West Fest 2025: Designing for Density

Attend IN-PERSON or LIVESTREAM: A half-day knowledge exchange exploring the challenges and opportunities of increasing density in Western Sydney and beyond. Now in its third year, West Fest (formerly the Western Sydney Symposium) brings together built environment professionals to reimagine our public spaces.

Presented by Cumberland City Council, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and Street Furniture Australia.

Please note this event is for approved industry professionals only. Please use your company email at registration.

Program

8.30 Coffee and Registration.

9.00 Introduction by Natalie McEvoy, AILA NSW President and Chris Manoski, Manager Place and Economy, Cumberland City Council.

Welcome to Country, Deerubbin Land Council.

9.20 Rapid 10-minute Talks

Density (Done Well) - Jeremy Gill, Head of Policy, Committee for Sydney

Designing Density for Health: Evidence, Equity, and Opportunity - Dr Jennifer Kent, Senior Research Fellow, University of Sydney

Delivering Density with Amenity - Jai Shankar, Executive Manager, City Planning & Dev., Cumberland City Council

Evolving the ‘Australian Dream’ - Landscape for Density - Esther Dickins, Principal, Architectus

10.00 Break and Networking.

10.30 Rapid 10-minute Talks

Moving with Country - Designing with Country the New Urbanism - Christian Hampson, CEO Design Lead, Yerrabingin

Streets, Seats and a Sense of Home - June Lee Boxsell, Head of Strategy and Innovation, Street Furniture Australia

11.00 Q&A with Speakers. Chaired by Joshua French, CEO, Greater Sydney Parklands.

11.45 Panel Discussion: Designing for Density in Western Sydney. Featuring:
Bill Tsakalos, Blacktown City Council, Natalia Krysiak, Cities for Play, Mark Egan, City of Parramatta.

12.30 Catered Lunch and Networking

This is an endorsed CPD activity for AILA members. This activity has been reviewed by AILA’s CPD Committee and is accredited with formal CPD points. Participants may self record as a CPD activity for 3 informal CPD points or 5 formal CPD points on completion of a reflective survey.