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Insider
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Transport & Infrastructure News
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What’s inside? A quick look at what’s in today’s edition: |
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1. CEO Update
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A decade of developing transport leaders |
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2. Policy News
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Fit-for-purpose transport infrastructure |
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3. Program
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Emerging Leaders Forum heads to Brisbane |
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4. Upcoming Events
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Full June lineup – NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and WA |
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5. People Moves
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Latest appointments from across the transport sector |
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6. Industry News
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Latest developments across the transport sector |
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CEO UPDATE |
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I had the privilege of reconnecting with our 2026 Transport Australia Fellows at their mid-year workshop and dinner in Melbourne last week. The program, proudly sponsored by John Holland, has established itself as the industry’s most well regarded development program since it was launched more than a decade ago.
What started with just 19 Fellows has grown to 55 in 2026. It has produced more than 400 transport leaders, who now run major organisations and departments both here and internationally. Many are shaping policy, major projects, and making time to mentor the next generation of leaders. The compounding effect of a decade of the Fellowship program is real, and I thank the Future Leaders Committee and our industry mentors for their guidance and practical support on implementation. |
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Industry leader An Nguyen, CEO of the North East Link State Tolling Corporation, shared her leadership journey with Fellows at the mid-year dinner. An, who arrived in Australia with no English, has risen to become one of the most respected public sector leaders in Victoria, celebrated for her commercial and innovative approach to major projects. It was an honour to hear her story, and I hope the Fellows took as much away from the evening as I did.
That is what our industry mentors make possible. Matthew Uidam, Managing Director of Earth and Environment at WSP, Amanda Yeates, ANZ Roads and Streets Business Leader at Arup, and Kellee McGilvray, Executive Director Natural Disaster and Resilience at Transport for NSW, each gave their time to participate in a panel session, sharing their experience and expertise on this year’s group project theme.
In 2027, we will welcome a record 60 Fellows in response to industry demand for more places. Applications open in early August this year via our website. If there is someone in your organisation ready to grow as a leader and connect with their peers across the country, I encourage you to put their name forward. |
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Be part of the conversation. Send your news and updates to Insider.
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POLICY NEWS |
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Fit-for-purpose transport infrastructure
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As part of the 2026 program, Fellows are being asked to examine a public policy problem, understand its drivers, risks, opportunities, and stakeholder groups, and in groups develop a reform proposal to support Transport Australia’s advocacy platform.
This year, Fellows will look at the topic of fit-for-purpose transport infrastructure, and how the transport sector can apply technical guidance to support resilience, productivity and safety, while ensuring public funds are directed at interventions delivering the greatest value to the network.
The focus is on improved decision making, and supporting resilience and long-term performance, while recognising that different assets perform different roles across the transport system.
The topic stems from the TA Board Strategy Day, when transport agencies around Australia outlined their key priorities and one of the commonalities across jurisdictions included the better use of infrastructure technical policies, standards and specifications.
Fellows are asked to consider how governments and industry can apply risk-based and lifecycle-cost thinking to avoid both under-investment and over-investment. This includes ensuring public funds are directed to the interventions that deliver the greatest value across the broader network, rather than automatically lifting every asset to the highest possible standard.
Fellows will present their projects in November. |
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PROGRAM |
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Emerging Leaders Forum heads to Brisbane
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Transport Australia’s Emerging Leaders Forum will soon go on sale, with our next event in Brisbane.
Building on the strong momentum of recent Emerging Leaders events across the country, the Brisbane event will bring together the next generation of transport leaders for connection and industry insights.
Queensland is an exciting place to host this next workshop. With a major infrastructure pipeline underway and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games sharpening focus on delivery, integration and legacy, the state is at the centre of some of the most important transport challenges and opportunities in the country.
The Emerging Leaders program continues to create space for early and mid-career professionals to build networks, hear from senior industry voices and contribute to the future of Australia’s transport sector.
Tickets will go on sale from next week. Stay tuned for speaker and registration details. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Gabrielle Williams MP Industry Lunch | Melbourne | 24 June
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Victoria’s transport revolution over the last decade has delivered better travel, through level crossing removals, Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel, Regional Rail Revival, and thousands more V/Line and public transport services.
With North East Link, Sunshine Superhub, SRL, public transport pricing reforms and more bus services to growth suburbs, Victoria continues to align transport infrastructure and services to the future growth of its economy.
On 24 June, the Hon. Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for Public and Active Transport, will join Transport Australia to discuss Victoria’s transport future.
Join us for a timely conversation about where the network goes from here.
The event runs from 12pm to 2.30pm at W Melbourne.
Event sponsor: Arcadis. |
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Patrick Seares Industry Lunch | WA | 30 June
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Westport is a 100-year infrastructure initiative designed to transition Western Australia’s container trade from Fremantle to a new, high-capacity port and integrated road-rail network in Kwinana, projected for 2038.
It is one of the most ambitious freight and logistics projects anywhere in the world.
On 30 June, Westport’s managing director Patrick Seares will share industry insights and his strategic focus areas.
This includes how this new precinct will connect with existing infrastructure, the transition of freight to rail, and what is coming next in the delivery pipeline.
If your work touches major project delivery, ports, or heavy supply chains, this is an industry lunch not to miss.
The event runs from 12pm to 2.30pm at Optus Stadium.
Event sponsor: Arcadis. |
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Joe Szakacs MP Industry Lunch | Adelaide | 30 June
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South Australia has a once-in-a-generation infrastructure agenda: AUKUS, River Torrens to Darlington Project, and a new port precinct reshaping how the state moves goods.
With a newly appointed Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Hon. Joe Szakacs MP came to the role with a clear view of what he wants to do differently.
Join us on 30 June in Adaleide, as Transport Australia brings you in direct conversation with the Minister about where South Australia’s transport priorities are heading.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from a minister at the start of his term. Bring your questions and walk away with a clear picture of what the government’s agenda means for your work.
The event runs from 12pm to 2.30pm at Adelaide Oval (Ian McLachlan Room).
Event sponsor: SMEC. |
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Sally Stannard Industry Lunch | Brisbane | 26 June
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Queensland is delivering Australia’s largest infrastructure agenda, with the once-in-a-generation Brisbane Olympics and a pipeline that cannot afford to slow down.
On 26 June, Sally Stannard, Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), will share priority focus areas, and what comes next in the delivery pipeline.
Joining the conversation will be Trevor Land, TMR Project Director (Significant Projects) – North Coast Region, and Allan Uhlmann, from TMR Program Management and Delivery, bringing a delivery perspective to the country’s most watched programs.
The event runs from 12pm to 2.30pm at the Westin Brisbane.
Event sponsor: Stantec. |
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Josh Murray Industry Lunch | Sydney | 11 June
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NSW’s mega-project environment is shifting. The State Budget is just days away.
Join us on 11 June, as Josh Murray, NSW Secretary of Transport, shares how the state is moving from building big to getting smarter with what it already has, what that means for the pipeline, and how Transport for NSW is thinking about value, integration and customer experience in a tighter fiscal environment.
The event runs from 12pm to 2.30pm at the Wharf Room, Hyatt Regency Sydney.
Event sponsor: SMEC
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PEOPLE MOVES |
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Peter Regan has stepped down as CEO Sydney Metro to take up a new opportunity outside government. |
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Hugh Lawson, who led construction delivery of Sydney Metro City, is now Acting Chief Executive of Sydney Metro, succeeding Peter Regan. |
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Mark Fletcher has joined DT Infrastructure as General Manager Rail, bringing over 25 years of experience leading rail operations and major projects across Australia and the UK. |
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Dr Paul Wilkinson has stepped into the role of APAC Executive Director at SLR Consulting, driving strategic growth and operational excellence across the region. |
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Dr Carla Boehl and Dr Devinder Grewal have been appointed to the AMSA Board for three-year terms. |
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Angela Kelly has stepped in as Group Executive, Finance and Risk at Engineers Australia, managing financial frameworks and risk mitigation for the professional engineering body. |
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INDUSTRY NEWS |
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Women in Industry Awards: TA members among finalists
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The 2026 Women in Industry Awards finalists have been announced, and Transport Australia members are well represented.
Among the finalists across 14 categories are professionals from Fulton Hogan, SMEC, CPB Contractors, Systra ANZ, Transport for NSW and Aurecon.
Finalists include Alysse Reedy and Lisa Dimitrijevic (Fulton Hogan), Alexandra Kelly and Caroline Luczynski (SMEC), Olga Mikhaylova (CPB Contractors), Andrea Edney (Systra ANZ), Jacqueline Madsen (Transport for NSW), Nina Zundel (Aurecon) and Angela Julianto (Fulton Hogan).
Categories range from Excellence in Engineering and Transport to Mentor of the Year and Rising Star.
Congratulations to all finalists. |
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Transport ministers meet to tackle fuel, freight and e-mobility
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Infrastructure and Transport Ministers met virtually last week to work through several pressing issues.
Fuel and supply chains. Ministers acknowledged the pressure from the Middle East conflict and agreed to keep working together to keep Australia moving.
Freight on rail and ship. A new $55 million pilot program will support more fuel-efficient freight movements. Commonwealth rail freight investment has reached $2.8 billion.
E‑mobility devices. Ministers agreed to move towards a national regulatory framework for e‑scooters and other devices, including mandatory product standards.
Ministers will meet again in the second half of 2026. |
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Get in front of industry. Contribute to the next edition of Insider, out 18 June.
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