Conference Agenda

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

Ministerial Address

Hon. Tim Pallas, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Industrial Relations, Victoria

Exploring Transport Network Pricing

• Evaluating user schemes that require payment based on network usage.
• Analysing potential benefits; reduced road congestion, improved health and environmental outcomes, fairer costs for users and a more sustainable revenue stream for government.
• Infrastructure Victoria’s research into identifying best practice solutions to address current and future key problem areas on Melbourne’s transport network.
• A look at Infrastructure Victoria’s 2020 Transport Network Pricing Paper.

Dr Jonathan Spear, Chief Operating Officer, Infrastructure Victoria

Modernising the Regional Network

• A joint initiative of the Victorian and Australian governments, the $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival Program will deliver necessary upgrades to every regional passenger line in the State and create upwards of 1000 jobs. 
• Inclusive of station, track and signalling updates, the regional program will enable much-need extra services during peak times to service the growing communities in regional areas.
• Project insights.

Mark Havryluk, Director, Regional Rail Revival, Rail Projects Victoria

Road Project Updates – Improving Reliability and Safety Across the State

This presentation will explore major road projects currently underway and in the pipeline for the State of Victoria. Delivered by Director of Development and Performance, Andrew Williams, this keynote session will provide the latest in project updates.

Andrew Williams, Director, Development and Performance, Major Road Projects Victoria

Melbourne’s Biggest Rail Project in 50 Years

• Incorporating twin rail tunnels, five underground stations from North Melbourne through to the Domain precinct south of the CBD, the Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project will transform Melbourne’s rails into a turn up & go system.
• Allowing for a seamless commuter connection between the City Loop and Metro Tunnel services, the new underground service will free up space for more trains to run in and out of the suburbs.
• Maximising efficiency and revolutionising Victoria’s network the Metro Tunnel will be the first of any existing network in Australia to utilise High Capacity Signalling technology.

Damian Brizzi, Package Director Rail Infrastructure, Rail Projects Victoria

COVID-19 and the Victorian Transport Sector 

• As part of the billion dollar Building Works package to support Victorian projects and jobs in the state COVID economy recovery, $328m has been allocated to roads, public transport, jetties and piers, with critical maintenance and upgrades that will support more than 600 jobs.
• This discussion will take a look at Victoria’s transport infrastructure projects and how they have been impacted by the Coronavirus. 
• Sli.do inclusive session – use code #VICTR2021 to ask participants questions!
  

Graham Currie, Professor, Transport Engineering, Monash University
William McDougall, Independent Transport Planner, Victoria

Maintaining Victoria’s World-Famous Liveability

• The Victorian Government is investing $57 billion in major infrastructure and smart projects in order to accommodate Victoria’s growing capacity across road, rail and port networks.
• Understanding travel needs to ensure all networks are connected properly to ensure the widest possible benefits.

Growing and Maintaining Port Capabilities to Support Victoria’s Economy

• Contributing to the enhancement of the economic and social prosperity of the people of Victoria by providing vital infrastructure and services for national trade and tourism.

Caryn Anderson, Executive General Manager Port Growth and Planning, Port of Melbourne

The Use of Digital Engineering in Infrastructure Projects

We discuss how state governments are increasingly turning to digital engineering modelling in an attempt to avoid an era of infrastructure overruns and avoidable contractual disputes with concerning outcomes.

Peter Gill, Infrastructure Managing Director, Donald Cant Watts Corke (DCWC)

First Works Package on the Sunbury Line

• The Sunbury Line Upgrade will deliver major track, power and station platform upgrades to enable High Capacity Metro Trains to run all the way from Sunbury to Cranbourne and Pakenham when the Metro Tunnel is operational in 2025.

• These works are being delivered by the Rail Infrastructure Alliance (RIA), a partnership between CPB Contractors, John Holland, AECOM, Metro Trains Melbourne and Rail Projects Victoria.

• RIA is working on the first two stages of the $2.1 billion project, delivering platform extensions, stabling upgrades and traction power upgrades along the western rail corridor to increase the capacity of and future proof the network.

• Engineering Manager, Colin Craney is leading the project’s engineering, design and systems assurance teams working to develop and align technical solutions for the complex connection between the Sunbury Line Upgrade, the new Metro Tunnel and the existing operational surface level metropolitan rail network.

• This involves managing the intricate interfaces between project requirements and stakeholder needs, successfully balancing the technical challenges of design with the realities of construction.

Colin Craney, Engineering Manager, CPB Contractors

Echuca-Moama Bridge Project

• Jointly funded by the Australian, Victorian and NSW Governments, the $323.7m investment will connect the Murray Valley Highway and Warren Street at Echuca with the Cobb Highway at Perricoota Road in Moama, making it quicker and easier to travel across the Campaspe and Murray Rivers.
• Part of the largest infrastructure project in northern Victoria, Stages 1 – 3 will be delivered by Major Road Projects Victoria, with Stage 4 to be delivered by NSW Roads and Maritime Services.
• Major works are planned to get underway in early 2020 with the project expected to be completed in 2022.
• Project overview.

John Bullen, Project Manager, Echuca-Moama Bridge Project, Major Road Projects Victoria

PANEL DISCUSSION

Identifying and Prioritising Key Transport Infrastructure Projects

• How do you prioritise transport infrastructure projects when no single project is capable of solving the enormous pressure population growth can place on a community?
• Investigating the financial and environmental feasibility of various transport methods to create a pipeline of well-structured and economically viable transport infrastructure projects that will enhance the movement of people, services and goods.
• Projects that will aid the support and growth of the economy.

Marion Terrill, Transport & Cities Program Director, Grattan Institute
Professor Majid Sarvi, Program Director, Transport Technologies, University of Melbourne
Rachel Dapiran, Executive Director, Planning Infrastructure and Technical, Victorian Planning Authority
William McDougall, Independent Transport Planner, Victoria

PANEL DISCUSSION

Engaging Communities in the Delivery of Major Projects

• Community pressure has contributed to the cancellation, delay or mothballing of more than $20 billion in Australian infrastructure projects over the past decade.
• This panel will feature Communications and Engagement leaders involved in the delivery of some of the largest transport projects in Australia to talk about managing ever-increasing community expectations in the planning and delivery of major projects.
• The panelists will share their challenges and successes in supporting the delivery of transport projects in Victoria and New South Wales, including how they kept the wheels turning during COVID-19, and talk about emerging trends in managing communications and community engagement on high profile projects.

Jennifer Kaye, Director Strategic Communications, Level Crossing Removal Project
Mandi Davidson, National Lead – Communications and Engagement, RPS
Megan Cusack, Deputy Director Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, Melbourne Airport Rail Link (Rail Projects Victoria)
Romina Cavallo, General Manager Strategic Development, RPS
Trent Woodberry, Director Strategic Communications, Major Road Projects Victoria

Ministerial Address

Hon. Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Victoria

SPEED NETWORKING

This speed networking session will allow delegates to introduce themselves and swap business cards with those they are seated with and other summit attendees.

Transport projects as a catalyst for great place-making outcomes

We can all imagine a future where the demand for world-class public transport is far greater than anyone could have imagined in recent years. As Australian cities become denser and more urbanised, our communities have higher expectations of liveability. Great place-making is now front of mind when we plan, design and deliver transport infrastructure. The transport infrastructure ecosystem is becoming more complex than ever before.

A decade or two ago, public transport projects sometimes followed a delivery approach where complying with a ‘contract’ was an adequate outcome. Increasingly, our society expects transport projects to do more than move people around. They need to achieve a higher order of community outcomes. For example, the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) brings about greater safety and reliability but also a coordinated place-making approach across many locations.

Complex transport projects like LXRP require careful planning and collaborative and multidisciplinary professionals to develop robust procurement tactics. Implementing lessons from local and international urban transport projects is key to minimising risk, delivering return on investment and creating lasting community benefits. 

Mikel Alonso, Transport Market Leader - Australia, GHD

ARTC: Inland Rail and the North East Rail Line Upgrade

• In Victoria, ARTC is delivering two major rail projects between now and 2025 – the North East Rail Line Upgrade and the Victorian section of Inland Rail from Tottenham to Albury.
• The upgrade project will bring much anticipated improvements to rail travel throughout North East Victoria while Inland Rail is set to transform the way we move freight around the country.

Ed Walker, General Manager Victorian Projects, ARTC

PANEL DISCUSSION

Regional Availability: Planning for Strategic Transport Development

• In order to modernise the regional network allowing for more track, train and the delivery of better facilities and services, short, medium and long-term plans are needed to deliver a modern commuter-style service.
• What road, rail and transport infrastructure projects should be prioritised to ensure regional Victoria is equipped with a well-functioning and complete transport network?
• Identifying opportunities and challenges with current available services.

Mark Dixon, Chief Executive Officer, City of Wodonga
Peter Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Transport Association

Western Highway Duplication

• A major road link between Melbourne and Adelaide, the Western Highway currently supports a variety of vehicles ranging from tourist and commuter traffic to large freight vehicles.
• With an investment of $672m by State and Federal Governments, the project will create thousands of jobs during the construction phase which is anticipated to run until early 2022.
• Duplication of the highway will increase safety and journey reliability for all those traveling to Ballarat and Melbourne.

Delivering Rolling Stock to Meet Future Demand

• As a result of strong job growth in Melbourne, the metropolitan and regional networks have seen a consistent rise of commuters traveling in an out of the city daily.
• To accommodate demand, the 10-year Rolling Stock Strategy outlined plans that would deliver results for the metropolitan train fleet, tram fleet, and regional train fleet.
• Project update – what have we achieved in 5 years and how far away are we from our initial goal?

Revitalising Melbourne’s Transport Network

• With over 900,000 commuters moving in and out of Victoria’s central city the State must possess a reliable and efficient transport system to accommodate current and future demands.
• The City of Melbourne plans strike change and deliver key investment in order to bring about 3 outcomes: the creation of a safe and liveable city, fostering an efficient and productive city and, encouraging a dynamic and adaptive city.
• Set to create long-term change the plan proposes to provide more space for people on footpaths and around major transport hubs, reduce congestion in and around the city, and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.