Conference Agenda

Ministerial Address

Hon. Michael Ferguson, Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for State Growth, Tasmania

Bringing Life to Launceston – The City Heart Project

• Launceston’s 10-year City Deal is maximising the city’s potential by focusing on key objectives that target jobs and skill growth, business, and industry and population growth in order to create a more vibrant and liveable city.
• Revitalising the city by improving access to education and employment opportunities, stimulating economic growth and providing local industries and businesses with the confidence to make future investments in Launceston and the surrounding region.
• City Deal updates.

Examining Tasmania’s Southern Growth Area

• Created in collaboration with the Tasmanian Government and the Clarence, Glenorchy, Hobart and Kingborough Councils, a legislative framework has been established to drive strategic decision making across the region and develop a blueprint for future strategic infrastructure investment.
• The Hobart City Deal is a partnership between Federal, State and the Hobart metropolitan councils to embrace the budding opportunities for growth within the areas whilst also addressing emerging challenges.
• Affectionally known as one of the Greater Hobart Councils, Glenorchy is a growing urban community that boasts numerous housing, employment and investment opportunities.

Mayor Kristie Johnston, Mayor, Glenorchy City Council

SPEED NETWORKING

This speed networking session will allow delegates to introduce themselves and swap business cards with those they are seated with and other summit attendees.

Managing growth and expectations – Hobart Airport's Step Change

• Over 5% year on year domestic growth for the past 5 years and welcoming over 65% of all visitors to Tasmania - Hobart Airport needs to expand
• Property Strategy - The need to diversify
• Infrastructure needs – a staged approach

Julian Green, General Manager Assets and Delivery, Hobart Airport

The Road Ahead – Mac Point on The Move

• Mac Point is moving ahead with plans underway to release the first parcel of land for permanent development.
• Mary will look at the year ahead and the major milestones that will take place for the precinct as well as discuss the complexities that the Corporation has faced in getting it to this stage.
• This is an exciting time for the Macquarie Point Development Corporation and the legacy we will leave will be one that is well considered, responsible and something to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Mary Massina, Chief Executive Officer, Macquarie Point Development Corporation

Tasmanian Tourism At An All Time High

• Tourism directly and indirectly supports approximately 17.2% of the total Tasmanian employment, the highest percentage in the country and higher than the national average.
• Directly contributing $1.49 billion to Tasmania’s Gross State Product, the tourism industry is continuing to grow through influential and collaborative partnerships between the public and private sector.
• What it means to have a Healthy Tasmanian Visitor Economy.

John Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Tasmania

Boosting Tasmania’s Ports 

• Tasmania’s four main ports will be treated to large expansions under a $200 million plus master plan: $80 million will be invested at Burnie, with improved logistics and supply chain infrastructure for minerals exports, and improved cruise facilities allowing for more ship visits and tourism growth.
• A $50-$60 million development at Devonport will extend berthing facilities for passengers, cargo and freight, allowing an additional 160,000 passengers to annually enter Devonport.
• A further $50-60 million will help develop a new Antarctic logistics precinct in Hobart, to support the Tasmanian Antarctic Gateway Strategy and attract further international programs.
• A $10 million investment will improve berthing capacity at Bell Bay, optimising port facilities for industry and enabling forestry and mining exports from multiple berths and upgrading fuel pipelines.

Stephen Casey, TasPorts Chief Operating Officer, TasPorts

TasWater’s Long Term Strategic Plan: 2018 – 2037

In August 2017 TasWater published its 20 year Long Term Strategic Plan (LTSP) covering the period from July 2017 to June 2036.

The LTSP identifies the key outcomes TasWater is seeking to deliver for its customers and the broader Tasmanian community over a 20-year period. The LTSP priorities have been aligned to reflect what matters most for its customers.

The highest priority as identified by customers is the provision of safe, clean, good tasting drinking water.  Consistent with its LTSP, TasWater made the removal of all drinking water Public Health Alerts (Boil water Alerts and Do Not Consume notices) its highest priority. In August 2018 it announced the successful delivery of its 24 Glasses program involving the removal of drinking water public health alerts for 28 towns which included the construction of 17 water treatment plants and four pipelines over a two year period.

Other key priorities for improvement under the LTSP include environmental and dam safety compliance, service reliability and water surety; all of which are addressed in its LTSP.

TasWater is now into the third year of its LTSP and will refresh the LTSP in June 2020.

TasWater’s LTSP has acted as a key foundational document for the organisation and led to a number of significant strategic direction decisions to enable its successful delivery. It has meant a complete review of its delivery model, changes to resourcing and recruitment strategies, recognition that it needs to be more innovative and less risk averse and  embracing opportunities that come with advances in communications and digital technologies.

Mr Brewster will provide an overview of the history of the plan, its key elements, what progress has been made, key learnings to date and where to from here.  

Mike Brewster, Chief Executive Officer, TasWater

Contributing to Tasmania’s cities and regions: the University of Tasmania’s Transformation Projects

• Northern Transformation Project ($300M) at West Park, Burnie and Inveresk, Launceston, with construction underway in Burnie and due to commence mid 2020 in Launceston
• Southern Transformation Project will see the University consolidate its presence in the Hobart CBD over a 15 year timeline.
• Both are key to our strategy to improve Tasmania’s educational attainment, health, economic performance, social inclusion, cultural participation and environmental sustainability.

Developing Tasmania’s World Class Wind Resources: Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park 

• The $1.6 billion project will, make a significant contribution to state and national energy generation needs.
• The construction and ongoing maintenance will provide jobs and a significant economic boost for Tasmania
• The project is expected to have a generation capacity in the range of 400 to 1000MW.
• Significant associated infrastructure including transmission lines, roads, a bridge and a wharf will also form part of the Renewable Energy park.
• Project update

David Pollington, Chief Operating Officer, UPC Renewables

TasWater Capital Delivey Office (CDO) Capital Works Program

TasWater has established a Capital Delivery Office (CDO) with an alliance partner to manage the planning and delivery of a substantial capital works program. The CDO works as an extension of TasWater’s business and is delivering sustainable water and wastewater solutions for the Tasmanian community. The CDO will deliver circa $150m of capital projects annually throughout Tasmania.

Ian Penman, Alliance Program Manager, TasWater Capital Delivery Office

Marinus Link: Delivering Low-Cost, Reliable and Clean Energy

Tasmania has what a transforming National Electricity Market needs: clean and storable energy resources from existing high capacity hydro power stations, an abundance of world-class wind resources and low cost, long duration pumped hydro storage potential.

The potential to become Australia’s renewable energy powerhouse is only realised by building Marinus Link, a second Bass Strait electricity link, together with supporting Tasmanian transmission developments.

Marinus Link would be the biggest infrastructure project in Tasmania’s history, allowing Tasmania to become the Battery of the Nation, investing billions in the State and creating thousands of jobs.

Bess Clark, General Manager, Project Marinus, TasNetworks

PANEL DISCUSSION

Intergenerational Infrastructure: Exploring Implementation and Influence

• How to effectively deliver major infrastructure projects to best serve the state.
• Ensuring the economic benefits of major projects flow on to all regions of Tasmania.
• What infrastructure should be prioritised to promote urban development and economic growth?
• The construction skills shortage: is there a way around it?

Brian Wightman, Tasmanian Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
Craig Perkins, Chief Executive Officer & Director of Regional Development, Regional Development Australia - Tasmania
David Finnigan, Committee President, Engineers Australia Tasmania Division
Emily Jeffrey, Director - Government Grants and Incentives, PwC Australia
Paul Liggins, Partner, Deloitte Access Economics

Strategic Infrastructure Projects: An Address from the Department of Justice

• Exploring the infrastructure required to provide for custodial corrections in Tasmanian prisons, and access to justice through Tasmanian courts.
• How the Department of Justice will address these requirements, through the current and future development of strategic infrastructure projects.
• Planning and managing budget and resources in order to bring these projects to fruition.

Energy and Resources Growth in Tasmania

• Updates on Tranche 3 of the Tasmanian Irrigation Scheme.
• Phase 1 of Tranche 3 will focus on the Don, Sassafras Wesley Vale, Fingal, Northern Midlands, and Tamar Irrigation Schemes.
• The aim is to deliver 78,000 megalitres of water, 479 kilometres of pipeline, seven dams, 23 pump stations and four power stations.

Andrew Kneebone, Chief Executive Officer, Tasmanian Irrigation

Tasmania’s Affordable Housing Plan: Delivering Safe and Secure Accommodation

• The plan will assist and address the full spectrum of housing, including social and community housing, and private rentals.
• Exploring the ins and outs of the $125 million strategy.
• Project updates.

Brian Wightman, Tasmanian Executive Director, Property Council of Australia

Granville Harbour Wind Farm - Bringing Clean Energy to Tasmania
Granville Harbour Wind Farm will capitalise on Tasmania’s enviable wind potential while simultaneously helping the State achieve its goal of becoming 100% reliant on renewable energy by 2022. Specialist project teams onsite are utilising groundbreaking techniques for constructing the $280 million asset.  

This presentation will cover:

• Complexities of delivering large infrastructure projects in the remote West Coast.
• Critical value of building social licence to support renewable energy developments.
• Ensuring a flow of local economic investment from renewable energy construction projects for Tas and the West Coast.

Lyndon Frearson, Project Director, Granville Harbour Wind Farm

Moving Tasmania Closer to Battery of the Nation (BotN)

• The vision for the Battery of the Nation: a significant contribution to Australia’s transition to a clean energy future
• A comprehensive hydropower portfolio response to more interconnection
• Planning for the future – creating sustainable project delivery pathways to set us up for success
• Connecting with communities – the importance of authentic regional engagement

Christopher Gwynne, Project Director, Battery of the Nation Initiative, Hydro Tasmania

Transforming Australia’s Blue Economy

Announced in Launceston on Tuesday, 16 April 2019 by Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews, the Blue Economy CRC aims to drive an evolution in marine-based industries, unlocking enormous economic, environmental and technological benefits. This project is a 10-year collaboration between 40+ national and international partners from industry, research and government, underpinned by a $70 million cash investment from the Federal Government. The Blue Economy CRC imagines a future where integrated seafood and renewable energy production systems operate offshore and where the community and industry have confidence they are safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible.

Dr John Whittington, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Economy CRC

PANEL DISCUSSION

Bringing the Project Pipeline to Fruition

• Exploring the challenges and solutions to deliver public and private infrastructure currently in the Tasmanian pipeline.
• What role does land use planning and design play in the conception of major projects and how does it impact quality of life and liveability?
• How to prioritise infrastructure to best benefit current and future Tasmanians.

Hugh Griggs, Senior Land Use Planner (Hobart), Jacobs
Mary Haverland, Technical Executive, Transport Advisory and Planning, WSP
Rebecca Greenwood, Program and Project Consultant/Operations Manager, Resonance Consulting
Robert Mallett, Executive Officer, Small Business Council

Shining a Light on Innovation in City Government

There is a traditional view that local governments administer civil and waste projects, yet the complex problems facing cities today aren’t resolved with “rates roads and rubbish” solutions. So, how do city managers pivot to embed innovation as “the thing we now do” to make change, scale and speed the new normal? The City of Hobart has enacted broad structural changes over the last two years. These changes have initially set the foundation for delivery of its Connected Hobart smart cities program. However, importantly, these changes will also allow Council to consider the impacts of the relocation of UTAS into the city centre and to collaborate through a range of strategic partnerships on the activation of Macquarie Point and the implementation of multiple city-shaping initiatives within the Greater Hobart City Deal.

Peter Carr, Director City Innovation, City of Hobart