Agenda

Monday 18 September

ecologiQ Site Tours

8.00am – 4.00pm (approx.)

Attendees can choose from one of three carefully curated routes:

Plastics in infrastructure - Visit four locations in Melbourne’s southeast to learn about the many ways plastic can be recycled into construction materials.

Civil - Visit manufacturing facilities, laboratories and projects in Melbourne’s west to see the many ways recycled materials are being used to build some of Melbourne’s biggest infrastructure projects.

Built Environment (mini-bus only, limited spots available): Visit four locations across Melbourne to learn about innovative and sustainable materials used in the urban realm.

All tours will depart from Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre at 9am on Monday 18 September and will return to the same location in the afternoon.

Trade Hall launch

4.00pm	Trade Hall opens
4.45pm	Networking drinks and canapes
5.15pm	Welcome to Country
5.20pm	ecologiQ welcome Alexis Davison – Executive Director Engineering and Program Services, Major Road Projects Victoria
5.30pm	Official opening Duncan Elliott - Chief Executive Officer, Major Road Projects Victoria
5.45pm	Ministerial address The Hon. Josh Bull, MP - Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Level Crossing Removal
6.00pm	Panel: A celebration of some of our 2022 success stories Moderator: Alexis Davison – Executive Director Engineering and Program Services, Major Road Projects Victoria Panellists: Chris Smith – Territory Manager Victoria, Replas Steve Betinsky – General Manager Employment and Enterprises OC Connections
6.30pm	Networking Including drinks and canapes
7.00pm	Trade Hall close

Tuesday 19 September

Plenary stage

7.30am

Registration opens

8.00am

Networking breakfast

9.00am

MC welcome and acknowledgement of country

Professor Veena Sahajwalla - World renowned materials scientist, engineer, and inventor revolutionising recycling science

9:15am

Keynote: How Victoria’s Big Build is fuelling demand and charting progress

Victoria’s transport infrastructure projects have made huge strides in the use of recycled materials since 2020 – but we still face some great challenges. The Victorian Government is imploring industry to take further steps towards a greener future.

Kevin Devlin – Director-General, Major Transport Infrastructure Authority

9:40am

Fireside chat: Recycled First – the story behind the data

The data is telling us that the Recycled First Policy has proven to be a powerful mechanism for change. But there are still some common misconceptions. Alexis will pull back the curtain on some of the popular myths about recycled materials and how this is impacting greater use of recycled materials across infrastructure projects.

Alexis Davison – Executive Director Engineering and Program Services, Major Road Projects Victoria with Professor Veena Sahajwalla

10.00am

Keynote: Supplying a solution in Australia’s ongoing waste crisis

Road and rail infrastructure projects make their mark on communities and our environment in many ways, but the war on waste is far from over. Recycled materials are critical to winning the battle, and the industry must respond by creating strong supply chains and refining manufacturing processes to meet the demand created by government policies such as Recycled First.

Craig Reucassel – ABC’s War on Waste program host

10.30am

Morning tea and networking

11:00am

MC welcome back

11.05am

Keynote: Victoria’s waste and recycling sector – supporting use of recycled materials in infrastructure

Tony Circelli – Head, Recycling Victoria

11.25am

Panel: Why plastic and rubber products make sense

There are considerable performance benefits to plastic and rubber products, making it vital we develop processes and use policy to overcome barriers to its widespread use in infrastructure construction.

Moderator:

Craig Reucassel – ABC’s War on Waste program host

Panellists:

Dr Deb Lau – Ending Plastic Waste Lead, CSIRO
Lina Goodman – CEO, Tyre Stewardship Australia
Stuart Neilson – Head of Strategy, Enviromesh

12.10pm

Panel: Navigating the pathway to successful use of products on projects

The first ‘yes’ to integrating an innovative product on a project is the toughest. We explore a powerful example of how collaboration between asset owner, delivery team, contractor and supplier can make it happen.

Moderator:

Lissa van Camp - Executive General Manager, LPES, Suburban Rail Loop Authority

Panellists:

Matthew James – CEO and Managing Director, Envra, representing Polyrok
Bo Christensen – Sustainability Manager, McConnell Dowell
John Scaife - Head of Engineering, Interface Rail Engineering

1.00pm

Lunch

2:00pm

MC welcome back

2:05pm

Keynote: Recycled materials' role in building resilience against climate risk and achieving sustainable socio-economic systems

The Green Africa Youth Organization is having an incredible environmental, economic and social impact as they lead Africa’s shift to a circular economy. Australia can draw inspiration from this move which apply from grassroots initiatives to large scale infrastructure.

Betty Osei Bonsu - Uganda Country Manager, Green Africa Youth Organization

2:25pm

Panel: Recycled First – benefits beyond optimising use of recycled materials

From social enterprises creating meaningful work for people with disabilities to saving costs on a project, the benefits of waste-to-resource materials are immense.

Moderator:

Terence Jeyaretnam – Partner, Ernst & Young

Panellists:

Betty Osei Bonsu - Uganda Country Manager, Green Africa Youth Organization
Steve Betinsky - General Manager Employment & Enterprises, OC Connections
Yasmin Grigaliunas – CEO Circonomy (World's Biggest Garage Sale)
Joe Pickin – Director, Blue Environment

3.10pm

Panel: Regional benefits and embracing circular economy

Australia’s regional areas have unique opportunities and challenges in how they can manufacture and use recycled materials. Local government has a key role in this and some excellent examples of innovation.

Moderator:

Matt Genever – Interim CEO, Sustainability Victoria

Panellists:

Glenn Gillan - General Manager, Plasgain
Terry Kay – Managing Director, RPM Pipes
Scott Bryant – Circular Economy Coordinator, City of Greater Bendigo Council
Peter Murphy – Managing Director, Alex Fraser

4.00pm

MC closing remarks

4.05pm

Afternoon tea and networking

5.00pm

Conference close

Trade Hall

7.30am	Registration and trade hall open
8.00am	Networking breakfast
10.30am	Morning Tea
11.00am	Trade hall MC welcome and introduction to ecologiQ Duy Le – Industry Manager, ecologiQ
11.10am	Fireside chat: Infrastructure procurement 101 The complexity of infrastructure projects should not be a barrier to entry for suppliers. This session explores and defines procurement models, how tenders are awarded as well as how suppliers are engaged and the role and remit of asset owners. Target audience: small and medium suppliers, social enterprises, new suppliers to the sector Steve Cornish – Executive Program Director, Major Road Projects Victoria Lisa Kinross – Chief Executive Officer, Civil Contractors Federation Victoria Simon Cock - Managing Director, ACE Contractors
11.40am	Presentation: How to - standards, specs and testing Technical know-how is essential to getting any product into a project. Delve into where these requirements can be found, how they are developed and how and why to access National Association for Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited labs. Target audience: small and medium suppliers, social enterprises, new suppliers to the sector Petar Davcev – Senior Technology Leader, Sustainability and Materials Performance, Portfolio Leader - Materials Performance and Testing, NTRO David Barton – Chief Engineer, Department of Transport and Planning
12.00pm	Fireside chat: Clean waste streams: the key to recyclability ‘Clean waste’ may sound like an oxymoron, but it is an essential part of the recycling and reuse process. Hear about waste classification and how it relates to feedstocks as well as common hazards and risks and how waste reprocessors manage it. Target audience: suppliers, contractors and sustainability professionals Mark Bannister – Manager Waste and Land Policy, Environment Protection Authority Victoria John McCluskey – General Manager Commercial, Repurpose It
12.20pm	Panel: The benefits of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) Delve into what these reports are, why they matter and the role they play in asset lifecycle value. Better understand the cost and benefits and hear from a supplier who has undertaken the process. Target audience: Suppliers who are seeking funding for R&D or to scale operations Stephen Mitchell – Director Advocacy and Marketing, EPD Australasia Ross Brookshaw – Sustainability Manager, North East Link North Alliance Adrian Cahill – Technical Services Manager, RCPA
1.00pm	Lunch and networking
2.00pm	MC welcome back
2.05pm	Panel: Recycled product requirements - an asset owner's perspective Hear from asset owners on all aspects of the approval process – from what needs approval, why and from whom. The design life and trials and validation process will also be detailed. Dr Scott Taylor – Director Engineering and Innovation, Major Road Projects Victoria (moderator) Maurice Serruto – Unit Manager Engineering Design & Construction, City of Whittlesea Ian Ward – Associate Director and Victorian Projects Rail Sector Leader, TSA Management Emma Miller-Olsen – Associate Director West Gate Bridge, Department of Transport and Planning
2.45pm	Getting investment ready As we progress to a circular economy, companies are in a constant state of change, from start-up to commercialisation to expansion. Deepen your understanding of the assistance services available throughout this process, including avenues for funding, navigation of government, and potential collaborative prospects. Lauren Rowett – Industry Support Officer, ecologiQ (moderator) Dr Phil Gurney – Director, Clean Economy, Breakthrough Victoria Kristy Meeuwsen – Team Leader Recycling Markets Acceleration, Industry and Infrastructure, Sustainability Victoria Ciaran O’Connor – Team Leader Infrastructure Investment, Sustainability Victoria
3.15pm	Sustainability Victoria’s Recycled Product Showcase Hear about three exciting products that turn ‘waste’ into value added products, and their journey from R&D to application supported by Sustainability Victoria’s Market Acceleration Program. Kristy Meeuwsen – Team Leader Recycling Markets Acceleration, Industry and Infrastructure, Sustainability Victoria Ciaran O’Connor – Team Leader Infrastructure Investment, Sustainability Victoria
3.45pm	Next generation recycled materials in railways Professor Ravi Ravitharan – Director Monash IRT
4.05pm	Afternoon tea and networking
4.15pm	Product spotlight: Recycled plastic and end of life tyres Fast-paced elevator pitches from suppliers of recycled plastic and end of life tyre products who are exhibiting in the trade hall. Duy Le – Industry manager, ecologiQ Lauren Rowett – Industry Support Officer, ecologiQ

Wednesday 20 September

Plenary stage

7.30am

Registrations opens

8.00am

Networking breakfast

9:00am

MC welcome

9.10am

Ministerial address

Ingrid Stitt MP, Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep and Minister for Environment

9.25am

Keynote: The catalysing role of infrastructure construction in delivering a circular economy

Australia’s efforts to map demand for infrastructure construction materials highlight that Australia cannot rely on virgin products, and Victoria is leading the way when it comes to finding sustainable alternatives.

Ian Porter, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Strategic Adviser and Head of the Net Zero Unit

9.45am

Panel: Creating the scale needed for strong supply chains

Australia is spending billions on social infrastructure, spurring a huge opportunity to further optimise the use of circular materials. Regional projects are also playing a key role in building local supply chains.

Moderator:

Dr Dominique Hes – Director, Zero Carbon Buildings City of Melbourne and Ministerial Advisory Council

Panellists:

Jonathan Spears - CEO Infrastructure Victoria
Tiernan Humphreys - Acting Director Environmental Sustainability, Victorian Health Building Authority
Ken Long – Regional Sustainability Manager, (Vic and SA) Lendlease
Kelly Macmorran – Design Director, Development Victoria

10.30am

Morning tea and networking

11.00am

MC welcome back

11.10am

Panel: Recycled materials as the first step to circular infrastructure

The Federal Government has given clear direction that recycling is vital in moving to a circular economy. We explore how Australian jurisdictions are making progress and overcoming roadblocks.

Moderator:

Ainsley Simpson – Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Sustainability Council

Panellists:

Adam Copp – Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Australia
Pamela Henderson – Head of Technical Services, Transport for New South Wales
Kylie Hughes – Executive Director, Waste Policy and Legislation, Department of Environment and Science, Qld
David Alexander – Director Waste Policy, ACT NoWaste

12.00pm

Keynote: Circular Design - turning ambition into action

Design choices can lock up 70% of the environmental impact of infrastructure across its life cycle. This highlights just how crucial it is to utilise new design approaches and tools that consider circularity and material choices.

Lisa McLean - Chief Executive Officer, Circular Australia
Jodie Bricout – Principal, Sustainability and Climate Change, Aurecon Australasia

12.40pm

Keynote: Reinterpreting value and the benefits of reuse

Reusing and retrofitting infrastructure assets can have immense economic benefits as it leads to construction cost and borrowing finance savings for government and asset owners.

Reade Dixon – Principal, Elenberg Fraser
Kathleen Bainbridge – Associate, Elenberg Fraser

1.00pm

Lunch and networking

1.55pm

MC Welcome back

2:00pm

Keynote: Building purposefully greener infrastructure - Practical steps on the path ahead

Circular infrastructure can support Victoria’s net zero commitments. The hard truth is we can’t get there without it. It’s a balance between nature, materials and carbon.

Romilly Madew – Chief Executive Officer, Engineers Australia

2.30pm

Panel: Building purposefully greener infrastructure - International perspectives

Australia’s shift to a circular economy is taking us down a path that other nations and communities have traversed before. There are plenty of lessons to be learnt as we optimise our resources by keeping products in use at the highest possible value.

Moderator:

Nicole Garafono – Head of Circular Economy Development, Planet Ark

Panellists:

Wayne Hubbard – Chief Executive Officer, ReLondon
Mike Evans – Global Highways, Roads and Streets Business Leader, Arup
Amelia Burnett – Associate Director – InfraTech Program, Global Infrastructure Hub

3.20pm

Keynote: Building purposefully greener infrastructure – a First Nations perspective

As custodians of the land and staunch protectors of our environment and future, there is much we can learn from First Nations people about scaling indigenous practices to support purposefully greener infrastructure.

Hayden Heta – Managing Director, Wamarra

3.40pm

MC concluding remarks and thank you

3.45pm

Afternoon tea and networking

5.00pm

Conference and Trade Hall close

Trade Hall

7.30am	Registration and trade hall open
8.00am	Networking breakfast
10.30am	Morning tea and networking
11.00am	MC welcome
11.10am	Sponsor presentation: Downer Graham Henderson – Pre-Contracts and Development Manager, Downer, Transport and Infrastructure
11.20am	Panel: A world of possibilities in a concrete world Concrete is one of the most consumed and essential materials on earth. While historically it is a huge carbon emitter, the innovative Big Build concrete program aims to change that. Rhys Owen-Roberts – Senior Manager, Sustainable Infrastructure, Major Road Projects Victoria (moderator) Brendan Liveris – National Sustainability Manager, Hanson Mark Jackson – Sales & Business Development Manager, Civil, SVC Products Stuart Neilson – Head of Strategy, Enviromesh
12.00pm	Supplier spotlights Hear from trade hall exhibitors on topics integral to their business and how they are using their enterprise for good. How partnerships in a circular economy can drive infrastructure innovation in Australia. Graeme Hall – Application Development Manager, Pact Group Measuring circularity for roads. Steve Morriss – Head of Circular Economy, Close The Loop Sustainable social procurement. Lucretia De Jong – Chief Executive Officer, Social Outcome Solutions Collaboration with Universities. Stephen Webster – General Manager, Integrated Recycling Using recycled materials does not decrease quality. Glenn Gillan – General Manager, Plasgain
12.50pm	Sponsor presentation: Hanson Matthew Wilton – Offer Development and Transformation Manager, Hanson Australia
1.00pm	Lunch and networking
2.00pm	MC welcome back
2.05pm	Supplier spotlights Hear from trade hall exhibitors on topics integral to their business and how they are using their enterprise for good. Integrated architectural engineering and construction management. Daniel Prohasky – Co-Founder, Architectural Engineer, Curvecrete Innovating through sustainability. Joe Barresi – Technical Sales Engineer, Vinidex
2.25pm	Sponsor presentation: SPARK - the role of construction in catalysing circularity Viv Helsop - Sustainability Manager, SPARK Mia Deans - Sustainability Graduate, SPARK
2.45pm	Open for Innovation Building on the great success of the ecologiQ Innovation Showcase series, this live event will highlight innovative products ready for the next step – whether it is a demonstration project or a fellow supplier to partner with. Duy Le – Industry Manager, ecologiQ (moderator) Shalini Trikha – Technical Manager, ecologiQ Andrew Papacostas – Principal Engineer – Pavements & Materials, Assets & Engineering Division, Department of Transport and Planning Shane Cooper – Engineer Manager Track and Civil, V/Line
3.45pm	Afternoon tea and networking
5.00pm	Trade hall closes