GPOP!26 Conference
Description
The Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) is entering an important new phase of growth.
Now in its ninth year, the GPOP! Conference, has become a leading forum for bringing together government, industry and the community to discuss the future of Sydney's Central City.
Business Western Sydney is delighted to invite you to our annual GPOP!26 Conference on 30 September 2026. Hear directly from The Hon. Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning, and Public Spaces, with more speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.
The conference will also examine the major projects and policy decisions shaping the region, including:
The opening of Powerhouse Parramatta and its role in driving cultural investment, visitation and economic activity.
The transformation of Parramatta North, Sydney Olympic Park into vibrant mixed-use precincts.
The NSW Government's priorities as the State approaches the 2027 election.
Progress on Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 and the opportunities emerging along the corridor.
Future transport connectivity, including metro expansion and the long-term economic potential of high speed rail.
We look forward to welcoming you to GPOP!26.
Agenda
- 8:50 am - 8:55 am
Executive Open
David Borger, Executive Director, Business Western Sydney
- 8:55 am - 9:00 am
Acknowledgement of Country
Kerrie-Anne McLeod, Venue & Events Manager, Business Western Sydney
- 9:00 am - 9:10 am
Lord Mayors Welcome
Lord Mayor, City of Parramatta
- 9:10 am - 9:20 am
Keynote Address
Darren Cleary, Managing Director, Sydney Water
- 9:20 am - 9:40 am
Keynote Address
The Hon. Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning & Public Spaces Followed by a moderated Q&A with David Borger
- 9:40 am - 9:50 am
Keynote Address
Speaker TBC
- 9:50 am - 10:10 am
PANEL: Planning for 2050: Shaping the City of the Future
Thomas Watt, Director Urban Renewal and Environment, Sydney Olympic Park Authority (TBC) Daniel Cavallo, Director - Environment and Planning , Cumberland City Council Kelly van der Zanden, Group Manager, City Design & Planning, City of Parramatta Filomena Beshara, Development Manager - ESG and Innovation Lead , Freecity Moderated by: David Borger, Executive Director, Business Western Sydney
- 10:10 am - 10:20 am
Keynote Address
Daniel Cavallo, Director - Environment and Planning , Cumberland City Council
- 10:20 am - 10:30 am
Built to Change: Designing Buildings Beyond Their First Use
Michael Romano, Executive Director - Development, Freecity
- 10:30 am - 10:40 am
Fireside Chat: Modern Take: The missing piece of Parramatta
Ishaan Nudurupati, Student, Girraween High School Moderated By: Professor Zoe Terpening, Pro Vice-Chancellor - Precincts, UNSW
- 10:40 am - 11:00 am
PANEL: Beyond the Buildings - Activating Parramatt
Elliot Solomon, Chief Executive Officer, Solotel Alex Treglown, Co-Founder & Director, 180 Cadence Representative Charlene Bordley, Founder, Addventageous Bike Community Moderated By: Anthony Segaert, Parramatta Bureau Chief, The Sydney Morning Herald (TBC)
- 11:00 am - 11:30 am
MORNING TEA BREAK
- 11:30 am - 11:45 am
Keynote Address
The Hon. Natalie Ward MLC, Shadow Minister for Transport and Infastructure, Shadow Minister for Sport followed by a moderated Q&A with David Borger
- 11:45 am - 11:55 am
Keynote Address
Raquel Rubalcaba, Acting Deputy Secretary Infrastructure Projects and Engineering , Transport for NSW (TBC)
- 11:55 am - 12:20 pm
PANEL: Connecting The West
Dan Powrie, General Manager Delivery, High Speed Rail Authority Giles Thomas, Principal and High Speed Rail Technical Director, Arup Sydney Metro Representative (TBC)
- 12:20 pm - 12:30 pm
Keynote Address
The Hon. Steve Kamper MP, Minister for Sport, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism
- 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
PANEL: Four Projects, One Growing Region
Professor Matthew Hindson AM, Deputy Head of School and Deputy Dean Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney Speakers to be announced Moderated By: Alan Mascarenhas, Executive Manager, Policy & Advocacy, Business Western Sydney
- 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
PANEL: Destination Western Sydney
Ally Gibson, Head of Hotels Research, CBRE Gabriel Polias, General Manager, QT Parramatta Stephen Mahoney, Executive Director - Industry Support and Partnerships, Destination NSW Abbie Galvin, Acting Chief Executive, Powerhouse Parramatta Moderated By: Lyn Lewis-Smith OAM GAICD, Non Executive Director, Business NSW
- 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
LUNCH & NETWORKING
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
