Stream SPEAKERS

Day 2 - Thursday 9 October

Stream 1: Asset Management

Streamlining Efficiency: Standardized Asset Systems for Multi-Client Contracts, improving safety outcomes for the team
Craig Young
Director Operations, Harrison Infrastructure Group
Craig is passionate about asset management and working with the front line operational teams to improve efficiency without sacrificing customer service. He has worked successfully in both front line and back office roles and strives to combine these areas for maximum benefit for the community.

Green Gold: Why Every Public Tree Deserves a Line on the Asset Register

Debbie Laporte
Director, Orterra Pty Ltd

Debbie is the Founding Director of Orterra, a Brisbane-based landscape architecture studio with a strong focus on sustainable and community-driven design. With over 20 years of experience in Australia and the UK, she has delivered projects ranging from schools and parks to residential communities and large-scale infrastructure. A past lecturer in landscape architecture at QUT, she remains committed to fostering a deeper connection between people and place. She is also the Chair of the Working Group for Nature Play Queensland, supporting outdoor play and nature-based learning across the state. Through Orterra, she continues to lead a values-driven practice known for thoughtful, collaborative design.

Transforming Infrastructure Delivery: Unitywater's Innovative ADAC Improvement Initiatives

Mr Steve Walker
Operational Readiness Coordinator, Unitywater

Steve Walker is a project professional with over 30 years of experience in Asset Creation and Development Services at Unitywater and Moreton Bay Council and actively pursues opportunities to initiate improvements and efficiencies for the benefit of the water industry and our Customers.Holding credentials as a Certified Practicing Project Director and a Masters Certificate of Project Management, Steve is passionate about improving, simplifying or automating processes for capture and submission of post-construction handover deliverables.Currently spearheading Unitywater's transformative ADAC (Asset Design As Constructed) improvement initiatives, Steve's work focuses on streamlining data quality, handover, and validation processes to deliver significant benefits for both Unitywater and its development customers. Steve’s dedication to fostering collaborative partnerships and leveraging cutting-edge solutions aims to set new industry benchmarks for asset data management, contributing a legacy to the water sector and the ADAC Consortium of Councils and Water Authorities.

Stream 2: Finance and Governance

AS4000 - The new Australian Standard Construction Contract
Michael Rochester
Partner, McCullough Robertson
Michael Rochester is a partner in McCullough Robertson's construction team.He has over 30 years experience in developing procurement strategies and contract documentation to take account of project risk and objectives.He is an advisor to many local governments throughout Queensland and has particular expertise in waste and water infrastructure.Michael has represented an industry association on the Standards Australia committee responsible for the drafting of the AS4000 construction contract suite.

Indemnity Clauses

Simon Boote
Partner, Longton Blackwell

Simon Boote is a Partner at Longton Blackwell with more than 25 years of project management experience and 16 years in legal practice. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Building, he has led major projects across health, infrastructure, mining, and commercial sectors for leading organisations and government agencies in Australia and internationally. Called to the Bar in 2007, Simon specialises in governance, compliance, contract law, dispute resolution, and litigation. His unique combination of legal expertise and construction industry experience enables him to deliver strategic outcomes, manage risk effectively, and achieve sustainable results.

Stream 2: Speaker 3

TBC
TBC

TBC

Stream 3: Community Projects

Beaudesert Town Centre Revitalisation Project

Matthew Creedy
Acting Manager, Scenic Rim Regional Council

Matthew Creedy is currently acting Manager Capital Works and Asset Management for Scenic Rim Regional Council.Matthew Creedy was the Scenic Rim Councils Project Manager for the project and was vital in its delivery, from inception including, funding applications through to design and delivery.

Nicholas Mackay
RPEQ Civil Engineer

Nicholas is a RPEQ Civil Engineer who has delivered civil infrastructure projects for over 16 years, including design management and construction contract administration including bridges, floodways, stormwater drainage and roads.Currently Project Manager and Superintendent on a number of projects with local governments including capital stormwater and road upgrades, Nicholas is also delivered DRFA programs and civil infrastructure projects for multiple local governments. He has extensive management experience on large projects and programs of works providing input to and management of projects during business case, design and construction phases.Nicholas has also previously worked for Fraser Coast Regional Council, North Burnett Regional Council, South Burnett Regional Council and Logan City Council.Nicholas was the Project Manager and Contract Superintendent responsible for the road and stormwater upgrade phases of the project, including Tender preparation, Tender administration, Contract administration and superintendency.

Evan Heugh

Complete Urban

Evan is a principal civil engineer and NBN manager. He holds an Advanced Diploma in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Evan skills lie within civil design and project management. He joined Complete in 2008, prior to this he has worked for Queanbeyan Council and a number of local Councils in England. In his spare time Evan enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.Evan was the design lead for the revitalization project.

Karumba Community Seawall Resilience Project

Michael Wanrooy
Director of Engineering, Carpentaria Shire Council

Nathaniel is a communications and engagement professional experienced working in both the public and private sectors. This includes a period as the engagement lead for Queensland’s engineering regulator where he led the organisation’s engagement with engineers, engineering firms and government. In the private sector he has consulted to clients in agriculture and forestry, technology, infrastructure, mining and resources. His work in stakeholder engagement has been recognised by the International Association for Public Participation. He takes a logical, and process driven approach to communications and engagement, involving stakeholders and end users to achieve real outcomes that matter to them.

Teviotville Road Betterment project

Matthew Arnold
Director, Redfrost

Matt is a civil engineer with over 15 years of civil construction experience for both the client and consultant on large projects and programs of civil infrastructure projects, including management of projects during business case, design and construction phases, and undertaking the responsibilities of a Superintendent.Matt is currently Program Manager across a large range of DRFA and capital works projects for Logan City Council, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley and South Burnett Regional Councils.He has managed programs of work up to $100 million including bridges, floodways, landslips, industrial precincts, new and upgraded roads, car parks, stormwater drainage upgrades, and community facilities.Matt is an RPEQ, Charter Professional Engineer and holds a Master of Project Management.

Stream 4: Asset Management

From Data to Decisions: How RACAS Helps Lithgow Connect Engineers, Finance, and Councillors Through a Network Lens

Tom Sanders
CEO, SHEPHERD

Tom Sanders is the CEO of SHEPHERD, with over 18 years of experience in infrastructure management and local government service delivery.His career began at Sunshine Coast Regional Council, followed by roles across NSW and Far North Queensland, where he tackled regional challenges firsthand. Now leading SHEPHERD, Tom works with councils across Australia to deliver simple, effective solutions that build sustainable, resilient communities.With a background in asset management, operations, and disaster recovery, Tom is skilled at turning complexity into clarity. His leadership empowers teams and supports councils to make confident, evidence-based decisions.

A 4D Model-Based Approach to Investment Management Across the Project Lifecycle

Mostafizur Rahman
Principal Water & Waste Project PlanningToowoomba Regional Council

Mostafizur Rahman is a Principal Engineer with hands-on experience managing projects across government and heavy industry. He currently leads planning and development of long-term Capital Works Programs, supports strategic partnerships, and mentors teams through integrated management systems aligned with ISO standards. He brings a clear, structured approach to project life cycle delivery, focusing on sustainability, collaboration, and practical outcomes. He’s a Chartered Engineer (CPEng), RPEQ, and certified Project Management Professional (PMP), with a Master’s in Engineering Management. Whether he’s simplifying technical frameworks or guiding teams, he focuses on making things work—clearly, reliably, and with purpose.

Aligning Financial and Renewal Planning for Road Networks

Mr Graham Jordan
Director, Lemmah Pty Ltd

Graham Jordan has over 50 years’ experience in Australian infrastructure management. He has qualifications in civil engineering, economics and obtained a Master of Business Administration in 1992. Graham’s professional experience includes state and local government and the private sector.Within local government, Graham was at the forefront of the implementation of Asset Management to improve the delivery of infrastructure services Since 1996, Graham has worked as an independent consultant assisting clients to gain asset management skills through recent assignments for in Queensland and interstate.For IPWEA, Graham assisted with the development of Practice Note 9, “Road Pavements Visual Condition Assessment and Asset Performance Guidelines” Graham is currently providing training for IPWEA in the implementation of this practice note.

Stream 5: Innovation and Technology

Smart Assets, Stronger Communities: Integrating Technology for Disaster-Ready Councils

Justin Fischer
General Manager Client and Corporate, SHEPHERD

Justin is a professional engineer with over 20 years’ experience in Local Government with a focus on asset management. Justin is an advocate for using fit-for-purpose asset data and systems to support organisations make better decisions that improve outcomes for their communities.

Low-Cost NB-IoT Floodway Monitoring for Regional Queensland

Jacob Barton
Director of Engineering Services, Murweh Shire Council

Jacob Barton is the Director of Engineering Services at Murweh Shire Council in South West Queensland. A Charleville local, Jacob left in 2005 to study Civil Engineering at the University of Queensland, graduating in 2009. He spent the next decade working as structural engineer, running his own consultancy for 7 of those years where he developed a passion for innovation and technology.

LIGHTNING PRESENTATION -Bluescope Composite Steel Bridges - Updating a Design Guide AND Low Cost sealing technology for air strips using OTTA/GATT technology.

Rob Danis
National Engineering Manager, Infrastructure Bluescope Steel Ltd

Rob Danis is the National Business Development Lead – Infrastructure at BlueScope. Rob possesses extensive expertise in engineering solutions for Road and Rail Infrastructure, as well as High Rise Residential and Commercial industries. At BlueScope, his primary concentration lies in the area of bridges, where he aims for incremental growth by guiding engineers to choose BlueScope REDCOR® Weathering Steel for appropriate bridge projects throughout Australia. This strategic choice ensures the creation of assets with minimal long-term maintenance requirements for their clients.

Aaron Huttig

Managing Director, HUTTIG's

Aaron is the owner of HUTTIG's Pty Ltd and has over 15 years in the civil engineering industry with a focus on road safety & transportation as well as seal and pavement technology.Growing up in rural Northwest Victoria, Previously having run Engineering teams and departments at regional and rural local governments authorities, he is acutely aware of the financial constraints the sector faces and need for innovation. His last role in Local Government before starting his consultancy was as Manager of Projects and Facilities at Warrnambool City Council, where the Warrnambool airport received a grant to seal it’s second runway.After internal funding cuts for the project, the grant was not enough to fund the sealing with traditional methods so led the investigation and deployment of a world first trial open graded seal – OTTA/GATT for a runway, which proved to be 40% of the cost of traditional sealing technology.

Stream 6: Traffic and Transport

Lines, Signs, Traffic Lights and High-Definition Maps - Government's Role in Enabling the Deployment of Connected and Automated Vehicles

Amit Trivedi
Director, Department Of Transport And Main Roads

Amit has more than 25 years’ experience in Systems Engineering, directing and managing risk, assurance and HSEQ management systems. His experience extends to the oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and transport sectors; with dual qualifications in Engineering, and he is well positioned to address organisational risks through engineering, regulation, and compliance.

The challenge to enhance active transport demand modelling through human behaviour data analytics

Maddy Stahlhut
GHD Pty Ltd

Maddy has worked across a variety of transport planning and design projects for local and state government. Her experience ranges in delivering large scale, multi-disciplinary programs of work, to localised sites in regional areas, which has provided her an in-depth understanding of project inputs and interdependencies. This is supported by her technical background in traffic engineering, civil design, road safety, active and public transport planning. Maddy’s excellent communication skills, combined with her technical background and experience at managing investment frameworks such as TMR’s OnQ Framework and Project Assessment Framework (PAF), provide her the ability to translate complex technical information for all stakeholders.

Brendan Langfield

Technical Services Leader Data and Analytics GHD

Brendan is experienced in designing and developing tailored and innovative analytical solutions, which tackle complex business problems across a wide range of domains. Part of GHD's simulation and decision science team, Brendan has substantial experience providing solutions within large and complex Public Service organisations and empowering decision makers to make meaningful change. Brendan’s creative problem-solving skills have been honed through his Physics background, and he complements this with a strong capability in modelling, data analytics, statistics and visualisation.

From Roads to the Reef: Improving Water Quality

Eleanor Nightingale

Director, Accession Consulting

Eleanor Nightingale is the Director of Accession Consulting, a boutique transport planning consultancy based in Brisbane, offering services in transport strategy, planning and infrastructure delivery - primarily focused on active and public transport. Eleanor believes in fit-for-purpose infrastructure and services that shape and enable cities and regions.

Day 3 - Friday 10 October

Stream 7: Roads

Improving Regional Pavement Performance through Stabilisation of Dispersive Soils: Practical Outcomes for Local Government

Blake Henry
Graduate Engineer QUT

Blake Henry is a civil engineer with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Business. He has worked across major infrastructure projects, including wind farm developments and public road upgrades, with experience in pavements, drainage, and bulk earthworks. Blake has a strong interest in sustainable civil design, particularly in the stabilisation of problematic soils for pavement applications. His recent research focuses on improving the performance and durability of road subgrades through targeted material treatments, contributing to more resilient and cost-effective infrastructure outcomes.

Enhancing Regional Road Investment: FNQROC TIDS Program Management Tool

Justin Fischer
General Manager Client and Corporate, SHEPHERD

Amanda Hancock
Regional Strategic Infrastructure Coordinator, Far North QLD Regional Organisation of Councils

Amanda Hancock is the Regional Strategic Coordinator for the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) establishing several regional procurement arrangements including the Regional Sewer Relining program and the facilitation of the Regional Bitumen Reseal.

Amanda is responsible for the identification and implementation of strategic projects relating to infrastructure across the Far North including coordination of the FNQ Regional Road & Transport Group, FNQ Water Alliance and the FNQ Regional Waste Management Committee.

LIGHTNING PRESENTATION - Sustainable pavement solution for soft & expansive soils – South Station Road, Ipswich (case study) AND Adapting Pavement Design to a Changing Climate: Impacts of Increased WMAPT on Flexible Pavements and Emissions

Amar Singh
Technical Business Developnment Manager, Pavements Global Synthetics Pty Ltd

Amar is a Degree Qualified Civil Engineer with a Post Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering -Majoring in Transportation Engineering. He is a member of Engineers Australia and Registered as a Professional Engineer in Queensland. Amar’s working experience includes Pavement Asset Management and Engineering Design over the last 25 years within the Local Government sector, Transurban and Engineering Consultancy.

Brendan Bennett

Senior Associate Pavement Engineer, Jacobs

Kim Boike

Civil Engineer, Jacobs

Stream 8: Road Safety

Practical TTM - delivering improved productivity, lower costs and improved safety outcomes for QLD local government

Dan Sullivan
Founding Director Solutions in Transport

Dr Dan Sullivan is a Civil Engineer and specialist in Temporary Traffic Management with more than 30 years’ experience across Australia and the UK. He has worked in Private Sector and Government Agencies. He was the Austroads Project Manager for the Safety at Road Worksites project focussed on harmonisation of training and registration and publication of the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management.

City of Gold Coast Road Safety Audit Framework

Emily Plath
Associate Director, Point8 Pty Ltd

Renee Wise is currently the Manager Transport Operations at the City of Gold Coast and has over 18 years experience in traffic engineering, road safety and transport planning. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from the Queensland University of Technology and a Diploma of Project Management, she is also a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland. Renee has undertaken various road safety audits throughout her career and currently leads the team responsible for the delivery of the actions contained in the Gold Coast Road Safety Plan 2021-2026.

Renee Wise

Manager Transport Operations, City of Gold Coast

LIGHTNING PRESENTATION - Warwick CBD Crossings AND Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management 2025 and Future Updates

James Varughese

Principal Engineer, Southern Downs Regional Council

James has over 20 years’ experience as a civil engineer with substantial experience in local government. James is an RPEQ and CPPM and currently serves as Manager for Works with Southern Downs Regional Council in delivery construction and operational works. James is a husband and father and loves spending time with family whether it be walking the dog, jogging or kicking the ball around with his children.

Rosie Toohey
Associate Director, Point8

Rosie Toohey is an Associate Director and Senior Traffic Engineer. She has extensive experience in traffic engineering, temporary traffic management, road safety and civil construction, and is passionate about keeping all road users safe. Rosie leads Point8’s team supporting Austroads in the review and update of the AGTTM and provision of technical support to the TTM industry.

Stream 9: Water & Stormwater

Risk-Based Management Approach for Overland Flow to Guide Infill Development

Nadia Guterres
Principal Engineer, Sunshine Coast Council

Nadia Guterres is a Principal Engineer with Sunshine Coast Council's Strategic Flooding and Stormwater Team. Nadia has more than 20 years of experience as a flood and stormwater modeller. In her current role she is involved in flood and stormwater modelling, coastal hazard adaptation planning and preparation of flood and stormwater policy.

Crispin Smythe

Coordinator Flooding & Stormwater Policy & Planning, Sunshine Coast Council

Modernising Protection Systems in Ageing HV Infrastructure: Stanwell PSTN Relay Upgrade Case Study

Ian Zareei

Principal Engineer, Persis Australia

Ian Zareei is a Registered Professional Electrical Engineer (RPEQ #20990) with over 20 years of experience in electrical design and project delivery. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Power Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical Energy Management, Ian specialises in HV/LV design, protection systems, and control systems across Queensland’s water infrastructure sector. As Managing Director and Principal Engineer at Persis Engineering, he has led major electrical upgrades for councils and utilities including Seqwater, Sunwater, and Toowoomba Regional Council.

Koushik Chukkala

Senior Electrical Engineer, Persis Engineering

Koushik Chukkala is an experienced HV Commissioning and Electrical Design Engineer with over a decade of hands-on experience in power systems, protection, and control systems across Queensland’s water and infrastructure sectors. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Electrical Power Engineering, and a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

Cook Shire Water & Sewer Assets Project

Ugurtan Akyurek

Geospatial Scientist / Remote Pilot

Ugurtan has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and found his passion for GIS while working on his final thesis about BIM and Smart Cities.After spending some time as a site engineer on construction projects in Turkey, he made the jump to the spatial industry, starting his career with Brisbane City Council.These days, he focuses on aerial mapping and GIS solutions. When he’s not working, you’ll probably find him playing guitar or drums.

Andrew Cleland

Software Developer turned Surveyor, Mangoesmapping Pty Ltd

Andrew has a background in software development and data engineering, spending a number of years in government working on spatial data projects. After building a desire to collect his own data, he went back to university to study a Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) at the University of Southern Queensland. For the last few years he has been studying whilst working as a Survey Technician, performing a wide range of surveys across South East Queensland and Far North Queensland. Andrew is now mixing software and surveying, collecting data and taking it all the way through to rich map based user experiences.

Stream 10: Disaster Management and Resilience

Condamine River Road Crossings

James Vargughese

Principal Engineer, Southern Downs Regional Council

Flood Resilience on a Budget

Clare Ferguson

Civil Engineer, Proterra Group

Clare is a Civil Engineer with Proterra Group (although currently on maternity leave) and has a passion for flood resilience. Having worked in the private sector for her professional career, Clare understands the importance of smart financial decision making on projects and applies this to her work with Goondiwindi Regional Council and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. Clare is constantly thinking outside the box and working to achieve the best outcomes for her clients.

Agility, Collaboration and Strategic Packaging: Enhancing Disaster Recovery Through the DRFA 2022 and 2024 Events Landslip Projects Tracks Track 1

Travis Harvey

Project Manager, CPM Advisory and Project Management

Travis Harvey is a Project Manager with a broad background in civil infrastructure and construction. His role as Project Manager on the DRFA Team for the City of Moreton Bay involves overseeing emergent and immediate construction work, ensuring effective governance and management of disaster recovery projects.

Andrew Schoenmaker

Coordinator Program Management and Delivery, City of Moreton Bay

Andrew has over 30 years’ experience as a professional engineer and manager in local government and working for water utilities and contractors. Andrew’s role as City of Moreton Bay’s Coordinator included the setup, oversight and management of the DRFA Team for the larger scale REPA (Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets) works and in this role, Andrew has provided leadership and governance of the disaster recovery program of works.

Rudd Rankine

Principal Engineer, Aro Industries

Stream 11: Environment and Sustainability

Delivering more sustainability sprayed seals without kerosene

Trevor Distin

Consultant, COLAS

Trevor joined the COLAS Australia Group in 2016 as the Group Technical and Marketing Manager having held a similar role with COLAS in Southern Africa. He has over 39 years’ experience in the development, manufacture and construction of bituminous materials. Currently working as a consultant to Colas whilst still serving on the Austroads and AfPA’s technical committees for Asphalt, Binders, Surfacings and Sustainability. Holds a Masters Diploma in Civil Engineering and Bachelors Degree of Commerce.

Integrating BIM and Agentic AI for Automated Carbon Estimation and Tracking in Construction Projects

Jun Wang

Senior Lecturer, Western Sydney Univesity

Dr. Jun Wang is a Senior Lecturer at Western Sydney University and Director of the Digital Engineering Lab, with expertise at the intersection of construction management, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. His research focuses on integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM) and AI to support intelligent decision-making across the lifecycle of built assets. A central theme of his work is advancing carbon-aware construction through automated BIM-based carbon estimation and AI-driven tracking of actual emissions during project delivery. Dr. Wang leads the development of platforms such as MetaBIM and EasyCarbon, which enrich and structure 3D model data for accurate carbon quantification and reporting. He has published over 100 papers, with a h-index of 44 and more than 9,000 citations. As Chief Investigator on multiple ARC and CRC-P grants, Dr. Wang collaborates extensively with industry to pioneer digital solutions for carbon management, compliance, and sustainability reporting in construction and infrastructure projects.

Victor Mantilla

Acting Manager Design and Placemaking Services

Sunshine Coast Council

Victor Mantilla is a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ), Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with Engineers Australia, and has over 17 years of experience in planning, design, construction, and project management of civil infrastructure projects. He is committed to delivering safe, compliant, and well-documented engineering solutions that meet governance and Safety in Design (SiD) requirements. Victor has contributed to high-profile projects across Queensland, including the Gold Coast Light Rail, Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor, and Grosvenor Mine bulk earthworks. He values multidisciplinary collaboration to unlock opportunities early in the project lifecycle. As leader of the Engineering Design Services Team (25 staff), he oversees engineering survey, design, and documentation for the Transport and Stormwater Capex Program. Known for his calm leadership, Victor fosters a feedback-driven culture, empowering his team while ensuring client objectives and project visions are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Use of Biogenic Materials to decarbonise Spray sealing and Asphalts

Michael He

Senior Product Engineer, Puma Energy, Bitumen

Michael He is a Chemical and Materials Engineer that has worked in the Transport industry for over 7 years. He looks forward to the future of the industry and how it will evolve over time.

Erik Denneman

Global Technical Manager, Puma Energy

Erik Denneman is the Global Technical Manager for Puma Energy, managing R&D and quality for binder supply globally. He has worked with Pavements in Europe, South Africa, USA and currently resides in Australia.

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