Conference Agenda

Speed Networking
This speed networking session will allow delegates to introduce themselves and swap business cards with other conference attendees.

Opening Address
An overview of the major infrastructure projects currently under development within the ACT.

George Tomlins, ACT Chief Engineer & Executive Director, Infrastructure Finance and Capital Works

The Future of the ACT: Canberra’s Light Rail Network

• An overview of what promises to be a highly modern, efficient rail system.
• Key updates on the construction of the project.
• How the network will help transform Canberra into a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly city.

Meghan Oldfield, Project Director – Light Rail Stage 1, Transport Canberra and City Services

Opportunities for the ACT to 2050

Canberra is maturing as a city. The great work of the planners and engineers that got us to where we are now hold us in good stead for the future. Adrian will explore some of the bold ideas and strategic initiatives needed now to position us for an exciting and sustainable 2050.

Adrian Piani, Canberra Area Manager, AECOM

A changing Belconnen

Belconnen, one of the ACT’s largest districts, is undergoing a range of changes and improvements that will help shape the area into a thriving, sustainable and engaging district. Thanks to an extraordinary amount of engagement and input, the 2016 Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan genuinely reflects the Belconnen community’s wishes for the future of their Town Centre – and those positive changes identified in the Master Plan are now being rapidly implemented. Member for Ginninderra and local resident Tara Cheyne MLA will outline the major investments and projects creating a more connected and engaged Belconnen community in the Town Centre and beyond, including:   

• Building the Belco bikeway to encourage active travel throughout the Town Centre
• Expanding the Belconnen Arts Centre and reworking the Lake Ginninderra pathway to activate the arts and cultural precinct, and
• Improvements in health, education and roads infrastructure to support the community’s needs

Tara Cheyne MLA, Member for Ginninderra, ACT

Constitution Place – Canberra City’s $300 Million Mixed-Use Development

• A 9000 square metre car park in Canberra’s city east will be redeveloped into Constitution Place – made up of two buildings linked by a Melbourne-style laneway.
• The buildings will house Government and commercial offices, as well as the Adina Grand Apartment Hotel.
• With its laneway set to harbour cafes and retail stores, the development will aim to redefine the notion of a work-life balance for its occupants, and fellow working Canberrans.

Richard Snow, Head of Property, Canberra Airport

Cultural Renewal within the Territory

• The Cultural Facilities Corporation manages a number of the ACT’s major cultural assets, including the Canberra Theatre Centre, the Canberra Museum and Gallery, and three historic places : Lanyon, Calthorpes’ House and Mugga-Mugga.
• This session will provide an overview of the importance of these facilities for residents of Canberra, for tourism, and for the ACT economy, and will then focus on planning for a major new theatre for Canberra.

Harriet Elvin, CEO, Cultural Facilities Corporation

Shaping the Future of Canberra: The City Renewal Authority

• Exploring the key urban renewal projects currently taking form with central Canberra.
• City grants: updates on how this funding will help to improve Canberra’s city centre.

Malcolm Snow, CEO, City Renewal Authority, Canberra

Seeing Impactful Social Infrastructure Projects to Fruition

• Hospitals, public housing, and educational facilities are deeply important pieces of infrastructure within not only the ACT, but in every corner of the world. How can individuals working within the social infrastructure sector efficiently procure and deliver such projects?
• Exploring MinterEllison’s major project methodology and approach.

Ben Fuller, Partner, MinterEllison
Rachel McNaught, Partner, MinterEllison

Propelling the ACT’s Economic Development

• Strategies for ensuring significant regional development within the Territory.
• Working with both public and private sectors to enhance tourism and sustainability.
• Updates on RDA ACT’s latest initiatives and projects.

Michael Claessens, Executive Director/Director of Regional Development, Regional Development Australia – Australian Capital Territory

Doma Group’s Transformative Multi-Building Precinct Set to Urbanise Canberra

• The precinct will comprise four buildings, one of which will be a six-storey tower featuring 13,000 square metres of office space.
• The other buildings will house 280 new apartments, as well as retail and commercial spaces.
• Allowing efficient connectivity between the Dickson group centre, Canberra’s light rail network, and the Dickson bus interchange, construction of the project will be carried out over two stages.

Gavin Edgar, General Manager, Development, Doma Group

Optimising Sustainable Urban Development Within Canberra

• Thinking long-term: how planning approaches within Canberra can ensure a resilient and sustainable future for the city.
• An analysis of current urban renewal projects within Canberra’s districts.
• Enhancing wellbeing within our communities: how green spaces can positively impact our moods. 

Professor Barbara Norman, Director, Canberra Urban and Regional Futures, University of Canberra

Speed Networking
This speed networking session will allow delegates to introduce themselves and swap business cards with other conference attendees.

ACT Healthy Waterways – Building water quality infrastructure in established urban catchments

• What makes water quality an infrastructure issue?
• Collaboration and partnerships
• Innovation in design and delivery

Justin Foley, Program Manager ACT Healthy Waterways, Environmental Planning & Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT

Panel Discussion:
Managing Population Growth through Alternative Living Solutions

• Catering to the ACT’s steadily booming population with the aid of new housing infrastructure, while ensuring occupants are connected, safe, and comfortable.
• Exploring the challenges surrounding the development of tall buildings within Canberra.
• How alternative housing can help drive and increase economic development within the ACT.

Adina Cirson, ACT Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
Caroline Le Couteur, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Planning, Transport, City Services & Member for Murrumbidgee, ACT Legislative Assembly
Gay Williamson, ACT Chapter President, The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
Rob Henry, Director, Rob Henry Architects

Red Hill’s Public Housing Precinct Redevelopment – Forming a Green, Active Network from the Inside

• Replacing the former Red Hill public housing precinct, changes to the 53,003 square metre site are already taking shape, with demolition of the old Red Hill flats having commenced.
• The precinct will act as a ‘green space’, encouraging healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyles by incorporating five parks, numerous green spines, and various pedestrian linkages throughout the suburb – also helping to connect community members to and within Red Hill.
• Red Hill community members collaborated closely with the ACT Government to develop the project’s Estate Development Plan – an analysis of the challenges and opportunities of such collaborations.
• The Suburban Land Agency has a remit to balance social, financial and environmental outcomes, has the Redhill Precinct achieved this? What other methodologies are being considered by the SLA to achieve such outcomes?

John Dietz, CEO, Suburban Land Agency, ACT
Karen Wilden, Director, Engagement and Executive Support, Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate

The Canberra to Eden Railway: Unlocking the Potential of South-Eastern Australia

• A proposal to connect the Port of Eden to the Australian rail network, by rebuilding the Queanbeyan-Bombala railway and developing an all-new corridor between Southern Monaro and Twofold Bay.
• Canberra’s potential as an intermodal freight hub for south-eastern Australia.
• Decentralisation, super-commuting, and access to affordable housing
• A low-cost, incremental approach to implementing high- and higher-speed rail in the wider Australian network.

Edwin Michell, Director, Stormcloud Engineering

A Smarter and Safer Canberra
 
“Smart Buildings and Cities” are about to explode in terms of market growth. As the building and construction industries are quite mature, many are not particularly familiar with cyber threats for buildings, facilities, roads and cities. As data is collected from edge devices, sensors, BMS and IBMS systems in various forms utilising traditional methods, IoT and cloud, exposure to tremendous cyber risks and threats have presented themselves. Hackers have already broken into many buildings’ BMSs, networks and other systems all over the globe and the trend will grow. The consequences are huge for both operations and safety of these buildings, facilities, airports and cities. This presentation will highlight these risks and threats and offer some recommendations that would mitigate some of those risks.

Bob Sharon, Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Blue IoT

How Will Canberra Prepare for the Upcoming Fleet of Electric Vehicles?

• As part of the ACT Government’s ‘Transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan’, all newly-leased government passenger vehicles within the territory will be electric.
• All new multi-unit and mixed-use developments within Canberra must install charging stations, in order to accommodate the influx.
• In 2017 the NRMA invested nearly $10 million into the construction of Australia’s largest fast-charging network along highways in the ACT - this is just one way that the territory’s roads can help support the scheme.

Dr. Paul Sernia, Chief Product Officer, Tritium

Structuring the contract to motivate performance

• Exploring how to develop contractual mechanisms that appropriately transfer risk to the private sector and hold it accountable for meeting the project outcomes.  
• Insights from major projects in the ACT and nationally. 

Jonathan Burns, Partner, KPMG

Tackling Canberra's Population Growth with the Efficient, Innovative Transport Design Solutions 

• Addressing the challenges surrounding a rapidly growing city. 
• Positively impacting Canberra’s transport system with strategic and sustainable design. 
• Exploring how high-quality design can help to tackle the challenges surrounding a rapidly growing city.

Noam Maitless, Design Director – Architecture and Urban Design, GHDWoodhead