Of the $100bn projects added to the Australia & New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline in 2023, $70bn were energy-related. Defence was the largest sector of non-energy projects, with just $6bn of new road/rail projects added. Against the background of this shift, the government needs to grapple with fiscal constraints, deliver the existing pipeline, avoid the headline “cost blowout”, and realise community benefits and expectations.

In this online webinar, we'll explore the key questions surrounding infrastructure delivery and the pressing issues that demand attention and action. From project prioritisation to access to skilled labour and resources, investor preferences, risk management, and the housing shortfall, our panel will discuss the crucial problems impacting the future of Australia's infrastructure development.

About our panellists

Sonya Campbell

Sonya is the Deputy Secretary, Commercial at the NSW Treasury. Sonya has worked on projects across multiple sectors, jurisdictions and contract models (including roads, rail, tunnels, hospitals, schools, telco, water and energy projects) and has advised both government and the private sector on commercial and financial structuring, governance and risk management on complex infrastructure projects for the past 20 years.

Thao Oakey

Thao is an experienced infrastructure professional with over 25 years of executive experience in major infrastructure financing, development and investment. Ms Oakey is currently a Non-Executive Director on the board of Sydney Metro (NSW Govt authority), UTA (a $8b utilities and airports fund) and WRC Carpenter, which owns the Worsley multi-fuel power plant in WA. Her previous board experience includes Westlink M7, Rivercity Motorway, Copperstring, WCX M4 and Wellington Gateway Partnership.

James Sherrard

James has spent nearly 30 years as a project manager within the construction sector with a focus on civic infrastructure including, hospitals, schools, sports stadiums, embassies and public buildings. He has worked extensively in Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia delivering projects for both governments and private sector clients. James is currently the Head of Commercial, Performance and Strategy at Transport for NSW where he leads a team of around 1000 staff within the Transport infrastructure delivery arm.

Donny Yap

Donny is passionate about supporting people, building capability and delivering better outcomes for clients and the community. As GM Strategy, Sustainability and Innovation for Ventia's Transport sector, Donny enjoys supporting the organisation's asset management, engineering and sustainability professionals to deliver great outcomes both individually and collectively.

Moderator

Martin Locke

Martin is an infrastructure specialist with over 30 years of experience. He is a former partner of PwC, having led the infrastructure advisory practice in Sydney for over 12 years. Prior, he was an investment banker with the Deutsche Morgan Grenfell group, focusing on infrastructure project financing. He has an independent private consultancy, Lidunian Partners, and has a portfolio of consulting and non-executive director roles. His clients have included Infrastructure Australia, NSW Government and Sydney Metro. He is an Adjunct Professor at UTS, UNSW and USYD Business School (Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies) and a Council Member of the International Project Finance Association.