Conference Agenda

09:00 - 09:30

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.

09:30 - 10:00

RENEWAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

• The 2024-25 State Budget will deliver $576 million towards two major housing developments in Adelaide’s southern and western suburbs.
• Approximately 1,450 new homes will be delivered, with 20% of those dedicated to affordable housing.

Chris Menz, Chief Executive, Renewal SA

10:00 - 10:30

TORRENS TO DARLINGTON PROJECT

• The Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project is the final piece of South Australia’s North-South Corridor.
• The finished project will deliver 78km of non-stop motorway between Gawler and Old Noarlunga, allowing motorists to avoid 21 existing sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington.

Malcolm Short, Director, Engineering for North-South Corridor, River Torrens to Darlington Project, Department of Infrastructure and Transport

10:30 - 11:00

DIGITALLY TRANSFORMING AN INDUSTRY: THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL ENABLEMENT ACROSS GOVERNMENT AND JURISDICTIONAL POLICY TO INFORM INDUSTRY CHANGE

Rebecca De Cicco, Digital Engineering ‑ APAC, DBM Vircon

11:30 - 11:50

UPDATES AND PRIORITIES AT INFRASTRUCTURE SA

• Infrastructure SA consults broadly with all levels of government, infrastructure providers and users, local councils and communities.
• Hear key updates and priorities on its 20-Year State Infrastructure Strategies.

Jeremy Conway, Chief Executive, Infrastructure SA

11:50 - 12:40

PANEL DISCUSSION: 
Adaptive Reuse and Passive Housing in South Australia

• Hear from a panel of experts about the value, benefits, and challenges of adaptive reuse and passive housing in South Australia.
• Adaptive reuse refers to a process by which an existing building or structure is reused for a purpose other than it was originally designed for.

Jackson Digney, Director/Owner, Enduro Builders
Rebecca Robinson, Owner, Adelaide Green Homes
Tony Pisanelli, Director, Passive House Adelaide

12:40 - 13:00

Transforming Construction: Maximizing the Power of Autodesk Construction Cloud for a Connected Future

• Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is rapidly transforming the industry, seamlessly connecting design, pre-construction, construction, and the operation and maintenance phases. The ARKANCE team has been working with government agencies, asset owners, top-tier contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and architects to drive adoption.
• Join Mike Kain for an unfiltered look at the challenges, breakthroughs, and the bold vision shaping a more connected future, whether you're leveraging ACC as a common data environment, integrating it into a dynamic ecosystem, or looking at venturing in ACC as a business. Don't miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights from a leader in the industry.

Mike Kain, Lead Technical Consultant, Autodesk Construction Cloud

14:00 - 14:30

ICN Major Project Update

• ICN is a pivotal link between major project requirements and suppliers. ICN SA is part of a national network with offices in all States and Territories.
• The presentation will provide an update on key current projects in SA across mining, defence, infrastructure, construction, water and energy.

Bettina Venner, Head of ICN South Australia, Industry Capability Network

14:30 - 15:00

EIGHTY-EIGHT O'CONNELL

• The long-vacant old Le Cornu site in North Adelaide is being transformed to revitalise the O’Connell Street precinct.
• The $250 million project will deliver approximately 165 apartments across three buildings and will include a mix of  retail, commercial, resident and community amenities.
• Key updates on the project.

Trevor Cooke, CEO, Commercial & General

15:00 - 15:20

The AI Evolution - AI's Expanding Role in Shaping Businesses

AI is transforming business, with major players like Microsoft and OpenAI making huge investments despite challenges in scaling. Companies must distinguish real innovation from hype, as effective AI adoption provides a competitive edge. Technological innovation has always been about speeding things up—from the printing press to the internet, and now AI. Large language models (LLMs) enhance knowledge creation and decision-making, but their effectiveness depends on real-world application. Companies that simply "wrap" AI around existing workflows without solving real problems may struggle. The key to success lies in combining AI with domain expertise, ensuring practical, measurable benefits rather than chasing novelty. AutogenAI exemplifies this by focusing on AI-powered bid writing. Rather than generic solutions, it integrates LLMs with deep process intelligence to enhance efficiency and accuracy. As AI becomes commoditised, specialised applications that complement human expertise will drive lasting success.

Emma Crichton, APAC CEO, AutogenAI

15:50 - 16:10

LIMESTONE COAST ENERGY PARK

• A new battery storage project near Mount Gambier has recently been approved. 
• The project will be three times the size of a Tesla battery and deliver a major increase in energy storage capacity in the region.

Joel Alexander, Managing Director & CEO, Pacific Green Technologies Australia

16:10 - 16:30

The South Australian Infrastructure Pipeline and Sustainability in The Heavy Construction Materials Industry 

• This presentation will cover what is in store for the South Australian Infrastructure Pipeline and strategies for achieving sustainability within the heavy construction materials industry.
• Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA)  is dedicated to supporting Australia's net-zero objectives through Material Efficiency, Supplementary Cementitious Materials, and a Whole-of-Life Carbon Approach.

Michael Kilgariff, Chief Executive Officer, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia

16:30 - 17:00

NEW MOUNT BARKER HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT

• The South Australian Government has committed $320.8 million towards the development of New Mount Barker Hospital.
• Upgrades will see the hospital triple its inpatient capacity and provide greater access to high-quality health services.

Peter Harrison, Senior Project Manager: Capital Projects, Infrastructure, Department for Health and Wellbeing

09:00 - 09:30

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.

09:30 - 10:00

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS

The Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining, Member for West Torrens, Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly

10:00 - 10:20

THE SPACE STATE: LATEST UPDATES FROM SA’S SPACE SECTOR  

• South Australia is home to over 100 space-related organisations, and is at the forefront of Australia’s space industry.
• Hear from Southern Launch's Lloyd Damp on key updates and projects from SA’s space sector. 

Lloyd Damp, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Launch

10:20 - 10:40

ADELAIDE AIRPORT UPGRADES

• Adelaide Airport is receiving a $1 billion upgrade over the next five years.
• $500 million will go towards aviation infrastructure projects.
• Updates on the project.

Peter Taylor, Head of Project Delivery, Adelaide Airport

11:10 - 11:40

Updates and Priorities at CCF SA

Rebecca Pickering, CEO, Civil Contractors Federation SA

11:40 - 12:30

PANEL DISCUSSION
Unlocking Technological Innovation in Major Projects

• How advancements in construction technology are transforming large scale projects in South Australia
• Investigating the role of smart technologies in creating more efficient and sustainable construction practices

Jeremy Graham, Computational Design Director, HDR
Rebecca De Cicco, Digital Engineering ‑ APAC, DBM Vircon

12:30 - 13:00

DEFENCE SA

• Hear about the latest developments and projects at Defence SA.

Matt Opie, Chief Executive, Defence SA

14:00 - 14:30

Harmonising Design with Environmental Responsibility

• How innovative architectural design can merge with eco-conscious values and practices
• Utilising sustainability, design and aesthetics to set a new standard for well-designed, green housing

Rebecca Robinson, Owner, Adelaide Green Homes

14:30 - 15:00

Kanchana Perera, Founder and Managing Director, Karenewal Energy