Conference Program

MC OPENS

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.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS

Sally Stannard, Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads

CROSS RIVER RAIL

• Latest update on Cross River Rail
• Construction of Cross River Rail and supporting projects is underway at 16 worksites and once the underground line is in operation, it will transform the way people travel across the whole of South East Queensland.

Jeremy Kruger, Program Director, Cross River Rail Delivery Authority

QUEENSLAND FREIGHT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Updates and priorities for Queensland’s Freight.
• Challenges and opportunities. 
• Overview of NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Productivity Plan.

Brayden Soo, Manager, Freight and Supply Chains, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

New Fitzroy River Bridge Project

• The Fitzroy River Bridge, in addition to 500 metres of road, was significantly damaged following historical flooding through the Kimberley Region early in 2023.
• As the Alliance Director for the Fitzroy Bridge Alliance, Will led the successful delivery of the New Fitzroy River Bridge project completed under extremely tight timelines in a highly remote environment.
• The project overcame extreme logistical and environmental challenges to restore access to one of only two sealed road networks into Western Australia. Under Will’s leadership, the Alliance not only set a new benchmark for remote and emergency infrastructure delivery but also achieved lasting social and economic benefits for surrounding towns and remote Aboriginal communities

Will Telfer, Alliance Director, Fitzroy Bridge Allianc, Georgiou Group

Streamlining Success Through Digital Processes

In this presentation, we’ll show how we partner with clients to accelerate digital transformation, turning fragmented tasks and manual processes into cohesive, efficient workflows.

Trent Field, Technical Consultant – ACC, ARKANCE ANZ

PANEL DISCUSSION 
Technology-Driven Solutions in Transport Infrastructure Projects

• Hear from a panel of experts about how data and technology can optimise transport infrastructure projects.

Aleks Jankovic, Founder & CEO, VivoAI
James Gleeson, Founder and Director, Marvel Engineers
Nathan Hildebrandt, Director, Skewed

Solving Collaboration Challenges in Major Infrastructure Projects with Bluebeam

Major infrastructure projects often face significant hurdles due to fragmented communication, data overload, and a complex network of stakeholders. Establishing a single source of truth is essential to maintaining data continuity, eliminating version confusion, and reducing the risks associated with multiple contributors and disconnected workflows. In this session, Helly Patel and Lang Nguyen will explore how Bluebeam tackles these challenges by streamlining document management and enabling seamless collaboration throughout every phase of a project.

Helly Patel, Inside Sales Representative, Bluebeam
Lang Nguyen, Customer Success Manager, Bluebeam

OVERVIEW OF TRANSPORT PROJECTS ON THE NORTH COAST 

• Updates on several major transport infrastructure projects currently underway in the North Coast region including the Wave.
• The Sunshine Coast will be connected with seamless public transport from Beerwah through to the Sunshine Coast Airport, with a major new rail and metro connection, The Wave.
• Unveiled as part of the 2032 Delivery Plan, The Wave is one of the major infrastructure legacy projects for the Sunshine Coast.

Scott Whitaker, Regional Director (North Coast Region), Program Delivery and Operations, Department of Transport and Main Roads

Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)

• Stage 1 of the B2N upgrade will duplication the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Beerwah stations.
• The $1.004 billion project will also address level crossings through this section and expand park ‘n’ ride facilities.

Peter Papantoniou, General Manager, Rail Infrastructure Delivery, Department of Transport & Main Roads

Ashley Merrett, Director, Norman Disney & Young

Using traffic data analytics to improve network efficiency during major network events and construction works

This presentation explores the use of traffic data analytics to enhance network efficiency during major construction projects and events. By leveraging big data, advanced dashboards and insightful metrics, planners can minimise disruptions and optimise travel management. Key metrics such as travel times, origin-destination (OD) patterns, delays, and congestion levels are analysed to capture the impacts before, during and after network events. The session will highlight global case studies where this approach has been applied across diverse scenarios, showcasing their effectiveness in mitigating disruptions and guiding planning decisions.

Matt Ryan, Development Director - Transport Data Insights, Jacobs

Building for Tomorrow: Integrating Biosecurity and Ecological Resilience into Queensland’s Transport Infrastructure

• Queensland's biosecurity landscape, what it means for transport and infrastructure.
• Biosecurity risks in the industry and how these risks can be mitigated.
• Case studies and lessons for improving transport infrastructure design.
• Opportunities for wider collaboration between private sectors, public sectors, and the community.

Jessica Lovegrove-Walsh, Executive Officer - Friends of Parks Queensland, Queensland Biosecurity Ambassador

MC OPENS

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.

BRISBANE METRO

• Brisbane Metro will enhance connectivity between the inner-city and the suburbs by delivering fast and frequent travel via high-capacity electric metro vehicles.
• Key updates.

Councillor Ryan Murphy, Civic Cabinet Chair, Brisbane City Council

DECARBONISING THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY 

• How Queensland can move towards a cleaner transport industry to support the QLD Government’s decarbonisation targets. 

Kate Mackay, Principal, Arup

INLAND RAIL

• Overview of the Inland Rail project, which will connect Melbourne to Brisbane via inland routes. 
• Key updates.

Michael Farrell, Regional Director - Queensland, Inland Rail

Fostering discussions on infrastructure, transport policy and the future of the sector: Aggregates, Cement and Concrete 

• Meeting unprecedented demand.
• The need for a Heavy Construction Materials Plan.

David Rynne, State Director QLD, Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia

Smart Construction and the strategic value it offers to the infrastructure sector

There are many challenges infrastructure organisations face in the planning and delivery of their assets. Technology adoption is critical, which can help to address some of the challenges organisations may face. In this session, gain insights into how they can leverage Oracle's advanced technology solutions and adopt industry-specific innovations which Oracle is building into its core platforms. Technology adoption enables organisations to utilise industry-leading tools and adopt future advancements. By embracing these innovations, transport and infrastructure entities are better positioned to achieve successful outcomes throughout the entire project lifecycle of their assets, and this session will also highlight examples of such industry successes

James Kellagher, Senior Manager, Alliances & Channel, JAPAC, Oracle

• Integrating environmental considerations into transport planning.
• Innovation in clean construction materials and energy-efficient transport solutions.

Professor Lynette Cheah, Professor and Chair of Sustainable Transport; School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast

• This session will introduce the Collaborative Project and its aim to embed ‘collaboration as standard’ by developing and implementing a collaborative procurement and delivery model. 
• Looking at how TMR and Industry will operationalise the TMR-Industry Collaboration Charter through a Guided Collaboration Toolkit and optimising risk allocation and mitigation.
• Deliverables for the toolkit relate to market engagement, risks and contracts, procurement and evaluation, and culture and behaviours. The toolkit has a range of guides, materials and templates for every aspect of the project life cycle to embed collaborative behaviours.
• Finally, it will outline how TMR will be implementing the Collaborative Project and integrating the deliverables into TMR's existing infrastructure system. 
• The Department of Transport and Main Roads moves and connects people, places, goods and services safely, efficiently and effectively across Queensland. The Collaborative Project sits under the Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division in TMR and aims to embed ‘collaboration as standard’ by developing and implementing a collaborative procurement and delivery model.

Stephen Hulme, Director of Strategic Procurement - Collaborative Project, Department of Transport and Main Roads

ENHANCING QUEENSLAND’S BICYCLE NETWORK

• Expanding and improving cycling infrastructure across the state.
• Current initiatives aimed at improving safety for cyclists and meeting growing demand for cycling infrastructure.

Alton Twine, Chief Executive Officer, Bicycle Queensland

THE ROLE OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

• How public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be used to enhance innovation, fast-track project delivery, and mitigate risk in QLD’s transport infrastructure projects.

Sam Mendoza, National Infrastructure Lead, WT Partnership

Engineering Solutions for Queensland’s Transport Future – Project Experience & Insights

Chris Pires, Lead Digital/Computational Designer, Robert Bird Group
Scott Wheeler, Technical Director, Robert Bird Group

From Ancient Trade Routes to the Port of Brisbane – Why Freighting Garbanzo Beans Matters

Lauren Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Transport and Logistics Council.