Conference Agenda

09:00 - 09:20

Ministerial Address

Hon Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Transport Infrastructure,Minister for Public and Active Transport, Victorian Government

09:20 - 09:50

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.

09:50 - 10:10

Victoria’s infrastructure strategy 2025-2055

• 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

Dr Jonathan Spear, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Victoria

10:10 - 10:30

Victoria's Big Housing Build

• Victoria has unveiled the delivery plan for its ambitious $1-billion Regional Housing Fund aimed at adding 1300 social and affordable homes to rural and regional areas
• The program is likely to present significant opportunities for developers through 2028

James Henry, Director, Property Development, Housing Choices Australia

10:30 - 10:50

Building Victoria’s Health Infrastructure Projects

• Hospital Upgrades: Major upgrades to Victorian hospitals as part of an $11 billion investment into the state's healthcare system
• Victoria is undertaking significant hospital upgrades and new builds, including new campuses for the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Royal Women's Hospital, upgrades for Austin Hospital and the Northern Hospital, the construction of a new West Gippsland Hospital, and the new Queen Elizabeth II hospital, as well as the redevelopment of existing hospitals like Wonthaggi and Monash Medical Centre. 
• These projects are part of a larger $7.3 billion investment in Health Infrastructure

Priscilla Radice, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Health Building Authority

11:20 - 11:40

Presentation by the Victorian School Building Authority 

• Presentation on Victorian’s big investment to build, maintain and upgrade schools across the state, and to build 100 new schools by 2026.

Avril Smith, Executive Director, Victorian School Building Authority
Dimitar Petreski, Director (Major Projects), Victorian School Building Authority

11:40 - 12:10

PANEL DISCUSSION
Investing in Aboriginal community-controlled health and wellbeing infrastructure

• Hear from a panel of experts who will discuss culturally safe services, and how government can help close the gap in Aboriginal health and wellbeing outcomes.

Louise Alexander, Executive Manager | Strategic Infrastructure Projects, VACCHO
Simon Flagg, Chief Executive Officer, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative

12:10 - 12:30

PRESENTATION BY CONFERENCE GOLD SPONSOR

12:30 - 12:50

Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Construction Sector

• Unfortunately, two workers take their own lives every working day in the industry. With large workloads and long working hours on top of financial precarity in the cost-of-living crisis, stress at work can result in many construction workers struggling with their mental health. 
• Not only this, but engineers and architects struggle with similar concerns - faced with pressure to work on 'impossible' projects, unhealthy work-life balances, and resource cuts - that result in mental health problems across careers. 
• The session will focus on areas to improve and prevent mental health crises, including how managers can identify and support those in need.

Tania de Jong AM, Executive Director, Mind Medicine Australia

12:50 - 13:10

PRESENTATION BY BESIXWATPAC

14:10 - 14:30

Overview of Major Projects: Mildura City Council

• Situated in the Mallee region of Victoria alongside the Murray River, Mildura is reviving its social and economic wellbeing through major infrastructure investment and projects that aim to transform the region and secure its future prosperity.
• Major Projects updates in the Mildura City Council.

Martin Hawson, Chief Executive Officer, Mildura Rural City Council

14:30 - 14:50

SEC Renewable Energy Park in Victoria

• The project, which will see a 100MW/200MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) co-located with a 119MW solar PV power plant, will be built in two stages with the support of developer OX2.
• The SEC Renewable Energy Park will be Victoria’s first 100% publicly owned utility-scale renewable energy project.
• It is estimated to cost around AU$370 million (US$240 million) to develop fully and is being constructed around 300km northwest of the state capital, Melbourne, in Horsham.

Lane Crockett, Executive General Manager, Assets, State Electricity Commission, Victoria (SEC)

14:50 - 15:10

PRESENTATION BY CONFERENCE GOLD SPONSOR

15:40 - 16:00

Women in Construction 

• Key Challenges and Solutions.
• Attracting more women to Construction.

Katherine Brewis, Chapter President - VIC Chapter Council, NAWIC

16:00 - 16:20

Powering the Future: Emerging Trends in EV Charging Infrastructure Across Victoria

• As electric vehicle adoption accelerates, Victoria is at the forefront of a charging infrastructure revolution. This session explores the latest trends shaping the rollout of charging networks—from ultra-fast charging and smart grid integration to innovative funding models, policy shifts, and urban planning implications. 
• Industry expert will share insights on current initiatives, the evolving regulatory landscape, and strategies for meeting the growing demand in urban and regional areas. 
• Attendees will gain a forward-looking perspective on how charging infrastructure is becoming a cornerstone of sustainable transport and city development in Victoria.

Ross De Rango, Director, Vehicle Charging Solutions Australia

16:20 - 16:40

City of Melbourne - Greenline Project

• The Greenline Project will deliver a 4 km seamless, connected journey with improved public spaces for events, public art and recreation along the way. The project will be split into five inter-connected precincts; Birrarung Marr, The Falls, River Park, Maritime and Saltwater Wharf, all highlighting the area's rich indigenous history.

Rick Kwasek, General Manager Infrastructure and Amenity, City of Melbourne

16:40 - 17:00

The Five Conditions of Social Licence

• Social licence is both valuable and fragile. Join this thought-provoking session to learn about the five conditions of social licence and the challenges of community engagement.

Bronwyn Raso, Partner Engagement, SenateSHJ

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 summit attendees.

09:30 - 10:00

Major Projects by Development Victoria

• Development Victoria partners with government and industry to create places that make a genuine difference to the people of Victoria.
• Development Victoria is delivering eight new and upgraded sporting infrastructure projects across regional Victoria over the coming years, bringing locals exactly what they want and need, attracting visitors to the regions, and providing opportunities for local businesses through the delivery of these projects.

Benjamin Delaney, Acting Group Head, Civic Infrastructure, Development Victoria

10:00 - 10:20

Transforming Melbourne West - Sunbury’s $2bn Town Centre Development Project

• A $2bn retail surge is on the way to one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing suburbs.
• Set along a 380m stretch of Sunbury Rd — one of the region’s busiest arterials.
• By 2046, Sunbury’s population is forecast to more than double from 44,000 to over 105,000 residents.
• Retail expenditure in the area is tipped to soar from $1.15bn in 2024 to $2.45bn by 2041.
• Project insights and updates.

Tim McIntosh, National Director | Retail Middle Markets, Colliers

10:20 - 10:40

Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation Project Update

• The Victorian Government is investing $1.7 billion to transform the Melbourne Arts Precinct, making it Australia’s biggest cultural infrastructure project.
• The project will deliver a new contemporary art gallery, extensive urban green spaces, and upgrades to the Theatres Building, that will see the city’s creative precinct transformed into one of the world’s greatest cultural destinations.

Michael O'Leary, Deputy CEO, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation

10:40 - 11:00

North East Link Project

• The Northeast Link is the largest ever investment in Melbourne’s northeast and it is forging ahead towards completion as works continue to ramp up. 
• The Northeast Link program of works is delivering three major road projects, including the 6.5-kilometre Northeast Link Tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen, the Eastern Freeway Upgrades, and the M80 Ring Road Completion.
• Project update

An Nguyen, Chief Executive Officer, North East Link State Tolling Corporation (STC)

11:30 - 11:50

The Better Roads Blitz: Delivering Safer, Smoother Roads for All Victorians

• Overview of the $976 million investment
• Scope, timelines, and regional focus
• Key metrics and targets for delivery

Sam Linke, Transport Leader for Victoria and South Australia, Aurecon

11:50 - 12:10

Australia’s largest built-to-rent development in Docklands

• How might District Living redefine urban living standards?
• How does this development help to evolve its part of Docklands as a residential precinct?
• The importance of infrastructure in driving quality urban residential development, particularly transport and community infrastructure.
• Can large-scale BTR developments provide more affordable and secure housing options?
• How does BTR compare to traditional private rentals in Australia.

Mat Stoddart, Development Director, AsheMorgan

12:10 - 12:30

Presentation by Lunch Sponsor

12:30 - 13:00

PANEL DISCUSSION
Digital technologies that can unlock millions in infrastructure productivity benefits for Victoria

• Five digital technologies can help meet Victoria’s growing infrastructure needs faster, finds a new report commissioned by Infrastructure Victoria, mainly machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), robotics advanced imaging, advanced data analytics, geospatial and technologies.
• Key experts will delve into the digital technology and infrastructure productivity and their potential to boost productivity across government infrastructure.

Ashley Hastings, Studio Design Technology Leader, Woods Bagot
Patricia Oman, Senior Associate, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Prof. Abbas Rajabifard, Discipline Leader of Geomatics, Director of Smart Sustainable Development and Leader of the Future Infrastructure Research Program, Melbourne School of Engineering

14:00 - 14:20

Supply Chains and Delivery: Addressing the Skills Shortage

• The Australian construction industry, including Victoria, faces significant challenges related to supply chains and workforce shortages, impacting project delivery and costs. 
• These challenges include material shortages, rising material costs, and a lack of skilled labor, especially for large-scale projects. These issues are exacerbating delays, increasing project budgets, and potentially impacting the long-term sustainability of the industry.
• Expert insight on how to mitigate the challenges and solution driven outcomes.

Lisa Kinross, Chief Executive Officer, CCFVIC
Michaela Lihou, Chief Executive Officer, Master Builders, Victoria
Nik Ruparel, Director, ProNEXUS Careers
Zac Kerr, Partner, Gilbert & Tobin

14:20 - 14:40

Smart Infrastructure Starts with Smart Design: The Role of Data in Complex Projects

• From the digital backbone of hyperscale data centres to the critical environments of health infrastructure, the use of data is reshaping how we design, construct, and operate major projects. 
• This talk outlines how our team integrates data-driven design principles to improve outcomes on Victoria’s most demanding builds—supporting a more connected, efficient, and responsive infrastructure network.

Jeremy Graham, Computational Design Director, HDR

14:40 - 15:00

Navigating Technical Planning Assessments and Streamlining Site Selection for Renewable Energy Projects in Victoria

• The types of technical assessments required,
• Key challenges faced with navigating technical planning legislation and conditions,
• A net zero approach to controls and mitigation,
• Use of digital tools to allow for efficient evaluation and informed decision making.

David Yates, Director, WSP

15:30 - 15:50

Beveridge to Albury Tranche Stage 2

• The Beveridge to Albury (B2A) project involves works along 262km of existing rail track between Beveridge, north of Melbourne, and the VictoriaNew South Wales border at Albury-Wodonga.
• Project update

Christian Rogers, Project Manager, Inland Rail

15:50 - 16:10

Tourism Experience Victoria 2033 Strategy Plan 

• Experience Victoria 2033 is our strategic plan to shape the future of Victoria’s visitor economy over the next 10 years.
• The plan will strengthen Victoria’s enviable tourism offering by leveraging the state’s competitive advantages.
• Strategy Overview.

Belinda Kleverlaan, Tourism, Events and Entities, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) Victoria