20 August 2026: The Program
We’re updating this page as speakers are confirmed. Check back as the lineup continues to grow.
8.00am
Registration
Session 1: Pockets of Potential
8.30am
FF26 Opening
Welcome to Country
Adam Spencer, MC
Binowee Bayles, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council
8.40am
ACA Welcome
The case for change is clear and widely accepted. Now the focus shifts: from identifying challenges to showcasing what works and how we scale it.
Annabel Crookes, President, Australian Constructors Association
8.50am
Year in Review
A fast-paced snapshot of progress: the National Construction Strategy, Blueprint, Charter, Queensland Productivity Commission report, closure of BPIC, Accelerate Together and more.
Video
8.55am
DEEP DIVE: Pockets of Potential – government, private and international
A deep dive into major projects where collaboration unlocked strengths across all parties. What becomes possible when everyone focuses on what they do best? And how is the private sector doing things differently to government? Hear the untold stories from the people at the centre of three landmark projects.
New Bridgewater Bridge
Peter Fraser, Project Director, McConnell Dowell;
Ed McPhilips, Construction Manager, McConnell Dowell;
Ben Moloney, Executive Director, Major Transport Projects, Department of State Growth
Western Sydney Airport
Manos Sartzetakis, Project Director, Multiplex;
Christian Byrne, Construction Director, CPB Contractors
Atlassian Central
Jahaan Rowdah, Construction Manager, Built (in joint venture with Obayashi);
Peter Morley, Project Director, Dexus;
Markus Frixeder, Sales Director APAC & South Korea, WIEHAG
9:55am
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT SPEAKER: Grange University Hospital – Designed to enable performance
An international benchmark in delivering complex public infrastructure, this session unpacks what drove the success of the Grange University Hospital. From strong client leadership and collaborative procurement to early contractor involvement and modern methods of construction, it highlights how shared risk, aligned incentives, and a culture of trust and transparency enabled the project to withstand unprecedented disruption without compromising productivity or value.
10.20am
Next Frontiers – industry association pitches
Back by popular demand, industry Association heads have 90 seconds to answer this question: “Name the pocket of potential you are most excited about in the next 12 months and why?”
Jonathan Cartledge, CEO, Consult Australia;
Ehssan Veiszadeh, CEO, Transport Australia;
Nicholas Proud, CEO, Civil Contractors Federation Australia;
Caroline Wilkie, CEO, Australasian Railway Association;
Brett Ackroyd, Director, Institute for Collaborative Working Australia
10.30am
Morning tea
Session 2: Proof in Practice
11.10am
SPOTLIGHT SPEAKER: The Fast Lane – What data centres teach construction
Step into the surge of digital infrastructure reshaping Australia. Hear how data centres get delivered so fast and hear from a major contractor involved in this work. What can the rest of the construction industry learn about working smarter, faster and differently?
Simon Cooper, Group Chief Development Officer, NEXTDC;
Andrew Deveson, Managing Director, Kapitol
11.35am
Crystal Wall – Stronger, smarter
A fast-paced, interactive session designed to capture the collective intelligence of the room. Participants will be invited to share their perspectives on the key shifts shaping the future of construction, with insights captured live on the Crystal Wall.
Interactive
11.40am
Redesigning Design
The Construction Industry Leadership Forum tackled a big question: how can the design process become more efficient? Building on new design principles, this session brings to life a real example of good practice in delivering an efficient, disciplined design process that supports high-quality outcomes.
Cathy Hayes, Head of Client Strategy NSW & ACT, CPB Contractors;
Colin Craney, Alliance Engineering and Design Director, Suburban Rail Loop
12:00pm
INTERACTIVE: Construction Great Debate
Is MMC dead before it even gets started? This Oxford-style debate will see participants argue for or against MMC – regardless of their personal views.
Proposition: The concept of ‘Modern methods of construction’ is unclear, unhelpful and should be consigned to history along with BIM and Lean. We don’t need a label for common sense; we just need more of it.
Affirmative Team
Lisa Harrington, Deputy Secretary, School Infrastructure, Department of Education NSW;
Andrew Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority;
Natalie Muir, Regional Director Water, Stantec;
Bede Noonan, CEO, Acciona
Negative Team
Frances Badelow, Managing Director Australia, Mott MacDonald;
Damien Crough, Executive Chairman, PrefabAUS;
Gillian Geraghty, Director General & ACT Chief Engineer, Infrastructure Canberra
12.30pm – 1.30pm
Lunch
Session 3: Built to Scale
1:30pm
Ministerial Keynote
Direct from the NSW Treasurer, this session offers a frank view of where the industry stands today and its future direction. Hear first-hand how government sees the path ahead and the role the industry can play in shaping it.
Hon. Daniel Mookhey, Treasurer of NSW
1.45pm
INTERACTIVE: Panel of experts
We’ve heard what works. The gap now is scale.
This session puts the industry’s questions on the table and answers them from every angle: government, contractors and the supply chain. What is holding performance back?
Attendees will shape the conversation, with panellists responding in real time challenging each other’s perspectives and sharing real life examples. Come ready to ask questions and leave with actionable ideas for lifting performance across the industry.
Marika Calfas, CEO, NSW Ports;
Raquel Rubalcaba, A/Deputy Secretary, Infrastructure, Projects & Engineering, Transport for NSW;
Francisco Irazusta, CEO & Executive Director, InfraBuild;
Liam O’Donohue, ANZ Managing Director, Arup;
Rowenna Walker, Managing Director, Egis;
Steve Lambert, CEO, Seymour Whyte;
Jemma Stewart, Executive Vice President Contract Management, Webuild
2.15pm
DEEP DIVE: Foundations – Leader’s Exchange
Described as the industry’s own COP, the FF26 Leaders’ Exchange brought senior leaders together to discuss what’s working and how to scale it. This session responds directly to the issues government is focused on, drawing on insights from ACA’s sentiment surveys to highlight where change is needed most and the projects addressing known challenges.
Peter Colacino, CEO, Australian Constructors Association;
Tim Parker, CEO, High Speed Rail Authority
2.35pm
Frontiers – NextGen Exchange
Emerging leaders respond to the Leaders’ Exchange discussion—offering fresh perspectives on what must shift next.
Jess Haines-Holgate, Team Leader – Strategy and Transformation, Jacobs;
Melissa Foong, A/Senior Project Director, Health Infrastructure
2.50pm
INTERACTIVE: Crystal Wall – Together
If the construction industry could adopt one habit to improve collaboration, what would it be?
Interactive
2.55pm
DEEP DIVE: Locking in the gains
Significant changes in the construction industry have been driven through the role of the CFMEU administrator. This session explores how these gains can be embedded and sustained.
Michael Crosby, CFMEU Administrator;
Natasha Platts, Assistant Secretary – Construction and Policy Reform, Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
3.15pm
Change starts today, not tomorrow
From stage to audience, every insight matters. In this finale, an unexpected guide will weave it all together, offering a fresh, bold view on what’s next for the industry – and it might just surprise you!