Conference Agenda

Ministerial Address

Hon. David Michael MLA, Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Finance; Electoral Affairs;, Goldfields-Esperance

Speed Networking

Introduce yourself, swap business cards, and form new and lasting business connections during a series of one-on-one exchanges with fellow conference delegates.

DevelopmentWA’s Current Projects … and a Look to the Future

• Looking at DevelopmentWA’s pipeline projects

Andrew Williams, Chief Operations Officer, DevelopmentWA

Building WA’s Health Infrastructure: Major Projects Shaping the Future of Care

• Western Australia is investing heavily in health infrastructure to support a growing and ageing population, deliver modern models of care, and enhance regional health equity
• New Women and Babies Hospital in Perth to replace King Edward Memorial Hospital, co-located at QEII Medical Centre.
• The Bunbury Regional Hospital Redevelopment, Joondalup Health Campus Expansion, Royal Perth Hospital Mental Health Observation, and WA Country Health Service projects include significant upgrades to regional hospitals and health campuses.

Dr. Shirley Bowen, Director General, WA Health

FIRESIDE CHAT
Edith Cowan University City Campus Project – Perth 

• The $853 million Edith Cowan University (ECU) City Campus project is a key part of the Perth City Deal, aiming to relocate ECU's law and business schools, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts into the Perth CBD.
• The project is a collaboration between the Australian Government, Western Australian Government, and ECU. 
• The campus is expected to host over 10,000 students and staff from 2026, transforming the city with its presence

Claire Tyrrell, Property Journalist, Business News
John Casey, Regional Director, Multiplex Global
Neil Appleton, Director, Lyons
Prof. David Shirley, Executive Director, WAAPA
Scott Henderson, Vice President (Corporate Services), Edith Cowan University

The Murchison Green Hydrogen Project

• The Murchison Green Hydrogen project in WA is a $15 billion (UAD) project and Green Ammonia production facility located in Western Australia's Mid-West Region
• Murchison Green Hydrogen (MGH) is developing an alternative energy source to fight climate change. Green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as ammonia, have been identified as an ‘energy of the future’ and will play a critical role in our transition to a carbon-neutral economy.

Shohan Seneviratne, Chief Executive Officer, Murchison Green Hydrogen

WA Housing Initiatives

• $1.4 billion to boost housing supply and affordability, including growing the construction workforce, investing in housing which will enable infrastructure to unlock a further 33,000 homes, providing stamp duty relief for first home buyers, providing access to shared equity loans and new modular loan products through Keystart, and boosting regional housing supply.

Michael McGowan, Executive Director, Housing Industry Association (HIA)

Construction Trends in 2026

• Construction trends of 2026 outlines the key construction trends shaping 2026, highlighting the shift toward connected, data-driven project delivery.
• It covers the growing impact of digital transformation, AI and automation, industrialised construction, and smart job sites, along with the increasing importance of operational excellence and predictability.
• The session also explores what these changes mean for organisations, including where to focus investment and how to stay competitive in an evolving industry.

Mike Kain, Lead Technical Consultant, ACC

Future-Ready Infrastructure: The Port of Bunbury’s Path to Growth

• As global trade evolves, technology accelerates, and industries demand smarter, cleaner supply chains, Western Australian ports face the complex challenge of planning for the future balancing current demands with the infrastructure and innovation required for long-term growth. 
• Southern Ports’ Port of Bunbury is emerging as an economic gateway and key enabler of the state’s energy transition and ‘Made in WA’ ambitions. 
• In this session, Iain will provide insights into the Port’s strategic planning and potential infrastructure projects within this changing landscape and the critical drivers underpinning future growth and investment.

Iain Robinson, Manager Planning and Development, Southern Ports

Data is king: How AI Will Impact Major Project Delivery

• AI is moving rapidly from experimentation to execution in major project delivery, but its value is only as strong as the data foundations beneath it.
• This presentation explores how project delivery is being influenced by AI—through faster decision-making, improved risk and cost forecasting, smarter planning and scheduling, and more proactive safety and quality controls.
• This session will highlight practical, delivery-focused use cases and show how AI can turn the vast amounts of data we collect into timely, actionable insights.

Matt Jenkins, Master Principal Sales Consultant, Oracle

Promoting Successful Urban Growth and Development in Our Cities and Regions

• Identifying projects that will provide a better quality of life for commuters and delivering a stronger economy through more efficient freight and transport links.
• How to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of decision-making and planning of major infrastructure projects.
• Planning for WA’s growing population: with the increase in investment within the state, there is a large focus on creating a longer-lasting, liveable and sustainable environment.

Matt Moran, Chief Executive Officer, Master Builders WA
Prof. Peter Newman, Curtin Distinguished Professor, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute
Sarah Lambert, State Manager WA, Mott MacDonald
Tanya Steinbeck, Chief Executive Officer, Urban Development Institute of Australia WA

• The construction sector is entering a defining decade as growth in activity shifts towards non-traditional asset classes. Increasing construction costs, labour market capacity, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty will all limit the extent to which construction activity can meet demand.
• In this presentation Dr Nicholas Fearnley will take stock of the construction market and discuss the broader issues facing the industry including sustainability, capacity and capability, AI, costs and funding.

Dr. Nicholas Fearnley, Head of Global Construction, Oxford Economics

Goldfields & Esperance: Enabling Major Projects and Industry Growth

• This session will explore the key opportunities, challenges and enablers shaping major project development and industry growth across the Goldfields and Esperance regions. 
• Rick will discuss investment pipelines, infrastructure priorities, workforce considerations and collaboration needed to unlock the region’s full economic potential.

Rick Brooks, AusIndustry Regional Manager, Southern Boorloo (Perth), Goldfields and Kepa Kurl (Esperance)

Freight Efficiency and Industry Benefits from the Kwinana Freeway Upgrade

• The Kwinana Freeway Upgrade is a critical investment in improving one of Western Australia’s busiest transport corridors. This session will explore how the project is enhancing freight efficiency, reducing travel times, and supporting smoother connections between industrial zones, ports, and key regional hubs.

Cam Dumesny, Chief Executive Officer, Western Roads Federation

• A $38 billion infrastructure pipeline over the next four years in energy, water, ports, housing and transport

Jason Kuchel, State Director SA, WA, NT, Director Technical Policy, Cement Concrete & Aggregates, Australia

Speed Networking

Introduce yourself, swap business cards, and form new and lasting business connections during a series of one-on-one exchanges with fellow conference delegates.

Making Autonomous Haulage Work in Real Mining Operations

• Autonomous haulage in mining has gained strong momentum in recent years, with both established OEM solutions and new technology players entering the market. While pilots and demonstrations are becoming more common, achieving stable, long-term operation on site remains a key challenge.
• Drawing on firsthand project experience, EACON will share an operational and industry perspective on what it takes to deploy autonomous haulage in real mining environments.
• The session will explore the gap between technology capability and site readiness, the complexities of small and mid-scale operations, and the safety and production impacts during the transition from manned to autonomous haulage. 
• The presentation aims to provide mining professionals with a practical, experience-based view of when and how autonomous haulage can be successfully applied.

Elaine Jin, COO, EACON Mining Technology Australia

Westport Program Stage 4 – Definition and Delivery

• Westport is Western Australia’s program to deliver a new container port in Kwinana and an integrated supply chain that will support the State’s economy for generations to come.
• Now in Stage 4, the program is progressing the detailed planning that underpins delivery.
• In this session, Westport Managing Director Patrick Seares will provide a program update and outline how collaboration with industry and government is shaping the design of a modern, sustainable and efficient trade gateway for Western Australia.

Patrick Seares, Managing Director, Westport

FIRESIDE CHAT
Mining the Future: How WA’s Resources Boom is Powering Infrastructure Development

• Western Australia’s mining and resources sector remains the backbone of the state’s economy, fuelling not just exports but a wave of transformative infrastructure investment. 
• From new ports, rail corridors, and energy networks to regional housing, roads, and water infrastructure, the flow-on effects of mining investment are reshaping WA’s development landscape.
• This panel brings together leaders from government, industry, and infrastructure to explore how the next phase of mining growth driven by iron ore, critical minerals, and downstream processing is catalysing a new era of public and private infrastructure delivery across the state.

Aaron Walker, Head of Economics, Chamber of Minerals and Energy
Jason Mennell, Manager – Regional WA, Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME)

Perth Airport’s $5 Billion Redevelopment

• Perth Airport is undergoing a massive $5 billion redevelopment to consolidate all commercial air services into the Airport Central precinct, including a new parallel runway, new terminal facilities, and two multi-storey car parks. 
• The project aims to create a "one airport" experience for travelers, with the new terminal designed to reflect a modern and dynamic Western Australia.

Steve Moreland, Chief Planning & Projects Officer, Perth Airport

Reimagining Joondalup: Transforming the CBD into a Vibrant Urban Hub

• As one of Perth’s key strategic centres, Joondalup is evolving into a dynamic metropolitan destination. A place where business, innovation, education, and community thrive together. 
• This session explores the City’s bold vision to revitalise its CBD through mixed-use developments, public realm enhancements, sustainable design, and improved transport connectivity. 
• Hear how strategic planning, urban activation initiatives, and investment partnerships are shaping Joondalup into a vibrant, people-focused hub that supports economic growth, attracts new residents, and enhances liveability for generations to come.

Cr. Daniel Kingston, Mayor, City of Joondalup

PANEL DISCUSSION
Shaping the Future of WA’s Construction Industry through Technology

• Exploring BIM and AI in Construction Projects
• Integration of Product Information Management System (PIM) with BIM for seamless flow of product information throughout the construction supply chain
• Digitization – the key to economic and sustainable ambitions of the construction industry

Bryan Tay, Director, Pivodel
Gus Purusha, Senior Digital Engineer, DT Infrastructure
James Jiang, Digital Engineering Manager, McConnell Dowell
Mike Buttery, Emerging Technologies Lead, GHD

Fortescue’s Next Chapter: Driving Decarbonisation and Green Growth in Western Australia

• Fortescue is leading to a major transformation from a global iron ore giant to a diversified green energy and resources company. 
• This session explores Fortescue’s bold decarbonisation journey and the major projects driving its evolution from reducing emissions across its mining operations to investing in renewable hydrogen, green ammonia, and future industries. Hear how Fortescue’s integrated approach is positioning Western Australia at the forefront of the global energy transition, creating new economic opportunities and supporting a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Warren Harris, Director Decarbonisation and Green Product Delivery, Fortescue

How NAIF is enabling Major Projects in Northern Western Australia

• An overview of projects NAIF is supporting in Western Australia
• The need for an innovative investment approach to infrastructure planning and execution

Stephen Land, Chief Investment Officer, NAIF

Perth Surf Park – an Experiential Leisure Project

• The Perth Surf Park is the name of the Wavegarden-powered pool project in Western Australia, located in Cockburn Central. Construction began in 2025, with the park slated to open in late 2027. 
• The development features a 2.2-hectare Wavegarden Cove lagoon, the latest design from Wavegarden, capable of generating over 30 types of waves for all skill levels

Andrew Ross, Chairman & Chief Development Officer, Aventuur

Project Meridien – Enabling Digital (AI Training & Inference) Infrastructure in Western Australia

• Project Meridien proposes to develop a grid-independent, renewable-powered hyperscale data-centre campus in the Kimberley, designed to support the rapidly growing demand for AI, high-performance computing and cloud infrastructure.
• Developed in partnership with the Karajarri Traditional Owners, the project aims to create long-term economic opportunity while demonstrating how large-scale digital infrastructure can be developed sustainably and collaboratively on Indigenous-owned land.
• The concept integrates renewable energy generation, storage, fibre connectivity and gigawatt-scale data-centre infrastructure, exploring how remote regions with strong renewable resources can support a digital industry in Western Australia.
• Delivering projects of this scale requires close collaboration across industry, government, Traditional Owners and investors, and the presentation will discuss the opportunities and challenges of establishing a new digital infrastructure sector in Western Australia.

Jop van Hattum, Chief Executive Officer, Gingerah Energy

Building Local Capability: Connecting WA Suppliers to Major Projects

• Western Australia’s major projects pipeline presents significant opportunities for local industry participation and regional economic growth. 
• This session explores initiatives designed to strengthen local capability, foster collaboration, and ensure WA suppliers are well-positioned to compete for contracts across key infrastructure, energy, and resources projects. 

Ray Loh, Manager, ICN WA