director, Mind Medicine Australia

14:20 - 14:40

Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle Program

• Hear about Victoria’s Largest-Ever Land Defence Contract.
• The project will deliver and support 129 locally built Redback infantry fighting vehicles for the Australian Army.

14:40 - 15:00

Affordable and Social Housing

• Hear from acclaimed for-purpose organisation that provides homes and improved shelter for low-income people in need.