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.

Development WA’s Pipeline of Projects

• Looking at Development WA’s pipeline projects

Andrew Williams, Chief Operations Officer, Development WA

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,
• Bunbury Regional Hospital Redevelopment, Joondalup Health Campus Expansion, Royal Perth Hospital Mental Health Observation, WA Country Health Service projects including 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
Dr Richard Hughes, Researcher and Lecturer in Project Management, Edith Cowan University
Neil Appleton, Director, Lynos
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 enabling infrastructure to unlock a further 33,000 homes, providing stamp duty relief for first home buyers, 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)

The Role of Strategic Planning in WA’s Major Projects

• Strategic planning is the backbone of successful project delivery across Western Australia’s rapidly evolving infrastructure landscape. 
• This session explores how long-term vision, integrated land-use and transport planning, and robust decision-making frameworks are shaping WA’s next generation of major projects.

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, Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks 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.

Keith Wilks, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Ports

Henderson Defence Precinct

• The Australian government is establishing a consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson, south of Perth. 
• This initiative includes continuous naval shipbuilding, such as the construction of Army landing craft and general-purpose frigates. 
• An initial investment of $127 million over three years has been committed for planning and preliminary works, with the precinct expected to support around 10,000 high-skilled local jobs over the next two decades.

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, livable and sustainable environment.

Matthew Pollock, Chief Executive Officer, Masters Builders
Prof. Peter Newman, Curtin Distinguished Professor, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute
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

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

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

The Yangibana Project

• The Yangibana project occupies 650 square kilometres and is located approximately 250 kilometres northeast of Carnarvon in Western Australia. The projected is located on Gifford Creek Station, which covers Thiin-Mah, Warriyangka, Tharrkari and Jiwarli country.
• The Yangibana Project will be developed in two stages, with Stage 1 focused on the mine and beneficiation plant to produce a rare earth concentrate.
• The mining operations at Yangibana will comprise open pit mining, including conventional drill, blast, load and haul, with an estimated ore feed of 1.1 million tonnes per annum into the processing plant. The mined ore will be processed through a circuit of crushing, grinding, floatation, tailings and handling, with an output of up to 37,000 tonnes per annum of rare earth concentrate at 27% TREO.
• In Stage 2, a hydrometallurgical plant will be constructed which will process the concentrate from Yangibana into an intermediate product called a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC), through a process of cracking, leaching, precipitation and drying.
• Once completed, the plant will have an output of up to 15,000 tonnes per annum of MREC at 59% TREO, to be shipped to our customers for further downstream processing into NdPr oxides, which are then metallised and alloyed before being made into a permanent magnet

Vince Catania, Chief Executive Officer, Hastings Technology Metals Ltd

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.

PRESENTATION BY AECON MINING TECHNOLOGY AUSTRALIA

• Aecon Mining Technology Australia will outline how its mining technology expertise and project delivery solutions support the successful execution of complex major projects.

Elaine Jin, COO, AECON Mining Technology Australia

Westport Program Stage 3

• Westport is the State Government’s planning program to move container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana. 
• Westport Stage 3 is focused on developing a business case and detailed design for a new port in Kwinana, Western Australia, with associated freight and logistics network upgrades. 
• This stage builds previous work to determine the best way to deliver the port, including the optimal timing and approach, while addressing existing system barriers. 
• The project also involves detailed design, delivery, and transition planning.

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 that is catalysing a new era of public and private infrastructure delivery across the state.

Tim Bray, Deputy Director General, PoweringWA

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.

Jason Waters, Chief Executive 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, Principal Digital Engineer | WA Digital Engineering Lead, Arcadis
Dale Harrison, Design & Construction Coordinator, 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

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)

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

Western Australia’s Energy Transition

• Modernising the Southwest Interconnected System (SWIS) - Driving the transition to a resilient low emissions power system through new renewable generation, large scale energy storage and enhanced transmission infrastructure projects.
• Cleaner energy for the Pilbara . Accelerating regional decarbonisation through the Pilbara Energy Transition Plan, supporting industry growth while reducing emissions.
• Strengthening reliability in the Goldfields.

Tim Bray, Deputy Director General, PoweringWA

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