Program / Agenda

Program

Two Days, Two Streams, One Program

The program runs across two days. Select a day to see what's on, stream by stream.


Day 1 (Thu, 22 October)


Day 2 (Fri, 23 October)

Choose from 2 x Streams

Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery Stream B is Sponsored by Graffiti Scanner

Day 1 Thursday, 22 October 2026

8:00am 9:00am
Food, Drinks & Networking

Networking Breakfast

Meeting Place Foyer

10:30am 11:00am
Food, Drinks & Networking

Morning Tea

Exhibition Hall

Concurrent Stream Session #1 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #2 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #3 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #4 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #5 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #6 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #7 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #8 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Networking Breakfast

Thu Oct 22, 8:00am – 9:00am Meeting Place Foyer
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Overview

Join us from 8:00am for a relaxed Networking Breakfast. Collect your name badge at the registration desk, grab a pastry, and enjoy fresh coffee from the coffee cart before the Opening Plenary Keynote at 9:00am.

Opening Plenary Session

Thu Oct 22, 9:00am – 10:30am | Meeting Place
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Danny O'Brien MP
Danny O'Brien MP
Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety
Presenter
Biography
Biography
Danny O'Brien MP is the Leader of The Nationals and Deputy Leader of the Coalition in Victoria, as well as the Member for Gippsland South. First elected to the Victorian Parliament in 2015, Danny currently serves as Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Liveability, and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services. Before entering Parliament, Danny worked as a journalist, senior political adviser and public policy specialist, including roles with the Australian Government, the agriculture sector and regional development organisations. His professional experience spans communications, infrastructure policy, regional development and primary industries.

Born and raised in Gippsland, Danny is a passionate advocate for regional Victoria and is committed to ensuring communities have the infrastructure, services and opportunities they need to thrive.
Costa Georgiadis
Costa Georgiadis
Environmental Educator, Television Presenter and Author
Opening Plenary Keynote
Biography
Biography
A respected landscape architect, renowned for his expertise in design and his commitment to promoting sustainable gardening practices. His career blends his technical background in landscape architecture with a personal passion for nature, community involvement, and environmental education. Costa's role as the longtime host of Gardening Australia has solidified his reputation as a trusted voice in the Australian gardening and environmental sectors. With a background in landscape architecture, Costa's work has extended beyond television, contributing to numerous public and private landscape projects that emphasize eco-friendly design, water conservation, and the incorporation of indigenous plant species. His philosophy integrates natural elements with thoughtful design, creating spaces that are both functional and environmentally responsible.

Overview

Hear an address from the Shadow Minister, followed by our Opening Plenary Keynote, Costa Georgiadis (Environmental Educator, Television Presenter and Author) about the Focus on the Importance of Asset Management to Community Outcomes.

Morning Tea

Thu Oct 22, 10:30am – 11:00am Exhibition Hall
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Overview

Join us in the Exhibition Hall for Morning Tea. Take a break, connect with exhibitors, and start exploring what’s on offer.

Workshop Sessions

Thu Oct 22, 11:00am – 12:30pm Meeting Place
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Overview

Join in our roundtable sessions.

Lunch sponsored by Siemens

Thu Oct 22, 12:30pm – 1:30pm Exhibition Hall
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Overview

Head to the Exhibition Hall for lunch. Enjoy a bite to eat, catch up with exhibitors, and begin collecting stamps in your Exhibitor Passport for a chance to win!

Food, Drinks & Networking

Lunch sponsored by Siemens

Thu Oct 22, 12:30pm – 1:30pm | Exhibition Hall
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Overview

Head to the Exhibition Hall for lunch. Enjoy a bite to eat, catch up with exhibitors, and begin collecting stamps in your Exhibitor Passport for a chance to win!

Sponsored by

Siemens
Siemens
About
About
Siemens Asset Management Software enables organizations with connected insights and processes to manage the entire lifecycle of their assets, facilities, and infrastructure. As a global leader in intelligent asset management, our intuitive cloud-based AI-empowered platform is expertly designed to improve capital planning through smarter, data-driven decision making, equip technicians to predict, prioritize and manage preventative maintenance activities, and support organizations to achieve operational resiliency, compliance and efficiency goals.
Session Info
Head to the Exhibition Hall for lunch. Enjoy a bite to eat, catch up with exhibitors, and begin collecting stamps in your Exhibitor Passport for a chance to win!

Abstract Sessions

Thu Oct 22, 1:30pm – 3:00pm Meeting Place
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Overview

Join in our abstract sessions.

Food, Drinks & Networking

Afternoon Tea sponsored by Asset Vision

Thu Oct 22, 3:00pm – 3:30pm | Exhibition Hall
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Overview

Recharge in the Exhibition Hall with Afternoon Tea. It’s a great time to revisit exhibitors and make the most of day one!

Sponsored by

Asset Vision
Asset Vision
About
About
Asset Vision is an Australian enterprise asset management platform helping governments, councils, transport agencies, utilities and infrastructure providers manage assets, inspections, maintenance and capital planning in one connected system. At the forefront of AI-enabled asset intelligence, Asset Vision combines intuitive mobile tools, spatial data, automation and practical workflows to connect field teams, asset managers, finance, GIS and leadership. From roads and facilities to water, ports and community infrastructure, the platform supports safer operations, stronger compliance, more reliable data, better decisions and more confident long-term planning.
Session Info
Recharge in the Exhibition Hall with Afternoon Tea. It’s a great time to revisit exhibitors and make the most of day one!

Abstract Sessions

Thu Oct 22, 3:30pm – 5:00pm Meeting Place
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Overview

Join in on some very informative sessions on infrastructure and asset management.

Food, Drinks & Networking

Rooftop Drinks sponsored by Modelve

Thu Oct 22, 5:00pm – 8:00pm | Bossley Rooftop
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Overview

Join us for an unforgettable evening! Rooftop Drinks, proudly sponsored by Modelve, will take place on the Bossley Rooftop at Rydges Melbourne. Set against stunning, sky-high city views, this relaxed networking event is the perfect place to unwind with drinks, delicious canapés, and connect with fellow delegates for a truly great night. Not attending the full conference? You’re still welcome, tickets to the Rooftop Drinks event can be purchased separately.

Sponsored by

Modelve
Modelve
About
About
Modelve is a futuristic modelling platform that equips asset owners to engage with communities. It optimises budgets, risk and sustainability goals to communicate your asset stories simply and meaningfully. Web: https://www.modelve.com/
Session Info
Join us for an unforgettable evening! Rooftop Drinks, proudly sponsored by Modelve, will take place on the Bossley Rooftop at Rydges Melbourne. Set against stunning, sky-high city views, this relaxed networking event is the perfect place to unwind with drinks, delicious canapés, and connect with fellow delegates for a truly great night. Not attending the full conference? You’re still welcome, tickets to the Rooftop Drinks event can be purchased separately.

Leaders Exchange

Thu Oct 22, 11:00am – 12:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

In the Leaders Exchange sessions, you'll have the freedom to choose from four engaging topics, each led by an expert facilitator. Dive into the conversation that interests you most and if something else sparks your curiosity, you can switch rooms during the mid-session break to explore another perspective.

Steve Verity
Steve Verity
Principal Advisor - Asset Management, IPWEA
Leaders Exchange 1
Biography Session Info
Biography
Steve is an Emeritus member of IPWEA with over 35 years' experience in infrastructure and asset management across public and private sectors. He is active on multiple standards committees and working groups, and serves as IPWEA's representative on the Global Forum on Maintenance and Asset Management. Steve applies strong planning, risk, and funding approaches to support sustainable service delivery. He has also contributed to research and infrastructure performance reporting initiatives that strengthen evidence-based decision-making. He brings practical insight, broad experience, and a commitment to mentoring others in developing asset management capability.
Session Info
Every infrastructure organisation faces the same fundamental challenge: what do we prioritise when we cannot do it all? This interactive Leaders Exchange explores the real-world balancing act between maintaining service levels, managing asset risks, and operating within financial constraints. Through guided discussion and shared experience, participants will test their thinking against peers and consider how different approaches influence outcomes. Participants will leave with practical insights to support more transparent, evidence-based decisions and improve conversations with elected members and executives. This is important because the most significant risks often arise not from what we choose to do, but from what we defer, misalign, or fail to clearly explain.
Adam Thomas
Adam Thomas
Senior Advisor - Infrastructure Financial Management
Leaders Exchange 2
Biography Session Info
Biography
Since starting with local government nearly 30 years ago, Adam has held a number of senior roles in asset financial management in NSW State Government, Federal Government and the University sector. In more recent times, Adam has worked as a consultant to several NSW local governments, specialising in the integration of Asset data with large ERP systems, data modelling, capital expenditure management, AMP preparation and asset financial management. Adam is a CPA with an economics degree and also holds a Master of Business Administration.
Session Info
Asset management requires funding of lifecycle costs. Asset and finance managers need to come from a common understanding of what these costs are and how we fund them. This practical and interactive session will highlight the key technical issues impacting alignment, such as data, planning timeframes, objectives and asset management lifecycle costs, and the strategies that can be implemented to build alignment of practice within your organisation.
Tamara Allen-Canny
Tamara Allen-Canny
Senior Advisor - Asset Management, IPWEA
Leaders Exchange 3
Biography Session Info
Biography
Tamara is a passionate advocate for building asset management capability across local government and industry. With over two decades of senior executive experience, she has worked across growth, rural, and regional councils in Victoria and Queensland. Tamara brings deep knowledge in infrastructure and engineering services, having led teams in asset management planning, capital works delivery, maintenance, and disaster recovery. Tamara understands the real-world challenges councils face in managing assets effectively and sustainably and has extensive experience in leading asset transformation programs in both large and small councils. Through her work with IPWEA, she supports others in developing practical skills and strategic approaches to asset management. Her leadership and lived experiences have helped teams build confidence and deliver long-term value for their communities.
Session Info
This interactive workshop challenges practitioners to rethink how you present asset management information, focusing on clarity, relevance and impact. Learn how to deliver concise, decision-ready insights that resonate with decision makers across your organisation. Walk away with practical techniques to improve reports, strengthen briefings, and support more informed, confident decision-making.
Ross Goyne
Ross Goyne
Chair, IPWEA Asset Management Committee
Leaders Exchange 4
Biography Session Info
Biography
Ross Goyne is a qualified Civil, Municipal and Water / Wastewater Engineer with over 47 years' experience. He worked in Local Government in many senior management roles for a period of 27 years in seven municipalities across two states. Moving to private industry in 2005 he ran his own consultancy as Director Ross J Goyne Consulting P/L for over 13 years. The consulting focussed on providing specialist support for public works organisations in Asset Management and Project Management. Ross has passion for and been involved with Asset Management and Geographic Information Systems since the early 1990's and was the recipient of an Institute of Municipal Engineering Foundation - Overseas Study Tour award to the US & Canada in 1992 to further study these topics.
Session Info
Discover how the ISO 55000 suite can help your organisation turn asset management into a stronger driver of performance, governance, and service outcomes. In this practical workshop, delegates will explore how the international standards connect strategy, risk, lifecycle planning, and decision-making (SAMP) to build greater organisational maturity. With a clear focus on infrastructure and Local Government contexts, the session will give participants practical insights, common pitfalls to avoid, and actionable steps they can take back to their organisation immediately.
Kerry Brown
Kerry Brown
Professor of Employment and Industry, Edith Cowan University
Leaders Exchange 4
Biography Session Info
Biography
Kerry Brown is the Professor of Employment and Industry in the School of Business and Law and Research Theme Leader, Natural and Built Environments at Edith Cowan University, WA. She holds a PhD in Industrial Relations from Griffith University. She is President of the Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management (2020-2022). Professor Brown is a Board Member of the Planning and Transport Research Centre WA (since 2019), Board Member of the Asset Institute and Executive Board Member and Founding Fellow of the International Society for Engineering Asset Management (ISEAM) since 2007. She is a member of the International Standards Organization Technical Committee TC251 Asset Management. Professor Brown specialises in business management; innovation; public policy and management; HRM; collaboration, networks and business clusters; capability, strategy, management and policy for infrastructure and asset management.
Session Info
Discover how the ISO 55000 suite can help your organisation turn asset management into a stronger driver of performance, governance, and service outcomes. In this practical workshop, delegates will explore how the international standards connect strategy, risk, lifecycle planning, and decision-making (SAMP) to build greater organisational maturity. With a clear focus on infrastructure and Local Government contexts, the session will give participants practical insights, common pitfalls to avoid, and actionable steps they can take back to their organisation immediately.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

Bass Coast's Structures Asset Management Journey

Thu Oct 22, 1:30pm – 1:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Bass Coast Shire Council manages 1,300 structures, including over 300 transport bridges & major culverts and 31 pedestrian structures serving an extensive rail trail, tracks and pathway network. Two structures are iconic heritage listed timber trestle bridges, and several have 100+ year old components. Due to the significant deterioration of many structures, Council have embarked on a fast-tracked replacement and rehabilitation program to correct the historical pattern of reactively load-limiting and closing compromised structures.

Simon Harris
Simon Harris
Coordinator Asset Management, Bass Coast Shire Council
Biography Session Info
Biography
Simon Harris has 20 years leadership experience in infrastructure asset management. Working at Bass Coast Shire Council in Victoria, he manages a small Asset Management Planning team with shrinking funds to innovatively deal with climate changes and a growing community's needs. Their goal is to provide safe, sustainable community infrastructure for the fast-growing Bass Coast region. They have done this through using state of the art technology and predictive models to economically plan for infrastructure maintenance and funding to best use the resources available. They've pioneered integrated asset management systems that address climate change risks.
Session Info
Bass Coast Shire Council manages 1,300 structures, including over 300 transport bridges & major culverts and 31 pedestrian structures serving an extensive rail trail, tracks and pathway network. Two structures are iconic heritage listed timber trestle bridges, and several have 100+ year old components. Due to the significant deterioration of many structures, Council have embarked on a fast-tracked replacement and rehabilitation program to correct the historical pattern of reactively load-limiting and closing compromised structures. Addressing this required more than field discovery alone. A key innovation was a large‑scale subdivision development review of more than 700 historical development areas since around 1995. Leveraging NSW Government's historical cadastre to identify the development areas, we established a link to our corporate document management system where drawings were already held but not systematically utilised. This targeted desktop investigation allowed missing assets to be identified, spatially validated and prioritised for verification, significantly reducing reliance on ad‑hoc discovery.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

Using Asset Health to Turn Data into Decisions

Thu Oct 22, 1:30pm – 1:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Following its inclusion in the Audit Office of New South Wales performance audit, Wollondilly Shire Council confronted a familiar but rarely articulated reality, the cost to sustainably maintain its infrastructure exceeded available funding, yet this gap was not clearly understood at the decision making level. At the same time, a newly elected Council in September 2024 was tasked with adopting a resourcing and asset management strategy without a clear, consistent way to interpret asset data, compare priorities across asset classes, or understand the consequences of underinvestment.

Nafizul Akash
Nafizul Akash
Team Leader Asset Management, Wollondilly Shire Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Akash is the Team Leader Asset Management at Wollondilly Shire Council, with over 13 years of experience in local government across both Wollondilly and Parkes Shire Council. He leads the development and delivery of asset management strategies, long-term financial planning, and capital works programming to support sustainable infrastructure outcomes. Akash holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with a Diploma in Engineering Practice from the University of Technology Sydney. His expertise spans asset management, pavement management, and forward planning of infrastructure maintenance and renewal.
Session Info
Following its inclusion in the Audit Office of New South Wales performance audit, Wollondilly Shire Council confronted a familiar but rarely articulated reality, the cost to sustainably maintain its infrastructure exceeded available funding, yet this gap was not clearly understood at the decision making level. At the same time, a newly elected Council in September 2024 was tasked with adopting a resourcing and asset management strategy without a clear, consistent way to interpret asset data, compare priorities across asset classes, or understand the consequences of underinvestment. Traditional approaches weren’t failing due to lack of data, but because they failed to translate complexity into decisions. In response, Council introduced scenario-based modelling and a universal “% asset health” KPI, a single metric applied across all asset classes to quantify performance, decline, and risk. For the first time, decision-makers could clearly see the impact of funding choices; what could be sustained, what would deteriorate, the level of risk being accepted and the projected decline in asset health across asset classes under current funding levels. This approach reframed asset management from a technical function into a strategic decision-making tool. Trade-offs became explicit, risk became visible, and decisions could no longer be deferred behind complexity. This presentation shares how audit pressure, organisational change, and a deliberate shift to data storytelling were used to challenge assumptions, confront funding realities, and enable elected officials to make informed choices.
Mike Nelson
Mike Nelson
Manager Infrastructure Engineering, Wollondilly Shire Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Mike Nelson is the Manager Infrastructure Engineering at Wollondilly Shire Council, with more than 30 years' experience in local government across infrastructure planning, engineering, asset management and strategic transport. He leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for infrastructure engineering, development engineering and asset management, with a strong focus on integrating technical evidence into strategic decision-making. Mike has championed a renewed approach to asset management at Wollondilly, strengthening the connection between asset health, levels of service, long-term financial planning and elected member engagement. He is passionate about making complex infrastructure and asset management concepts accessible, enabling better investment decisions and delivering sustainable community outcomes.
Session Info
Following its inclusion in the Audit Office of New South Wales performance audit, Wollondilly Shire Council confronted a familiar but rarely articulated reality, the cost to sustainably maintain its infrastructure exceeded available funding, yet this gap was not clearly understood at the decision making level. At the same time, a newly elected Council in September 2024 was tasked with adopting a resourcing and asset management strategy without a clear, consistent way to interpret asset data, compare priorities across asset classes, or understand the consequences of underinvestment. Traditional approaches weren’t failing due to lack of data, but because they failed to translate complexity into decisions. In response, Council introduced scenario-based modelling and a universal “% asset health” KPI, a single metric applied across all asset classes to quantify performance, decline, and risk. For the first time, decision-makers could clearly see the impact of funding choices; what could be sustained, what would deteriorate, the level of risk being accepted and the projected decline in asset health across asset classes under current funding levels. This approach reframed asset management from a technical function into a strategic decision-making tool. Trade-offs became explicit, risk became visible, and decisions could no longer be deferred behind complexity. This presentation shares how audit pressure, organisational change, and a deliberate shift to data storytelling were used to challenge assumptions, confront funding realities, and enable elected officials to make informed choices.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

A Digital Twin and Big Data Analytics Framework for Integrated Multi-Hazard Risk Modelling

Wed Oct 22, 1:50pm – 2:10pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

This study presents a Digital Twin and Big Data Analytics framework to quantify multi-hazard operational disruption across geographically distributed transmission assets. Using a scalable GeoParquet architecture, a unified daily asset digital twin was developed representing 35 years of historical climate exposure (1990–2024). Hazard-specific feature engineering integrates climate data, terrain attributes, physics-informed models, and machine learning to estimate probabilistic Work / Derate / Outage states for individual towers and spans.

Rudolf Espada
Rudolf Espada
Spatial Analyst, Powerlink Queensland
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
The speaker is a Spatial Analyst within the Powerlink Queensland's Delivery and Technical Services - Digital Engineering Department, specialising in geospatial analytics, environmental modelling, and data-driven decision support. Prior to joining Powerlink, the speaker held multiple spatial roles across agricultural consulting and local government, including work with city council.
Session Info
The Calvale–Calliope River (C2C) Reinforcement Project is subject to interacting climate hazards—including wind, flooding, ground wetness, heatwaves, bushfires, and cyclones—that directly influence access, safety, productivity, and construction sequencing across geographically distributed transmission assets. Conventional planning methods rely on generic weather allowances and do not adequately represent asset-specific exposure, temporal variability, or cumulative multi-hazard effects. This study presents a Digital Twin and Big Data Analytics framework to quantify multi-hazard operational disruption at the asset level over a 35-year historical period (1990–2024). A unified daily asset digital twin was developed using a scalable GeoParquet architecture, representing each asset-day as a virtual exposure to historical climate conditions. Hazard-specific feature engineering integrates long-term climate data, terrain attributes, physics-informed models, and machine learning techniques to estimate probabilistic Work / Derate / Outage (W/D/O) states for individual towers and spans.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

Paper Cuts to Pixel Perfect: The Digital Evolution of Asset Management Plans

Thu Oct 22, 1:50pm – 2:10pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Asset management plans are still largely paper-based, often becoming outdated "set and forget" documents that fail to support evidence-based decision-making. This session explores the shift to dynamic, digital asset management plans (DAMPs), showing how a digital approach transforms static data into usable, transparent information. Discover how this shift empowers smarter, data-driven decisions that are easy to refresh as part of your review cycle.

Lauren Russell
Lauren Russell
Consultant, Siemens
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Lauren is a Strategic Asset Management Consultant for Siemens, bringing over seven years' experience within strategic asset and infrastructure management experience across all levels of government and private sector. Lauren has a particular passion for health infrastructure, innovative digital solutions, monitoring functions and enjoys collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to help identify opportunities where asset management can make a measurable impact. Now based in Melbourne, Lauren's passion for health infrastructure means she has been intimately involved in many complex and innovative programmes of work, including the development of organisational policies, strategic plans and digital tools to better manage Aotearoa New Zealand's NZD$38 billion worth of health assets. She has since worked across a number of different sectors and enjoys the variety.
Session Info
Asset management plans (AMP) are a paper-based product in what is quickly becoming a world with an insatiable appetite for digital solutions. The International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM) emphasises that asset management plans should outline an organisation's current understanding of service requirements and network capability to support evidence-based decision-making. Yet, many organisations treat AMPs as 'set and forget' paper documents, quickly outdated and underutilised, directly contradicting the foundational asset management principle of maximising value. This presentation invites you on a transformative journey, demonstrating the potential of shifting from cumbersome paper trails to dynamic, digital asset management plans (DAMPs). We will explore how embracing a digital approach not only 'ticks the box' of having a plan but also its ability to transform data into usable, transparent information, empowering your organisation to make smarter, data-driven decisions that are easy to refresh as part of your review cycle.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

Breaking the Crisis Cycle in Local Roads Asset Management

Thu Oct 22, 2:10pm – 2:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Regional councils across Australia face the challenge of managing ageing infrastructure with limited financial capacity, even as community expectations rise. For MidCoast Council, this is amplified by one of the largest local road networks in NSW. This session shares the MidCoast Road Strategy, an evidence-based framework designed to break the cycle of crisis, reaction and apathy in road infrastructure management, combining condition data, financial modelling and community engagement.

Robert Scott
Robert Scott
Director Infrastructure & Engineering Services, MidCoast Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Rob Scott is a senior infrastructure leader in NSW local government, specialising in civil engineering, water utilities, and asset management. He's currently the Director of Infrastructure & Engineering Services at MidCoast Council, responsible for delivering essential services across transport, water, sewer and more. Known for his direct, collaborative approach, he's passionate about sharing knowledge to improve outcomes for communities.
Session Info
Regional councils across Australia face a common challenge: managing extensive, ageing infrastructure networks with limited financial capacity while community expectations continue to rise. For MidCoast Council on the NSW Mid-North Coast, this challenge is amplified by one of the largest local road networks in the state — more than 3,600 km of roads serving 195 towns and villages across a 10,000 km² region. Following council amalgamation, growing community dissatisfaction and increasing infrastructure pressures, it became clear that traditional asset management planning alone was not enough to reset expectations or drive meaningful change. A new approach was needed to connect technical asset data, financial reality and community understanding.

This presentation shares the development of the MidCoast Road Strategy, an evidence-based framework designed to break the long-standing cycle of crisis, reaction and apathy that often characterises road infrastructure management. The strategy combined multiple sources of information, including detailed condition data collection, lifecycle deterioration modelling, analysis of customer service requests, community satisfaction data and extensive engagement with Councillors and staff.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

Managing Green Asset Infrastructure Seems Straightforward, Doesn't It?

Thu Oct 22, 2:10pm – 2:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Across communities, expectations for high-quality green infrastructure continue to grow—placing increasing pressure on organisations to deliver, maintain, and adapt assets in the face of evolving service demands and constrained resources. However, many face significant challenges due to fragmented asset knowledge, unclear service levels, and limited visibility of long-term costs and risks.

Karl Nesbitt
Karl Nesbitt
Senior Consultant, Xyst
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Karl Nesbitt has over 30 years' experience in the horticulture, parks and open spaces, community facilities and customer service sectors. He has been involved in contract management, business development and quality assurance programs such as Yardstick, and seeks to build capability, develop partnerships and deliver high quality recreation experiences. Karl has also been involved in environmental landscape architecture, development of green space frameworks, asset renewals and open space management. His roles have encompassed parks, recreational facilities, horticulture and turf management, and cemeteries; he has delivered local and international webinars to support the Cemeteries and Parks industry and managed the New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective.
Session Info
Across communities, expectations for high-quality green infrastructure continue to grow—placing increasing pressure on organisations to deliver, maintain, and adapt assets in the face of evolving service demands and constrained resources. However, many face significant challenges due to fragmented asset knowledge, unclear service levels, and limited visibility of long-term costs and risks. This presentation explores how developing a robust, structured asset hierarchy—aligned to service levels, asset types, quality standards and technical service levels —can transform the way green infrastructure is understood and managed. By strengthening the connection between asset data and operational outcomes, organisations can improve planning accuracy, enhance decision-making, and better respond to changing community expectations. Drawing on practical insights and real-world experience, this session will highlight the critical role of data clarity in identifying risks, optimising investment, and enabling agile responses to funding shifts or service level changes. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how improved asset intelligence can unlock more confident, evidence-based management of green infrastructure networks. Join us as we unpack the challenges, share lessons learned, and outline a pathway to more resilient, transparent, and future-ready green infrastructure management.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

The Elephant Beneath the Streets: Unlocking Hidden Stormwater Knowledge

Thu Oct 22, 2:30pm – 2:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Accurate knowledge of stormwater assets underpins sound valuation, risk management and investment planning. Ahead of its most recent stormwater revaluation, Shoalhaven City Council uncovered around 20km of previously unrecorded pipes and found roughly 20% of the network missing from existing registers. This session outlines how a structured review, including a large-scale check of more than 700 historical development areas, lifted data confidence and organisational understanding of the network.

Peter McQueen
Peter McQueen
Manager Asset Strategy, Shoalhaven City Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Peter McQueen is the Manager Asset Strategy at Shoalhaven City Council, with over a decade of experience across asset management, geospatial systems, and enterprise data platforms within local government. His work focuses on improving the quality, governance, and usability of asset data to support evidence‑based decision‑making, long‑term financial planning, and effective infrastructure management.

With a background spanning engineering, spatial information systems, and leadership, Peter brings a practical and collaborative approach to bridging the gap between technical systems and business outcomes. He is a strong advocate for capability uplift, mentoring teams, and embedding sustainable data and process improvements within organisations.
Session Info
Accurate knowledge of stormwater assets underpins sound valuation, risk management and investment planning. In preparing for our most recent stormwater revaluation, Council identified significant gaps in the documented extent and condition of the network. This presentation outlines how we uncovered hidden assets, improved data confidence, and fundamentally lifted organisational understanding of our stormwater system. Through a structured review process, Council identified approximately 20km of previously unrecorded stormwater pipes. Additionally, we identified that around 20% of the network not being valued in existing asset registers.

Addressing this required more than field discovery alone. A key innovation was a large‑scale subdivision development review of more than 700 historical development areas since around 1995. Leveraging NSW Government's historical cadastre to identify the development areas, we established a link to our corporate document management system where drawings were already held but not systematically utilised. This targeted desktop investigation allowed missing assets to be identified, spatially validated and prioritised for verification, significantly reducing reliance on ad‑hoc discovery.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

Operationalising AI in Lifecycle Planning: Data Alignment, Treatment Logic, and Validation

Thu Oct 22, 2:30pm – 2:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Asset-intensive organisations are collecting growing volumes of condition, inspection and operational data, yet many struggle to convert it into timely, risk-informed treatment decisions. This session presents a platform-agnostic framework for deploying AI across lifecycle management, covering data discovery and alignment, lifecycle logic and trigger definition, and validation and assurance. Four case studies demonstrate practical application, including AI-assisted maintenance regime definition aligned to relevant Standards.

Muhammad Fahad Khan
Muhammad Fahad Khan
Strategic Asset Management Consultant, Siemens
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Fahad Khan is a Strategic Asset Management Consultant at Siemens with extensive experience supporting asset‑intensive organisations across aviation, transport, utilities, and local government. His work focuses on enabling risk‑informed investment decisions by improving the quality, structure, and usability of asset data.

Fahad specialises in bridging the gap between asset registers, condition and performance data, lifecycle modelling, and risk‑based treatment planning, helping organisations move from compliance‑driven practices to insight‑led, decision‑grade outcomes. He has delivered and supported initiatives spanning enterprise asset data standardisation, lifecycle and renewal modelling, capital prioritisation, and long‑term financial planning.
Session Info
Asset intensive organisations collect growing volumes of condition, inspection, and operational data, yet many struggle to convert it into timely, risk informed treatment decisions. Fragmented, inconsistent and misaligned information as well as the complexities of lifecycle analysis often leads to organisations relying on tacit judgement rather than evidence based transparent decisions.

This abstract presents a platform-agnostic framework for the deployment of AI in targeted areas of the lifecycle management process. The author aims to showcase the business efficiency and improved asset strategy opportunities that exist with AI deployment. The framework focuses on three functions: (1) data discovery and alignment, (2) lifecycle logic and trigger definition, and (3) validation and assurance. Four case studies demonstrate practical application, including AI-assisted maintenance regime definition aligned to relevant Standards.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

From Stabilisation to Maturity: A Local Government Case Study in Embedding Best Practice Transport Asset Management

Thu Oct 22, 3:30pm – 3:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

This presentation draws on the real-world transformation of Armidale Regional Council (NSW), responsible for a AUD $1.2 billion transport portfolio. A comprehensive Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment revealed systemic weaknesses across governance, finance, workforce capability, maintenance practice, capital works planning and long-term sustainability. Maintenance and renewal ratios were below accepted benchmarks, backlog levels elevated, condition data inconsistent, and capital programs insufficiently aligned to lifecycle need.

Meroeh Shaker
Meroeh Shaker
Manager Transport, Armidale Regional Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Meroeh Suesser-Shaker FIEAust CPEng NER is Manager Transport at Armidale Regional Council, responsible for the strategic planning and operational delivery of transport maintenance and capital works. Her remit includes roads, bridges, and stormwater networks that enable safe movement of people and goods across the region. (Council's transport and stormwater portfolio includes 650 km sealed roads, 1,060 km unsealed roads, 141 bridges, and 119 km of stormwater pipes and pits, among other asset classes.)

Meroeh is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Australia, with over two decades leading and supporting multi-disciplinary infrastructure programs across public and private sectors. Her background includes senior leadership in local government engineering and project delivery functions, including oversight of large capital works programs and governance-driven service delivery improvements. She holds a four-year Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (2004) and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (2025).
Session Info
This presentation draws on the real-world transformation of Armidale Regional Council (NSW, Australia), responsible for a AUD $1.2 billion transport portfolio. A comprehensive Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment revealed systemic/operational weaknesses across governance, finance, workforce capability, maintenance practice, capital works planning and delivery, and long-term sustainability. Maintenance and renewal ratios were well below accepted benchmarks, backlog levels were elevated, condition data lacked consistency, and capital programs were insufficiently aligned to lifecycle need.
Stream B: Technology, Tools & Innovation

The 90-Second Defect: AI Didn't Come to the Boardroom. It Came to the Asset.

Thu Oct 22, 3:30pm – 3:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Noosa Shire Council and TechnologyOne moved past debate and embedded AI directly into three points where asset management actually breaks down — the defect log, the crew route, and pre-committee decision-making. Using real crews, real assets and a rigorous pre/post benefits framework built to withstand scrutiny, this session presents what the data showed: the gains, the surprises, and the parts that didn't go to plan.

Gladstone Brohier
Gladstone Brohier
Product General Manager, TechnologyOne
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Gladstone is the General Manager, Product for Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) at TechnologyOne, Australia's largest locally headquartered enterprise software company. He leads the product strategy and roadmap for a solution that covers all business functions of asset management — operational, tactical, and strategic — within a single, natively integrated ERP platform purpose-built for Local Government, Asset-Intensive industries, State & Federal Government, and Infrastructure. With deep experience across the full asset management lifecycle, Gladstone works closely with public sector organisations across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to align technology capability with strategic asset management outcomes. His work spans competitive positioning, capability development, and the translation of complex infrastructure challenges into practical, value-driven product solutions.
Session Info
The asset management industry has spent three years debating what AI could do. Noosa Shire Council and TechnologyOne decided to find out.

In May 2026, they embedded AI directly into three points where asset management actually breaks down — the defect log, the crew route, and the decision the asset manager has to make before Thursday's committee meeting. No proofs of concept. Real crews, real assets, real domains, real measurement.

Before a single feature was switched on at the Council, they built a pre/post benefits framework designed to withstand justification and defensibility scrutiny. This session presents what the data showed — the gains, the surprises, and the parts that didn't go to plan.
Devon Wilson
Devon Wilson
Coordinator Asset Systems, Noosa Shire Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Devon Wilson has been the Coordinator of Asset Systems for Noosa Council since 2021, leading the development and implementation of the asset management framework. This includes the Strategic Asset Management Plan, Asset Management Plans and undertaking Strategic Asset Modelling. Her team also manages the Enterprise Asset Management System (system functionality and the Asset Register) and GIS data. She is passionate about data quality, metadata and standards. Her background in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and mobile computing has led to a keen interest in the use of technology, particularly AI, to improve our knowledge of our assets and to inform decision-making.
Session Info
The asset management industry has spent three years debating what AI could do. Noosa Shire Council and TechnologyOne decided to find out.

In May 2026, they embedded AI directly into three points where asset management actually breaks down — the defect log, the crew route, and the decision the asset manager has to make before Thursday's committee meeting. No proofs of concept. Real crews, real assets, real domains, real measurement.

Before a single feature was switched on at the Council, they built a pre/post benefits framework designed to withstand justification and defensibility scrutiny. This session presents what the data showed — the gains, the surprises, and the parts that didn't go to plan.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

From Community Plan to Asset Plan: Turning Deliberation into Practical Decisions

Thu Oct 22, 3:50pm – 4:10pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

How does a small rural Council make confident, long-term decisions with limited data, constrained budgets and diverse community expectations? This presentation shares the journey of Hepburn Shire Council in strengthening its approach to asset management by connecting community priorities to practical, financially informed decisions through simple, whole-of-portfolio scenario modelling.

Lace Daniel
Lace Daniel
Manager Operations, Hepburn Shire Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Lace Daniel is the Manager Operations at Hepburn Shire Council, leading the delivery of works, parks and engineering services across a diverse rural municipality. With over 15 years' experience in local government and a strong interest in asset and maintenance management, Lace focuses on using practical data and systems to support better, long-term decision making and strengthening how Councils plan for the future.
Session Info
How does a small rural Council make confident, long-term decisions with limited data, constrained budgets and diverse community expectations? This presentation shares the journey of Hepburn Shire Council in strengthening its approach to asset management by connecting community priorities to practical, financially informed decisions. As a small rural Council without access to complex systems and datasets, Hepburn has focussed on getting the fundamentals right. Rather than treating strategic asset management as a compliance exercise, the organisation has worked to position it as a practical tool to support clearer, more transparent decision making. A key part of this journey has been linking community engagement to asset and financial planning through simple, whole-of-portfolio scenario modelling. Using fit for purpose and cost-effective tools, Council has been able to explore real-life trade-offs between service levels, risk and affordability.

These scenarios have been used both internally and with the community to support more informed conversations. Instead of presenting fixed options, throughout the engagement, Council were able to work through different funding and service choices to better understand the impact over time. This helped shift the discussion from broad aspirations to more grounded and testable decisions. Importantly, this approach is still evolving. It has not removed all the challenges around data, systems or consistency, but it has provided a clearer line of sight between community expectations, asset performance and long-term financial sustainability. The presentation will step through the engagement process, demonstrate how scenario modelling has been applied in practice, and outline how this is shaping Council's path forward. This includes a focus on service level review, asset rationalisation, improved data and systems and more integrated long-term planning.
Stream B: Technology, Tools & Innovation

From Streetlight to Smart Asset: Unlocking Commercial and Connectivity Potential in Urban Infrastructure

Thu Oct 22, 3:50pm – 4:10pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

As local authorities face mounting financial pressures and ambitious sustainability goals, the humble streetlight is evolving into a powerful, revenue-generating urban asset. This session explores how advances in policy, planning and innovation are enabling councils to unlock new revenue streams and maximise asset value — from hosting EV charge points and 5G small cells to deploying connected sensors. Drawing on real-world Connected Urban installations, it shows how multi-functional smart poles can transform lighting networks into the backbone of future-ready, commercially viable smart cities.

Keith Henry
Keith Henry
General Manager & Head of Telecoms, CU Phosco Australia Pty Ltd
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
With a career spanning over 36 years within the lighting industry, Keith Henry joined CU Phosco in February 2023 as General Manager – Lighting and Telecommunications. In April 2026, Keith was promoted to Global Head of Telecommunications, a role in addition to his management of the CU Phosco presence in Australia.

In line with the company's plans to expand overseas with a physical entity in Australia, where the company's founder CEO originated from, Keith set up the business from what had previously been managed as a partnership model.
Session Info
As local authorities face increasing financial pressures and ambitious sustainability goals, the humble streetlight is evolving into a powerful, revenue-generating urban asset.

This paper explores how advances in policy, planning, and innovation are enabling councils to unlock new revenue streams, maximise asset value, and deliver practical solutions through the intelligent evolution of their lighting infrastructure.

From hosting EV charge points and 5G small cells to deploying sensors and other connected technologies, opportunities now extend far beyond illumination. Following recent legislative changes around rooftop and street-level communications infrastructure, we'll share insights from real-world Connected Urban installations that show how multi-functional smart poles are already enabling network densification, supporting smarter mobility, and creating new commercial models for asset owners.

By shifting from passive infrastructure ownership to active asset optimisation, local authorities can transform their lighting networks into the backbone of future-ready, commercially viable smart cities.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

One Page AMPs

Thu Oct 22, 4:10pm – 4:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Asset Management Plans often sit on the shelf rather than guiding day-to-day decisions in the field. This session asks whether all the prime information from a lengthy AMP can be condensed onto a single page, or A3 sheet, for crews to reference on every job. Using a real-world road rehabilitation scenario, it shows how a One Page AMP can lead to better-informed decisions and significant capital budget savings.

Jon Charles
Jon Charles
Manager AM, Spatial and Saleyards, Southern Downs Regional Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Jon has over thirty years experience encompassing government, small business, medium business, and corporate enterprise in a variety of roles. Each role required the skills of management, problem analysis, requirement analysis and solutions development, communicating with politicians, executives, managers, and operational personnel.
Session Info
Asset Management Plans are usually 5 to 20 pages in length and often collect more time on the shelf than in the hands of our teams. Is this the best outcome for an AMP? Or would be see a greater benefit if our team referred to the AMP every day and on every job?

Is it possible to have all the prime information on one page? Yes, it may need to be a A3 sheet, but the information we need to manage our asset can be contained on one page. Does it replace the AMP? No, but the improvement in asset management outcomes are better.

Take the scenario of a crew evaluating a section of road. There are a number of issues. The Levels of Service you have determined in your AMP are mostly front of mind and the crew are making a determination. The decision that the segment needs a rehabilitation. This goes forward and programmed into your capital program. Consider if the team had picked up all aspects of your Levels of Service. The assessment could have been that the road was in a better state than assessed when all elements considered. They have pulled out the One Page AMP, made the assessment and a reseal will extend the life of the segment sufficiently until the next planned rehabilitation. Your capital budget has just been reduced for this job by up to 75%. And you remain on your planned program.
Craig Young
Craig Young
Local Government Operations, Infrastructure and Assets Executive, Noosa Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Craig is passionate about asset management and working with the front line operational teams to improve efficiency without sacrificing customer service. I have worked successfully in both front line and back office roles and strive to combine these areas for maximum benefit for the community.
Session Info
Asset Management Plans are usually 5 to 20 pages in length and often collect more time on the shelf than in the hands of our teams. Is this the best outcome for an AMP? Or would be see a greater benefit if our team referred to the AMP every day and on every job?

Is it possible to have all the prime information on one page? Yes, it may need to be a A3 sheet, but the information we need to manage our asset can be contained on one page. Does it replace the AMP? No, but the improvement in asset management outcomes are better.

Take the scenario of a crew evaluating a section of road. There are a number of issues. The Levels of Service you have determined in your AMP are mostly front of mind and the crew are making a determination. The decision that the segment needs a rehabilitation. This goes forward and programmed into your capital program. Consider if the team had picked up all aspects of your Levels of Service. The assessment could have been that the road was in a better state than assessed when all elements considered. They have pulled out the One Page AMP, made the assessment and a reseal will extend the life of the segment sufficiently until the next planned rehabilitation. Your capital budget has just been reduced for this job by up to 75%. And you remain on your planned program.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

Leveraging Idle Data to Unlock Savings

Thu Oct 22, 4:10pm – 4:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Local governments hold far more useful data than they often realise. This session shares four Council case studies demonstrating significant time and cost savings achieved across portfolios, buildings and infrastructure, showcasing how existing data can be leveraged to unlock measurable outcomes.

Derek Huynh
Derek Huynh
Director | Digital Innovation Lead, ADP Consulting
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Derek leads ADP Consulting's Digital Innovation team, helping Councils use existing data to reduce costs and accelerate decision-making. With a background in architecture, he combines design thinking, engineering, and technology to deliver faster, clearer, and more cost-effective asset outcomes.
Session Info
Local governments hold far more useful data than they often realise. This presentation shares four Council case studies that demonstrate the significant time and cost savings being achieved across portfolios, buildings, and infrastructure. We intends to co-present with the relevant Councils - subject to our ongoing conversations confirming each of their availabilities to attend.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

Structuring your Asset Management Department

Thu Oct 22, 4:30pm – 4:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

This presentation will discuss four models for structuring the asset management team, how work flows, training using the IPWEA courses and defining what the scope of your team could or should include.

Ashley Bishop
Ashley Bishop
Strategic Asset Management Mentor
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Ashley Bishop is a member of the IPWEA asset management committee and has recently retired from being the Coordinator - Strategic Asset Management for Manningham City Council in Victoria. Ashley has considerable experience in the Public Sector commencing at the MMBW in Engineering and Computing progressing through Administration and Training, with similar experience in the private sector, TAFE and at Deakin University. Commencing in Asset Management in 2002 setting up the asset management system, the development and implementation of Asset Management and Service Plans and Practices, Capital Works Evaluation and program development and valuations. He was a key member of the assets team at Glenelg Shire and Warrnambool City Councils and the lone operator at Benalla Rural City and helped out at Murrindindi Shire as part of the disaster relief operation. He has a passion for developing Asset Management as a recognised field of study and promoting the use of standard procedures and practices across the industry and the strength of regional forums to discuss asset management issues. Ashley has professional qualifications in Human Resources, Training and Development, Defence Studies and in Infrastructure and Engineering Management and held a commission as an engineer officer in the Australian Army Reserve.
Session Info
Asset Management is often centred on a group of people with an organisation, the scope of this responsibility is also varied between organisations. While many of the tools developed for asset management are adequate for the job, the structure of the asset management team and how that fits to an organisation might be the roadblock to successful asset management practice. This presentation will discuss four models for structuring the asset management team, how work flows, training using the IPWEA courses and defining what the scope of your team could or should include, by presenting a centralised and a decentralised approach to staffing but having the same functionality attached to the positions. It also discusses options to increase the span of responsibilities, including maintenance and service planning to make more coherent asset management planning. It also offers up suggestions for a complete restructure and a radical staffing approach.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

From Strategy to Value: Organisational and Systems Approaches to Operationalising Asset Management

Thu Oct 22, 4:30pm – 4:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

International frameworks like ISO 55000, GFMAM and the IAM Anatomy of Asset Management have strengthened the strategic foundations of asset management, yet many organisations still struggle to translate strategy into operational outcomes. This session explores a progressive approach to this challenge — starting with the organisational foundations of leadership, governance and culture, then introducing a systems approach that connects strategy, lifecycle planning, risk and financial decision-making across the enterprise.

Dharmen Dhaliah
Dharmen Dhaliah
Author and Thought Leader in Organisation-Wide Asset Management, DYD Services Inc.
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Dharmen Dhaliah is an infrastructure asset management leader, advisor, and author with over two decades of experience in infrastructure and asset-intensive organizations across municipal, utility, and private sector environments. He serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the PEMAC Asset Management Association of Canada and is a Certified Asset Management Assessor (CAMA), contributing to the advancement of asset management practices in Canada and internationally.

Dharmen is the author of Physical Asset Management – An Organizational Challenge and Organization-Wide Physical Asset Management - A Systems Approach, which introduce frameworks for integrating organizational leadership, systems thinking, and lifecycle decision-making across asset-intensive organizations.
Session Info
International frameworks such as the ISO 55000 Asset Management Standard, the GFMAM Asset Management Landscape, and the IAM Anatomy of Asset Management have significantly strengthened the strategic foundations of asset management. However, many organizations continue to face a persistent challenge: translating asset management strategies, policies, and plans into operational decisions that deliver measurable outcomes and organizational value. This presentation explores a progressive approach to addressing this challenge through three complementary perspectives.

The first perspective focuses on the organizational foundations of asset management, emphasizing the critical role of leadership, governance, culture, and cross-functional alignment in enabling effective asset management practices. Building on this foundation, the second perspective introduces a systems approach, positioning asset management as an integrated organization-wide system that connects strategy, lifecycle planning, risk management, financial decision-making, and operational activities across the enterprise.

Day 2 Friday, 23 October 2026

Early Morning Walkshop

Summit Day 2 Program Starts
8:00am 9:00am
Food, Drinks & Networking

Breakfast

Exhibition Hall

Concurrent Stream Session #1 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #2 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #3 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

Concurrent Stream Session #1 Choose Stream A OR Choose Stream B

2:30pm 3:00pm
Food, Drinks & Networking

Afternoon Tea

Exhibition Hall

Walkshop

Healthy Active by Design - Walkshop

Fri Oct 23, 6:30am – 8:00am | Meeting Place
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Overview

The Heart Foundation has prepared an excellent route with planned stops to observe and discuss a range of walkability features. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing (conference attire is fine) and walking shoes. The Walkshop will proceed in light rain, so please bring a raincoat and/or umbrella. In the event of heavy rain, the Walkshop will be cancelled.

Meeting Point: Rydges Melbourne Hotel Lobby
Meet: 6:20am
Return: Approximately 8:00am
Distance: Approximately 3km
Pace: Brisk pace; relatively flat route

Register Here

Anna Gurnhill
Anna Gurnhill
Advisor, Active Living | National Heart Foundation of Australia
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Anna is a cultural geographer. Through her work she seeks to create meaningful connections between people and places. She's passionate about human and planetary health, and is a strong advocate for active living, sustainability and spending time in nature. Anna has a background in active transport, bicycle tourism and cultural geography. She has worked at all levels of government and in the private sector.
Session Info
This interactive Walkshop is an opportunity to observe and discuss streetscape walkability through practical observation and user perspective. Participants will be able to apply learnings with community, colleagues and decision makers. The Walkshop will identify the cross-sector approach needed to design and deliver healthy built environments and to manage assets in ways that contribute to liveability. It will explore ways to break silos and achieve shared measures of success. The Walkshop will commence at the conference venue. An overview will be provided, including introduction to Healthy Active by Design. These principles will guide the Walkshop content. A 3-3.5km route will showcase a range of walkability features. The Walkshop will encourage participants to see and experience the area differently while contributing their own perspectives and expertise. We will stop at pre-defined points to highlight positive examples of walkability and healthy environments, discuss where improvements could be made and what participants might do differently and explain how the feature contributes to healthy urban outcomes. There will be a short debrief on return to the conference venue. This will allow further opportunities for participants to share observations and ask questions. https://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/

Networking Breakfast

Fri Oct 23, 8:00am – 9:00am Exhibition Hall
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Overview

Join us on Day Two from 8:00am! Grab a light breakfast and fresh coffee before sessions begin.

Food, Drinks & Networking

Morning Tea sponsored by Graffiti Scanner

Fri Oct 23, 10:30am – 11:00am | Exhibition Hall
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Overview

Head to the Exhibition Hall, catch up with exhibitors, and begin collecting stamps in your Exhibitor Passport for a chance to win!

Sponsored by

Graffiti Scanner
Graffiti Scanner
About
About
Urban Trace Systems is the Australian technology company behind Graffiti Scanner, an intelligence platform changing how graffiti is understood and managed. For councils and infrastructure operators, graffiti is often a costly cycle: report it, remove it, close the job, then deal with it again when it returns. Graffiti Scanner turns fragmented reports and evidence across different organisations into connected intelligence, revealing hotspots, recurring activity, patterns and cleanup burden over time. It helps asset owners better prioritise resources and preventative measures, collaborate across boundaries, and support police investigations into prolific and repeat graffiti offenders.
Session Info
Head to the Exhibition Hall for Morning Tea. Enjoy a bite to eat, catch up with exhibitors, and begin collecting stamps in your Exhibitor Passport for a chance to win!

International Plenary Session

Fri Oct 23, 9:00am – 10:30am | Meeting Place
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Overview

Focus on Capacity Building and Development of Asset Management in Jurisdictions Around the World


Session Sponsor:

Paul Hamer
Hon. Paul Hamer MP
Minister for Roads and Road Safety
Minister's Address
Session Info
Session Info
Hear from Hon. Paul Hamer MP, Minister for Roads and Road Safety, as he delivers the Minister's Address.
Kyle Wedberg
Dr Kyle Wedberg
Senior Manager, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
Keynote Speaker
Biography Session Info
Biography
Kyle has a professional career that has focused on government, education, and public service. He began his career as a City Year AmeriCorps volunteer in Boston, MA and later joined the staff and led new site development and the startup of City Year Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Johannesburg, and Los Angeles. He has served as a Senior Budget Analyst in the Office of Budget and Management for the City of Chicago; Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the School District of Philadelphia; Chief Administrative Officer of the Louisiana Recovery School District; and President and Chief Executive Officer of NOCCA-a performing and visual arts high school and agency of the State of Louisiana- where he was recognized as outstanding national art school leader in 2017. Since 2022, Kyle has been with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) leading research and work in public finance including Capital Planning, Asset Management, Education, and providing Advisory Services for governments in multiple areas. Among his civic commitments: Kyle is past chair of the New Orleans City Planning Commission, Volunteer Louisiana, and the National Art Schools Network; a National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) Fellow and Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) Fellow; and was an Aspen/Pahara Fellow, a Norman C. Francis Leadership Fellow, and a Coro Fellow.
Session Info
A global discussion on strengthening asset management through capacity building and development featuring individual presentations from international speakers followed by a panel discussion.
NA
Nicole Allen
P.Eng., M.Sc., Executive Director NAMS Canada Inc
International
Biography Session Info
Biography
With more than 15 years of experience supporting Canadian municipalities and organizations of all sizes, Nicole has built a career grounded in deep understanding of the diverse realities facing rural, urban, remote, First Nation, and Indigenous communities across the country. Her work spans all tiers of government and includes extensive relationships with communities of practice and local governments from coast to coast to coast. Nicole is a recognized expert in Infrastructure Asset Management and brings real‑world implementation experience and a strong commitment to sustainable service delivery. Her approach emphasizes strategic alignment—integrating climate adaptation, risk management, financial planning, emerging technologies, and natural asset management to support informed, resilient decision‑making.
Session Info
A global discussion on strengthening asset management through capacity building and development featuring individual presentations from international speakers followed by a panel discussion.
Adam Thomas
Nick Leggett
Chief Executive, Infrastructure New Zealand
International
Biography Session Info
Biography
Nick Leggett commenced in the role of Chief Executive of Infrastructure New Zealand in April 2023. Previously Chief Executive of the road transport industry peak body, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, Nick’s professional career has always centred around the need for quality and sustainable infrastructure. As Mayor of Porirua City between 2010-2016 he understands the need for great infrastructure to power opportunities for people and provide a bedrock for economic growth and social progress. Nick is strongly of the view that Aotearoa New Zealand must be bolder in its funding, investment and scale of world leading infrastructure projects. We must collectively encourage and welcome a more diverse range of people into the industry to deliver on this.
Session Info
A global discussion on strengthening asset management through capacity building and development featuring individual presentations from international speakers followed by a panel discussion.
GC
Geoff Cooper
Chief Executive, NZ Infrastructure Commission - Te Waihanga
International
Biography Session Info
Biography
Geoff Cooper is the Chief Executive at Te Waihanga. He has a background in global policy having worked for the United States Federal Reserve, the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development, and the United Nations. He is a former Chief Economist for both PwC and Auckland Council, where he worked on infrastructure, housing, regulation, and financial policy, including business case development for Auckland’s City Rail Link. At Te Waihanga, Geoff was previously the General Manager of Strategy where he had purview over research capabilities, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, and development of the New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy. He holds a Master of Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University.
Session Info
A global discussion on strengthening asset management through capacity building and development featuring individual presentations from international speakers followed by a panel discussion.
PLENARY

Plenary and a Panel

Fri Oct 23, 11:00am - 12:10pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Explore how stronger asset management capability, climate risk insights, and green infrastructure strategies can help build more resilient and sustainable infrastructure outcomes.

Plenary Session 1: Advancing Asset Management Capability Across Queensland

Recognising the need to strengthen asset management capability across Queensland, Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) have joined forces under the QTC Education Program.

Plenary Speakers

Rory Barlow
Rory Barlow
Director, Education Programs and Capability Uplift, Queensland Treasury Corporation
Keynote
Biography
Biography
Rory Barlow is the Director, Education Programs and Capability Uplift at Queensland Treasury Corporation. Rory leads QTC Education, working closely with state and local government to strengthen financial management and decision‑making across the public sector. He brings deep experience from senior roles across Queensland's public sector with a career focused on translating strategy into practical outcomes. In his current role, Rory oversees QTC Education delivered in partnership with leading education providers, supporting public sector professionals across Queensland to build capability where it matters most. Rory is passionate about impactful capability uplift, particularly supporting regional and remote councils to access high‑quality professional development that strengthens decision‑making and delivers value to Queensland communities.
Session Info
Advancing Asset Management Capability Across Queensland. More session info will be released soon.
JJ
Jonathan Jones
Head of Education, IPWEA
Keynote
Biography
Biography
Jonathan is the Head of Education at IPWEA. His experience spans almost 2 decades in adult education and learning and development across the finance, not-for-profit and education sectors, working for organisations such as Commonwealth Bank, Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM@UNSW Sydney), Sydney School of Entrepreneurship and Mission Australia. Prior to this, Jonathan worked as a corporate recruiter. During Jonathan’s career, he has scoped and implemented a wide range of initiatives to enhance employee and student learning and organisational improvement.
Session Info
Advancing Asset Management Capability Across Queensland. More session info will be released soon.

Plenary Session 2: From Climate Risk to Resilient Assets

An overview of the Infrastructure Victoria report: Warning Signs: Climate Risks to Victoria's Infrastructure

Panelists

Dr Jonathan Spear
Dr Jonathan Spear
Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Victoria
Keynote | Panelist
Biography
Biography
Jonathan leads the organisation’s work on Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy, research program and provision of independent advice to the Victorian Government. Before joining Infrastructure Victoria in 2015, Jonathan held senior executive roles with the Victorian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Justice, Victoria Police and Slater and Gordon Lawyers. Jonathan holds a Doctor of Philosophy in History, Executive Master of Public Administration, Master of Laws, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Honours). He is also a legal practitioner, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Williamson Community Leadership Program, and a director of the Melbourne Forum.

Panel: Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience

Join our panel as they explore how infrastructure organisations can build climate resilience into asset planning and delivery, drawing on landscape architecture, asset management practice, and real-world project experience.

Panelists

Steve Verity
Steve Verity
Principal Advisor - Asset Management, IPWEA
Panelist
Biography
Biography
Steve is an Emeritus member of IPWEA with over 35 years' experience in infrastructure and asset management across public and private sectors. He is active on multiple standards committees and working groups, and serves as IPWEA's representative on the Global Forum on Maintenance and Asset Management. Steve applies strong planning, risk, and funding approaches to support sustainable service delivery. He has also contributed to research and infrastructure performance reporting initiatives that strengthen evidence-based decision-making. He brings practical insight, broad experience, and a commitment to mentoring others in developing asset management capability.
CC
Chris Champion
Director, Landscape Foundation of Australia
Panelist
Biography
Biography
As a President, Chair, Non-Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Champion brings lifelong experience to the municipal government, public works, engineering and not-for-profit sectors. He is a past president and Board Chair of Engineers Australia. Following a successful 30 years in local government, Chris led the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) as CEO for 15 years to become a global leader in sustainable approaches to infrastructure asset management. Chris has had a significant international career. He has established NAMS Canada for IPWEA as Director International and Executive Chair and is a past president and the current Secretary General of the International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME). Chris has had a career-long interest in the public domain, our professions and contributing to the community.
CC
Lucy Packham
Resilient AM and Investment Project Manager, City of Melbourne
Panelist
Biography
Biography
Lucy Packham is a climate change adaptation  professional with a background in Law and Environmental Science and over 10 years’ experience working at the intersection of climate risk, resilience and infrastructure policy. Most recently, Lucy was Climate Change Risk Lead at the City of Melbourne, where she led the development of sustainable and climate-resilient asset management policies, standards and climate risk assessment approaches. She is also the winner of the IPWEA Rita Excell Women in Asset Management Scholarship. Lucy now manages the ‘Resilient Asset Management and Investment (RAMI)’ project across the M9 Alliance, bringing together nine inner-metro Melbourne councils to strengthen how climate risk and resilience are integrated into asset management and investment decisions.
Food, Drinks & Networking

Lunch sponsored by TechnologyOne

Fri Oct 23, 12:10pm – 1:10pm | Exhibition Hall
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Overview

Enjoy lunch in the Exhibition Hall. Take the opportunity to engage with exhibitors and finalise your Exhibitor Passport before the prize draw.

Sponsored by

TechnologyOne
TechnologyOne
About
About
TechnologyOne is Australia's largest enterprise SaaS provider and is an ASX100-listed company. Across Australia and New Zealand, 86% of the population lives in a council served by TechnologyOne software. Councils partner with TechnologyOne to simplify operations and deliver smarter community services. Its flagship industry solution, OneCouncil, supports council operations including finance, procurement, asset management and human resources. As the only true SaaS provider, TechnologyOne delivers faster implementation, continuous innovation, and lower total cost of ownership.
Session Info
Recharge in the Exhibition Hall with Afternoon Tea. It’s a great time to revisit exhibitors and make the most of day one!
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

The Asset Manager and the AI Co-Worker

Fri Oct 23, 1:10pm – 1:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Michael Mills takes the stage for a live, unscripted conversation with "Mic", an AI co-worker purpose-built for fleet and asset maintenance operations. Together they explore real-world asset management challenges, from maintenance decision-making to operational coordination. This keynote offers a tangible, forward-looking view of AI as an embedded co-worker in everyday asset management.

Michael_Mills
Michael Mills
General Manager - Heavy Vehicle Innovation and Advocacy , FleetGuru.ai
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Michael is an accomplished asset management and operations practitioner, with over 25 of experience in a variety of maintenance, leadership and strategy roles. With a career spanning multiple sectors, Michael has been involved in the management of a diverse range of fleets including off-road Mining, Mobile Cranes, Road Logistics, Civil equipment and Heavy Haulage. Holding a mechanical trade background and a Diploma of Leadership, Michael has also completed a Leadership Development Program with Mt Eliza Business School and is currently undertaking a MBA with the University of Newcastle. With a focus on the Heavy Vehicle and asset sector, Michael’s mission is to improve safety and efficiency with the use of innovative technology and advocacy.
Session Info
A live, on-stage conversation between Michael and AI. What does it actually look like to work alongside AI in asset management? In this highly original, no-slides keynote, Michael takes the stage with "Mic", an intelligent AI co-worker purpose-built for fleet and asset maintenance operations. Rather than presenting theory or delivering a traditional product demonstration, this session centres on a live, unscripted conversation between Michael and Mic. Together, they explore real-world asset management challenges from maintenance decision-making and cost optimisation to operational coordination and workflow execution.

This keynote offers a tangible, forward-looking view of how AI will reshape asset management, not as a distant concept, but as an embedded co-worker within everyday operations. This is not a presentation about AI. It is a live experience of the future of work.

Abstract Sessions

Fri Oct 23, 1:10pm – 2:30pm Meeting Place
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Overview

Join in our abstract sessions.

Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

Networks Don't Fail all at Once - They Deteriorate Whilst Waiting

Fri Oct 23, 1:30pm – 1:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Transport for NSW operates in a highly complex environment where investment decisions must contend with uncertainty, interdependencies and operational variability across rail systems. This session explores how structured experimentation principles can support more robust decision-making, using representative rail investment scenarios to show how systematic exploration of interacting factors can strengthen confidence under uncertainty. While framed around rail investment, the approach is broadly applicable to other complex engineered and digital systems.

James Carroll
James Carroll
Former Heavy Rail Control System Specialist, Transport for NSW
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
James Carroll is undertaking UNSW Canberra–led research into interaction-driven deterioration modelling and renewal intelligence, under the supervision of Dr Keith Joiner. His work examines how a renewal intelligence framework can support long-term asset renewal decisions by improving visibility of uncertainty and interaction effects across the asset lifecycle. He has delivered decision-support and analytical frameworks across transport, mining and public-sector environments, including recent work supporting Transport for NSW investment appraisal in complex, uncertainty-driven contexts. His work does not assume the use of specific tools; rather, it focuses on a decision framework that can be applied over existing analytical and asset management practices, with an emphasis on governance-aligned application that complements established planning and assurance approaches rather than introducing prescriptive tools or methodologies.
Session Info
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) operates in a highly complex environment where investment decisions must contend with uncertainty, interdependencies, and operational variability across rail systems. Conventional evaluation approaches—including deterministic modelling, point-estimate analysis, and expert judgement—often struggle to adequately represent these dynamics in complex, interacting systems.

This paper explores the application of structured experimentation principles to support more robust decision-making in such contexts. Using representative rail investment scenarios, it illustrates how systematic exploration of interacting factors can improve understanding of system behaviour and sensitivity without increasing model complexity or fragility.

While the primary focus is on rail investment, the approach is framed generically and is applicable to other complex engineered and digital systems where configuration choices and interactions materially influence outcomes. The intent is not to prescribe a specific modelling technique, but to examine how disciplined experimentation can complement existing analytical practices and strengthen confidence in decisions made under uncertainty.

This work forms part of ongoing research at UNSW Canberra under the supervision of Dr Keith Joiner, examining how structured analytical approaches can be applied across transport and digital system environments to support more consistent and defensible governance. AI tools may be used to assist with drafting and refinement; all analysis, design decisions, and conclusions remain the author's.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

Managing Sustainable Local Government Infrastructure Assets

Fri Oct 23, 1:30pm – 1:50pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Infrastructure asset management requires a systematic, coordinated approach to ensure the longevity, efficiency and sustainability of built infrastructure. With Australia having experienced catastrophic infrastructure failures due to natural disasters, ageing assets and underinvestment, climate resilience must be embedded into long-term asset management and financial planning. This session explores how AUS-SPEC national specifications can support life cycle management, sustainable construction practices and procurement strategies across the infrastructure asset life cycle.

Nandini Mehta
Nandini Mehta
AUS-SPEC Manager, NATSPEC
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Nandini Mehta manages the AUS-SPEC, the national technical specifications for local government at NATSPEC, the national building specification organisation. Nandini is a civil structural engineer with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry in Australia and overseas. She has developed various technical documentation for various infrastructure assets including roads, buildings, parks and public utilities, and has expertise in the construction and maintenance of the built environment. She actively participates at the IPWEA International and State Conferences, various industry forums and review of National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) Best Practice Guides, Standards, Austroads publications, IPWEA Practice Notes and IIMM. She is a Board member of the Streets Opening and Coordination Council, Presenter for Managing Sealed and Unsealed Roads workshops conducted by IPWEA NSW & ACT, ex-Secretary of Metro North Regional Chapter and member of the IPWEA NSW Women in Public Works Panel.
Session Info
Infrastructure asset management involves a comprehensive approach to ensure the longevity, efficiency and sustainability of built infrastructure and services. It requires a systematic and coordinated set of activities to deliver cost effective outcomes for the life cycle management of assets.

Australia has experienced catastrophic infrastructure failures due to natural disasters, ageing assets and underinvestment in maintenance. These failures have a widespread impact on essential services and highlight the need for resilient infrastructure. Climate resilience needs to be incorporated into long term asset management and financial plans.

This presentation will highlight how AUS-SPEC national local government specification documentation can assist in the following: Life cycle management; the selection of appropriate construction practices and implementing sustainable practices; and procurement strategies to achieve sustainability targets in the infrastructure asset life cycle.

Afternoon Tea

Fri Oct 23, 2:30pm – 3:00pm Exhibition Hall
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Overview

Wrap up the day in the Exhibition Hall with Afternoon Tea. Final chance to complete your Exhibitor Passport.

Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, But You've Got Me Starting in Pompeii

Fri Oct 23, 1:50pm – 2:10pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Cam Martin shares his personal journey into local government and Cessnock City Council's journey into "real" Asset Management, with real outcomes. Delivered in an engaging, funny and empathetic style, this session explores the importance of building relationships with senior executives — and why people, not processes, are the real driver of sustainable change in Asset Management.

Cam Martin
Cam Martin
Asset Planning Manager, Cessnock City Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Cam Martin was first exposed to "real" leadership in his early twenties as a member of the Australian Defence Force, where his 15-year military career included multiple overseas deployments. A plumber by trade, his move into Asset Management came about almost by accident, and he has since become a seasoned senior leader known for getting results rather than chasing self-promotion. Cam rates situational awareness and social intelligence as the most important skills in the industry, and brings a refreshing, no-nonsense energy to the stage — a welcome departure from the painfully boring presentations many delegates have sat through in the past.
Session Info
This session shares Cam's personal journey into local government, and Cessnock City Council's journey into "real" Asset Management, with real outcomes. Cam discusses the importance of building relationships with senior executives and how to influence their decision-making, delivered in a presentation style that's engaging, funny and empathetic. Having spent three and a half years in the LG industry, Cam brings a left-field perspective that delegates describe as refreshing, entertaining and insightful, while questioning why some traditional structures still operate in their current form. At the heart of his message is a simple idea: people are the difference, and building, supporting and growing your team — both personally and professionally — is the real sustainability factor in Asset Management.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

Advancing Asset Management: People, Places, Processes and the Technology that Connects Them

Fri Oct 23, 1:50pm – 2:10pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Advancing asset management isn't just about better systems or more data — it's about turning practice into performance by connecting people, place-based decisions, and repeatable processes through practical technology. Drawing on real-world experience with Australian councils, this session explores how asset management maturity is built when capability, local context, governance, and digital tools work together to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable services under growing pressure.

Stephen Hegedus
Stephen Hegedus
Partner/Board Chair, Shepherd
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Stephen Hegedus is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer and Partner at SHEPHERD, with extensive leadership experience in local government, including roles as Director of Engineering Services and Chief Executive Officer. He is a recognised industry leader in strategic and practical asset management and is a member of the IPWEA Asset Management Committee. Stephen works with Councils to improve infrastructure performance, strengthen financial sustainability, and deliver practical asset management outcomes for communities.
Session Info
Advancing asset management is not just about better systems or more data. It is about turning practice into performance by connecting people, place-based decisions, and repeatable processes through practical technology. Drawing on real-world experience with Australian councils, this presentation will show how asset management maturity is built when capability, local context, governance, and digital tools work together.

Local governments and asset owners are under growing pressure to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable services with constrained budgets, ageing infrastructure, and increasing climate risk. In this environment, lasting results come from strengthening the relationship between the people who make decisions, the places they serve, and the processes that guide investment, maintenance, and renewal.

From a people perspective, the presentation will explore how capability frameworks, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration help engineers, finance teams, field crews, and executives interpret data consistently and act with confidence. From a places perspective, it will examine how regional and remote councils can use fit-for-purpose tools such as GIS-based asset registers, mobile inspection systems, imagery, and sensors to respond to local service levels, environmental conditions, and resilience challenges. From a processes perspective, it will highlight the importance of practical data governance, lifecycle planning, risk-based prioritisation, and integrated workflows that turn raw data into decision-ready programs.
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

The State of AI in Local Government: 2026 Benchmark Insights

Fri Oct 23, 2:10pm – 2:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

Everyone is talking about AI, but what’s actually happening inside council workplaces right now? For the first time, we now have real evidence. This session reveals the inaugural sector wide benchmark of AI adoption, drawn from more than 2,500 staff across 22 Victorian councils. We’ll unpack what the data really shows: which tools staff are using in their day to day work, where capability is accelerating, where the risks are emerging, and the system wide trends that will shape the next wave of local government AI maturity. You’ll hear what staff say they need, what leaders are prioritising, and the practical insights every council can take back to inform their next steps.

Lisa Ippolito
Lisa Ippolito
AI Enablement Lead, Whitehorse City Council
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Lisa is the AI Enablement lead at Whitehorse City Council, where she’s focused on making local government work smarter, faster, and more purposefully. With deep expertise in process improvement and digital transformation, she’s now applying that same mindset to the possibilities of AI.
Session Info
Everyone is talking about AI, but what’s actually happening inside council workplaces right now? For the first time, we now have real evidence. This session reveals the inaugural sector wide benchmark of AI adoption, drawn from more than 2,500 staff across 22 Victorian councils. We’ll unpack what the data really shows: which tools staff are using in their day to day work, where capability is accelerating, where the risks are emerging, and the system wide trends that will shape the next wave of local government AI maturity. You’ll hear what staff say they need, what leaders are prioritising, and the practical insights every council can take back to inform their next steps.
Stream B: Technology, Systems & Delivery

AI Assisted Operations - The Future of the Public Works Profession

Fri Oct 23, 2:10pm – 2:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

AI Assisted Operations - The Future of the Public Works Profession is focused on how to greatly increase productivity by managing resources differently in this age of AI. It will cover the various interests related to Digital transformation and data-driven decision-making, Capability and workforce development, Technology, AI, and Asset Intelligence and Governance, policy, and strategic planning. A central theme will be how to build in accuracy, trust, and data security without AI agent sprawl

Lynnette Terrett
Lynnette Terrett
Spatial Technologies Director, RapidMap
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Lynnette Terrett is a founding Director of RapidMap, bringing over 34 years of expertise in advancing spatial technology solutions to capture asset data to ensure Infrastructure owners have accurate information they can trust to support asset management activities and decision-making processes. Renowned for pioneering GPS/GNSS into the Australian market with computer integration since the early 1990s, she has been instrumental in transforming field surveying practices to ensure quality, speed and accuracy in asset data collection by leveraging advanced geospatial technologies. Following 911 in the USA, Lyn was the Director of Spatial Technologies for the National Geographic-Maps division, to underpin Homeland Security, Critical Infrastructure, Emergency and the Intelligence sectors with rapid mapping solutions developed by RapidMap. Under her leadership, RapidMap has launched innovative spatial technology products, applications, and GIS services to ensure asset registers, ERPs, and EAMS and now AI have quality data to empower field and office users.
Session Info
AI Assisted Operations - The Future of the Public Works Profession is focused on how to greatly increase productivity by managing resources differently in this age of AI. It will cover the various interests related to Digital transformation and data-driven decision-making, Capability and workforce development, Technology, AI, and Asset Intelligence and Governance, policy, and strategic planning. A central theme will be how to build in accuracy, trust, and data security without AI agent sprawl
Stream A: Strategy, Service & Stewardship

Operations Essentials: Nailing the Basics and Fixing the Essential Resources Needed to get the Job Done

Fri Oct 23, 1:10pm – 1:30pm | Meeting Place
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Overview

This session presents a case study of TasWater's Operations Essentials program, exploring how upskilling staff with formal change management training has driven positive asset management outcomes. TasWater operates 59 water treatment plants and 110 sewage treatment plants across Tasmania, serving close to 576,000 people. The presentation looks at how the program — one of TasWater's Top 5 organisational priorities — is helping the utility work smarter, improve consistency and deliver better outcomes for staff, the business and customers.

Adela Parnell
Adela Parnell
Operations Essentials Change Lead | Senior Planning Engineer, TasWater
Presenter
Biography Session Info
Biography
Adela Parnell is an engineer with a varied career, with experience both in consulting and working at TasWater, the statewide water and sewerage authority in Tasmania. Whilst her time at TasWater has seen her achieve nearly as many job titles as years of service, she has primarily been working within the sphere of asset management. In 2026 she took a leap into TasWater Operations as part of a secondment opportunity to be an Operations Essentials Change Lead, valuing the chance to work within a different part of the business. Her volunteer shadow career has led her to hold various office-bearer positions at both Engineers Australia and IPWEA.
Session Info
This presentation is a case study of the Operations Essentials program at TasWater, and how upskilling staff with formal change management training has led to positive asset management outcomes within the utility. TasWater, the state-wide water and sewerage authority for Tasmania, maintains and operates 59 water treatment plants and 110 sewage treatment plants in a state with a population of nearly 576,000 people (approx. 10% of the population of Melbourne). It is an organisation born from a legacy of reform, bringing with it both challenges and opportunities. The Operations Essentials program is one of TasWater's Top 5 organisational priorities. Its focus is about working smarter, improving consistency, and achieving better outcomes for staff, the bottom line, and customers.
DEBATE

The Great Debate: Will AI Replace Asset Managers Within 10 Years?

Fri Oct 23, 3:00pm – 4:00pm Meeting Place
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Overview

As artificial intelligence becomes faster, smarter and more deeply embedded in infrastructure decision-making, the role of the asset manager is being challenged as never before. Join us for a lively, provocative debate as two sides discuss the limits of technology, professional judgement and human experience, and decide whether AI will become the asset manager’s greatest tool, or its ultimate replacement.

The Great Debate: Will AI Replace Asset Managers Within 10 Years?

Team Against

Megan Finnie
Megan Finnie
Senior Asset Manager, Fulton Hogan
Team Against
Biography
Biography
Megan works for Fulton Hogan as a Senior Asset Manager, developing and implementing asset management solutions across the business. With over 15 years’ experience in asset management, she is currently leading the development of the third period works program for a major road maintenance contract in Sydney, helping to shape long-term investment, maintenance, and renewal strategies that support the performance and sustainability of critical road infrastructure across the city.

Prior to joining Fulton Hogan, Megan spent more than six years in local government in a range of asset management roles, with responsibility for road asset management and the delivery of strategic asset management initiatives across the organisation.

Megan is a Director on the IPWEA NSW & ACT board where she champions diversity within the industry. She is passionate about advancing best practice asset management and delivering practical, data-driven solutions that maximise asset performance and value.
Robert Scott
Robert Scott
Director Infrastructure and Engineering Services, MidCoast Council
Team Against
Biography
Biography
Rob Scott is a senior infrastructure leader in NSW local government, specialising in civil engineering, water utilities, and asset management. He’s currently the Director of Infrastructure & Engineering Services at MidCoast Council, responsible for delivering essential services across transport, water, sewer and more. Known for his direct, collaborative approach, he’s passionate about sharing knowledge to improve outcomes for communities.
Nicola Daaboul
Nicola Daaboul
Principal Consultant, Modelve
Team Against
Biography
Biography
Nicola Daaboul is a Principal Asset Management Consultant with Modelve and a Non-Executive Director of the Asset Management Council. With more than 18 years of experience in infrastructure asset management, Nicola has worked across local government, consulting and technology sectors, helping organisations improve service outcomes, financial sustainability and asset performance. A Master-qualified infrastructure professional and CAMA2/CSAM practitioner, she has led asset management transformation programs globally and is recognised for her practical approach to aligning organisational strategy, investment planning and community outcomes. Nicola is a former Board Director of IPWEA NSW and remains a passionate advocate for advancing asset management capability across the industry.

Team For

Sam Romaszko
Sam Romaszko
Director City Futures, Melton City Council
Team For
Biography
Biography
As Director of City Futures at Melton City Council, one of Victoria’s fastest growing municipalities, Sam is known for strategic thinking and passion for creating high performing teams. She is an experienced Infrastructure Leader with over 17 years’ experience and a demonstrated history of working in the local government industry. Sam has led a range of impactful strategic initiatives and developed capability and commitment among stakeholders to deliver improved performance and service delivery outcomes. Environmental, social, cultural and economic wellbeing are at the forefront, with a passion for creating high quality places for communities. Sam holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from RMIT University and is a Chartered Engineer.
John Devine
John Devine
General Manager City Infrastructure, City of Salisbury
Team For
Biography
Biography
John is an IPWEA Fellow, member of IPWEA’s National Asset Management Committee, and past SA Board Member. Currently John is General Manager, City Infrastructure at the City of Salisbury. He is an energetic, hands-on leader, demonstrating strong strategic decision making and a passion for innovation and improvement. John’s senior line and consulting experience cover both private and public sectors.
Steven White
Steven White
Director Infrastructure and Sustainability, Whitehorse City Council
Team For
Biography
Biography
Steven is the Director Environment and Sustainability at Whitehorse City Council. He is a registered civil engineer and has had a career in local government where he has held senior leadership positions across a number of municipalities since 1998. He is a Fellow of IPWEA, has served on the IPWEA Vic Board and was appointed a Trustee for the Municipal Engineering Foundation in 2021. Steven is an active participant and contributor to sector organisations and events with the aim of providing people with learning, development and career advancement opportunities. In 2022, Steven was awarded the IPWEA Victoria Public Works Leadership Award and at the IPWEA International Public Works Conference in 2024, was announced as the Public Works Engineer of the Year.

Facilitator

David Hallett
David Hallett
CEO, IPWEA Victoria
Facilitator
Biography
Biography
David is the CEO of IPWEA Vic division.