Conference Program

08:50 - 09:00

MC OPENS

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 - 09:50

Ministerial Address

09:50 - 10:20

Cross River Rail

• Latest updates on Cross River Rail.
• The project, which is jointly funded by state and federal governments, will ease congestion, improve connectivity and boost capacity.

Graeme Newton, Chief Executive Officer, Cross River Rail Delivery Authority

10:20 - 10:50

Resilient & Future-Focused Transport Infrastructure

• This presentation will examine Queensland’s approach to delivering a resilient and sustainable transport legacy in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Andrew Mahon, Deputy Director-General (Policy, Planning and Investment), Department of Transport and Main Roads

11:20 - 11:40

Sunshine Coast Terminal Airport Upgrades 

• Sunshine Coast Airport is undergoing a $170 million terminal expansion, which will double its size by 2027
• Upgrades include modernised facilities, enhanced retail and dining, improved passenger experience, and more baggage facilities.

Chris Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Sunshine Coast Airport

11:40 - 12:00

European Train Control System Program

• The European Train Control System (ETCS) is a digital signalling system will be delivered to key parts of the Southeast Queensland rail network.
• The program will improve flow of information, help increase the frequency of trains, ensure a high level of safety, future-proof the rail network, and increase the reliability of the state’s rail network.

Steven Thirkell, Engineering Delivery Director (Design and Delivery of the European Train Control System), Hitachi Rail

12:00 - 12:20

Presentation by Conference Gold Sponsor

12:20 - 13:00

PANEL DISCUSSION
Planning for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics & Legacy Transport Infrastructure 

• Hear from a panel of experts about planning for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games.
• Challenges, risks, and opportunities.

Eugenie Buckley, Deputy Director-General, Dep of Sport, Racing & Olympic Games
Kate Mackay, Principal, Arup
Peter Milward, General Manager, Department of Transport and Main Roads

14:00 - 14:20

Presentation by Conference Gold Sponsor

14:20 - 14:40

Presentation by Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

Garry Mueller, Director, Investment, NAIF

14:40 - 15:00

Brisbane Metro Expansion Program

• Brisbane Metro will expand to include 22 new stations, connecting key outer suburbs and the airport ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
• The project is supported by a partnership between the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, and will create greater reliability and connectivity of the state’s mass transit.

Cr Andrew Wines, Civic Cabinet Chair of Public Transport, Brisbane City Council

15:30 - 15:50

Towards Net Zero Transport

• Queensland’s journey to decarbonise freight and passenger transport.
• How the state can move towards a cleaner transport industry to support the QLD Government’s decarbonisation targets. 

15:50 - 16:10

30-Year Two-Port Masterplan 

• The 30-Year Two-Port Masterplan is a key step in creating new opportunities for the port of Cairns, including expansion of the Cairns Marine Precinct.
• The Masterplan outlines the most appropriate landside and waterside development pathways for each port in response to a growing regional population, economy and industry base.

16:10 - 16:40

Active Transport infrastructure 

• The importance of integrating cycling and walking paths into major road and rail projects in Queensland. 
• An overview of current initiatives aimed at improving meeting growing demand for cycling and walking infrastructure.

08:50 - 09:00

MC OPENS

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

Cairns Marine Precinct

• The Cairns Marine Precinct expansion project is a joint initiative between the Federal and Queensland governments, designed to boost maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities for commercial and defense vessels.
• The project centers on a new 5,000-tonne ship-lift and a common user facility.
• Updates on the project.

10:00 - 10:20

Inland Rail

• Updates and priorities on the Inland Rail Project.
• The project spans approximately 1,700 kilometres and involves both upgrading existing rail lines and constructing new tracks.

10:20 - 10:40

Beerburrum To Nambour (B2n) Rail Upgrade

• The B2N upgrade will duplicate the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough stations.
• The $1.004 billion project will also deliver station upgrades, new park 'n' ride facilities and new rail passing loops.

10:40 - 11:00

Outback Way Upgrade Program

• The Outback Way is a 2,720-kilometre route that crosses Central Australia, connecting Laverton in Western Australia with Winton in Queensland via Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
• The upgrades will progressively seal and widen the Donohue Highway and Diamantina Developmental Road between Winton and Tobermorey, which will improve safety, connectivity, and access for tourism, freight, and mining.

Mel Forbes, General Manager, Outback Highway Development Council

11:30 - 12:00

Bruce Highway Upgrade Program

• The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is the largest road infrastructure program in the state, aimed at enhancing capacity, safety, and flood resilience along the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns.
• The 1,673-kilometre highway serves as Queensland's major north-south road corridor, supporting approximately 58 per cent of Queensland’s population.

12:00 - 12:30

Innovation, Digital and Smart technologies in Transport Infrastructure Delivery 

• Hear about how AI, data, and smart technologies can optimise transport infrastructure projects in Queensland.

Professor Zuduo Zheng, Professor & Deputy TMR TAP Chair, University of Queensland

12:30 - 13:00

FIRESIDE CHAT
Coomera Connector (Stage 1)

• The Coomera Connector will deliver a road transport network expansion over a 45-kilometre stretch between Loganholme and Nerang. 
• The $3.5 billion project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments and will provide a new road link to the east of the M1 corridor, with new crossings of the Albert, Coomera, Logan, and Nerang Rivers.

Gary Georgiou, Chief Executive Officer, Georgiou

14:00 - 14:20

Biosecurity in the Boardroom: How Agricultural Leadership is shaping Queensland's Transport and Infrastructure Agenda

Jo will explore how agricultural leadership is shaping Queensland’s transport and infrastructure agenda beyond the farm gate. Through the Biosecurity in the Boardroom project, delivered in partnership with Biosecurity Queensland, QFF is elevating biosecurity as a core governance risk—highlighting the operational, financial and reputational exposure facing transport and supply chain businesses. It will also examine QFF’s joint advocacy in the Fix The Bruce campaign alongside RACQ and other peak bodies, and QFF’s ongoing role on the Bruce Highway Advisory Council to prioritise critical upgrades that improve safety, strengthen freight efficiency and unlock productivity for regional industries and communities.

Jo Sheppard, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Farmers Federation

14:20 - 14:40

Queensland's Freight Strategy

• Updates and priorities for Queensland’s Freight.
• Challenges and opportunities.

14:40 - 15:00

Community Engagement in Major Transport Projects 

• The benefits and opportunities related to active community involvement in transport projects.