Speakers
Audio recordings of this year’s presentations are available on DVD. To request a copy, call ALGA on 02 6122 9400.
- Tim Fischer: Keynote speaker
- Crispin Hull: Former editor and journalist with The Canberra Times
- Geoff Anson: Geoff Anson Consulting
- Jeanette Schwarz: Department of the Environment, Water Heritage and the Arts
- Nick Dimopoulos: National Transport Commission
- Peter Daly: Royal Automobile Club of Victoria
- Ross Gregory: Mornington Shire Council
- Peter Harriott: Greater Shepparton City Council
- Kerry Hayes: Central Highlands Regional Council
- Patrick Hill: Outback Highway Development Council
- Sharon Kennard: Allen Consulting Group
- Chris Koniditsiotis: Transport Certification Australia
- Lachlan McDonald: Victorian Department of Transport
- Stewart McLeod: Dubbo City Council
- Hal Morris: Australian Logistics Council
- Matthew Nelson: Greater Shepparton City Council
- Simon Skazlic: K&S Corporation
- Stuart St Clair: Australian Trucking Association
- Geoff Swainson: Local Government New Zealand
- Alan Tesch: Austroads
- Steven Walsh: Gannawarra Shire Council
Keynote speaker: Tim Fischer
Former Army Officer, NSW State Parliamentarian, Leader of the National Party, Minister for Trade and Deputy Prime Minister, now Consultant, Company Director, Author and Multiple Patron, Tim Fischer has had a distinguished career.
First elected to Federal Parliament in 1984, Tim has been the Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and the Federal Parliamentary National Party Liaison Officer for Western Australia. He has served on the Transport Safety Committee, Committee on Aircraft Noise and the Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructure.
A consummate speaker, Tim draws on his broad range of experience in public and private life to deliver challenging and informative presentations on a range of issues.
Tim will be speaking about the emerging challenges of transport in the 21st Century and the key role that local government has in providing the first mile of most journeys.
To view Tim Fischer's presentation slides please click here.
Crispin Hull: PR Workshop with Crispin Hull
Crispin is a former editor and journalist with The Canberra Times for over 30 years, specialising in legal, national and local affairs.
Since he left the paper, Crispin continues to be an active participant in public life. He teaches journalism at the University of Canberra; writes a weekly column for The Canberra Times; writes the editorial matter for allhomes.com.au; contributes to other publications and appears intermittently on ABC radio and television. Crispin spent his early life in rural Victoria and is well-versed in regional matters.
At this year's Congress, Crispin will be running two media and public relations workshops. These workshops will be focused on crisis management and provide a unique hands on opportunity to learn from real-life roads and transport-related case studies and examples. This will enable participants to gain the confidence and experience to manage the media in the midst of emergency situations by capitalising on relationships with key journalists and ensuring that local government is reflected in a positive and professional light.
This workshop follows on from the highly successful media concurrent session at the National General Assembly. Places are strictly limited to 30 people per workshop and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. To secure your place, please indicate your attendance on the registration form and return it as soon as you can.
Geoff Anson
Geoff is a strategic transport planner who has spent over 35 years working on transport and land use. As the Director responsible for strategic planning and integrated transport planning in the Victorian Department of Infrastructure, Geoff was responsible for urban and rural integrated transport strategies, Melbourne 2030, the Victorian Rural and Regional Strategy and transport policy. Previously Geoff managed VicRoads network strategies in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
In 2004 Geoff established Geoff Anson Consulting. Since then he has worked for local, state and Commonwealth governments on infrastructure planning, urban congestion, vehicle technologies, urban planning, integrated transport and land use planning and freight planning; including preparation of the Austroads Guidelines for Freight Routes in Urban and Rural Areas. Geoff’s current work includes the development of Austroads guidelines for the assessment of heavy and restricted access vehicles on local roads.
To view Geoff Anson's presentation slides please click here.
Jeanette Schwarz
Jeanette Schwarz is Acting Director of the Technology Futures Team within the Technology and Transport Branch of the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water Heritage and the Arts.
The Branch is responsible for the delivery of government programs and policy advice across a range of technologies and fuels and includes the Alternative Fuels Conversion Program (AFCP).
The AFCP was designed to improve the environmental performance of the heavy duty vehicle fleet in Australia, with a strong focus on greenhouse gas emissions. Jeanette is currently coordinating the outcomes of the joint Australian Transport Council and Environment Protection and Heritage Council working group on vehicle fuel efficiency measures which will report later this year.
Jeanette has been with the Australian Government for the past seven years and prior to that worked with the New South Wales Government on a range of environmental matters.
To view Jeanette Schwarz's presentation slides please click here.
Nick Dimopoulos
Nick Dimopoulos was appointed Chief Executive and Commissioner of the National Transport Commission (NTC) in October 2006. He was formerly the Acting CEO for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), a leading independent think tank and research organisation, promoting debate on public policy issues, including water management, education, taxation and the future economic direction for Australia.
Nick has experience in the mining, agribusiness, infrastructure and financial sectors having previously held senior executive positions in Victorian Treasury, AWB Ltd and BHP Billiton. In the Victorian Treasury, he provided high level financial and economic advice to the State Treasurer and Premier and oversaw the handing down of three State budgets.
At AWB, he developed the strategy and plan for the public listing of the organisation and, at BHP Billiton, was involved in a number of mergers and acquisitions. Nick’s experience also extends overseas working in China on World Bank infrastructure development projects. Nick holds an economics degree from the Australian National University (ANU) and has completed a number of post-graduate programs.
To view Nick Dimopoulos's presentation slides please click here.
Peter Daly
Peter Daly leads RACV’s traffic and transport group, which is responsible for providing advocacy and information services to RACV members and the wider community on issues such as transport safety, transport infrastructure, traffic management, traveller information and transport regulation.
Peter sits on a number of state, national and international government advisory councils and industry bodies, representing RACV and/or the Australian Automobile Association. He is Technical Committee Chair of the AAA motoring clubs’ road assessment program, AusRAP, which star rates roads for safety in line with similar international programs.
Prior to joining RACV, he lectured in Civil Engineering at Monash University and worked as a specialist consultant in the transport industry. Peter continues to teach in Monash’s undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Peter is also an active member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers—the international scientific and education organisation which represents over 15,000 transport engineering professionals in 80 countries. He was a Director on ITE’s International Board (based in Washington DC) from 2005–07, representing Australasia, Europe and South America.
To view Peter Daly's presentation slides please click here.
Ross Gregory
Ross Gregory has been a Traffic Engineer with the Mornington Peninsula Shire since 2004. In this time he has served secondments with both ARRB Group and Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), focusing on Road Safety Research projects.
Ross has been integral in the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s use of the NetRisk road assessment system for its rural road network. He has seen the project through from the initial assessment through to the mapping of results and implementation of improvement projects with the Shire’s road maintenance contractors.
As is often the case in the land 'of droughts and flooding rains' this presentation reflects on the wonderful participation of the local community and the achievements made and the lessons hopefully learnt.
To view Ross Gregory's presentation slides please click here.
Peter Harriott
Peter has 23 years experience in local government, commencing as a graduate engineer in Warrnambool in 1985. He secured promotions in his field of engineering at a number of rural councils prior to his appointment in 2000 at the Greater Shepparton City Council where he commenced as the Director of Development and Infrastructure.
His qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Municipal Engineer’s Certificate, Water Engineer’s Certificate, Graduate Certificate in Water Engineering, Municipal Building Surveyor and a Master of Business Administration.
Kerry Hayes
Kerry Hayes is a local government councillor of the Central Highlands Regional council based in Emerald Central Queensland.
He was a councillor for 11 years on the Emerald Shire council prior to the amalgamation process in Queensland and was elected to the new council in March 2008. During January of 2008 as the acting Mayor of the Shire of Emerald, a significant flood event impacted Central Queensland from Mackay in the north and moved inland through the Belyando River and into the Nogoa River catchment which runs through the township of Emerald. The Fairbairn Dam upstream of the township and with a capacity of 1.3 million megalitres and at historic lows during the previous 2 years, filled in 3 days and achieved a capacity of 170%, creating a spillway discharge exceeding 4.4 metres. This created unprecedented problems for the Local Disaster Management Group and the Emergency Management Queensland state government department which were responsible for emergency response and management of the event.
To view Kerry Hayes's presentation slides please click here.
Patrick Hill
Patrick Hill was first elected as a Councillor for the Shire of Laverton in 1992 and is currently serving as Deputy President. Since his commencement as a Councillor, Patrick has been a proactive campaigner for promoting and implementing Regional Development and Tourism Development in the Northern Goldfields of Western Australia.
Patrick’s involvement in the planning, development and completion of the $1.2m ‘Great Beyond Explorers Hall of Fame’ project has enabled Laverton to become a major tourism attraction for the Northern Goldfields Area. His dedication as Chairperson of the Outback Highway Development Council (OHDC) over the past eleven years has seen the Council secure $20m in road funding to upgrade the Outback Way, which runs from Laverton (WA) to Winton (QLD), via Alice Springs. The OHDC is currently in the final stages of rolling out its $500,000 integrated tourism plan.
As well as being a representative of the Shire of Laverton on the Tourism Northern Goldfields Development Group, a combined initiative of six Local Councils in the Northern Goldfields who are working collectively to raise awareness of the region as a tourist destination, Patrick has also served as a member of the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission, is currently a delegate to Western Australian Local Government Goldfields Esperance Country Zone, and the Agriculture Protection Board Zone 9 Goldfields Region.
Sharon Kennard
Sharon is a regulatory economist with over five years consulting experience with the Allen Consulting Group (ACG).
She is currently the Project Manager of ACG’s Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport, the Standards for public transport under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA). This review commenced in April 2007 and has included a national consultation and submissions process. The ACG review team is currently compiling its final report for the Australian Government Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
Sharon’s previous consulting experience includes a costbenefit analysis of Disability Standards for education and analysis of requirements under the DDA for employment and access to premises. She has also managed several studies for COAG on regulatory reform, including analysis of reform options for occupational licensing and building regulations.
Prior to joining ACG, Sharon was a research economist with the Productivity Commission and a Policy analyst with the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Chris Koniditsiotis
Chris Koniditsiotis was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Transport Certification Australia (TCA) in August 2005. Following a period from 2002 as National Manager for Austroads, delivering the Intelligent Access Program Feasibility and Implementation initiatives, he was Chief Executive Designate since early 2005 to establish and make ready TCA.
With more than 23 years experience in road and transport area, Chris has held senior positions nationally and internationally, in both public and private sector organisations.
Chris is firmly committed to a holistic approach to transport and infrastructure solutions including the consideration and balance of policy, regulatory, technical and business drivers to achieving successful outcomes. Chris has Bachelor and Master (Thesis) Degrees in Engineering.
To view Chris kondisiotis's presentation slides please click here.
Lachlan McDonald
Lachlan McDonald is Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the Victorian Department of Transport. He has worked in infrastructure and industry policy roles in the public and private sectors for more than 20 years, including at the Master Builders Association of Victoria, Regional Development Victoria and as a consultant to Melbourne Water. He was previously Director of Regional Infrastructure Development for the Victorian Government and Chief of Staff to the former Minister for Transport and Major Projects.
To view Lachlan McDonald's presentation slides please click here.
Stewart McLeod
Stewart has had 33 years professional involvement in public works engineering, with qualifications in Civil Engineering, Town Planning and Business Administration. His experience includes 5 years with the NSW Public Works Department and 28 years in NSW Local Government at Dubbo and Orange Councils, 16 of those at Director Technical Services level. He is active across a number of areas of Local Government in NSW generally, including roads and transport, water/wastewater, emergency management and Rural Fire Services.
To view Stewart McLeod's presentation slides please click here.
Hal Morris
Hal Morris started work as the Chief Executive of the Australian Logistics Council in January 2005. Since his appointment he has worked to tighten the focus of the ALC’s agenda and to build ALC into a partnership between all Australian Governments and the most senior leaders of the logistics industry that delivers clear, tangible results in priority areas including infrastructure, capable people and reform of regulation. In 2008 ALC now has the additional responsibility to lead industry in the development and implementation of a new national strategy for T&L.
Before the ALC, Hal worked in Queensland in various roles including Strategy and Government Affairs for QR, in the National Transport Secretariat, as an Executive Director in the Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet and as a Regional Director in the Queensland Transport Department.
Hal’s early career was in the Australian Regular Army where, after graduating from Duntroon, he flew helicopters in Army Aviation.
He holds an honours degree from the University of New South Wales and post graduate qualifications in Business Studies from New England University.
Matthew Nelson
Having worked across three states and with over ten years experience, Matt has developed a strong knowledge of local government. A former young Australian of the year finalist, Matt has predominantly worked in the field of economic development from small communities to regional centres such as Shepparton. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Urban and Regional Planning. Matt is currently undertaking Masters of Regional Development.
Simon Skazlic
Simon Skazlic has been employed with the K&S Corporation since 1990, holding various senior managerial roles. K&S Corporation employees 1300 staff, operating 700+ vehicles, travelling in excess of 40 million km’s per annum nationally.
Simon’s current role is General Manager—Compliance. Involved in many Industry working groups, most recently, Simon has been working on the ATA Fatigue Operator Group which represented the Industry during long and extensive negotiations with National and State, Road and WorkSafe Authorities on the new Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue Reform package.
From 1995 till 2005 Simon held a Board position on the Transport Distribution and Training Industry Advisory Board in Victoria including the role of Vice-Chair and Chair during this tenure.
Stuart St Clair
Stuart St Clair is Chief Executive of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA). Stuart joined the ATA in March 2006. The ATA is the peak national body for the Australian trucking industry, and includes an extensive network of member companies and industry associations covering all road transport sectors and states in Australia.
Prior to joining the ATA, Stuart was Chief of Staff to the NSW Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Roads, Mr Andrew Stoner MP. This follows three years in the Parliamentary Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Transport, The Hon John Anderson MP.
In his position of Senior Adviser, Stuart also fulfilled the responsibilities of Heavy Vehicle Adviser to the Minister and worked closely with Departments, the National Transport Commission, road authorities, transport companies, the ATA and many of the other associations around Australia.
Stuart’s experience has been gained through both a practical appreciation of the road transport task, the political process, policy development and implementation of that policy in government.
To view Stuart St Clair's presentation slides please click here.
Geoff Swainson
Geoff is a civil engineer with extensive local government experience in community services and economic development.
He has over 20 years experience working directly in local government with at least 15 of those years in a variety of senior management positions. Geoff also operated his own consultancy for 10 years covering a diverse range of activities including the preparation of strategies, policies and asset management plans for private clients and local authorities both nationally and internationally. He has a strong background in infrastructural asset management from both operational and strategic perspectives.
Currently Geoff is the Manager for Development and Infrastructure for Local Government New Zealand. His primary role is to work along side Government to ensure the local government perspective is taken into account in strategic planning, policy development and legislation. He serves on a number of national committees including the National Road Safety Management Group, the Road Controlling Authorities Forum Executive, the National Asset Management committee and the Sanitary and Water Technical Advisory Committee.
To view Geoff Swainson's presentation slides please click here.
Alan Tesch
Alan Tesch was appointed to the position of Director-General of the Department of Main Roads in 2005. Alan has over 20 years experience in senior positions across the Queensland public sector, focussing on policy development, implementation and service delivery.
Prior to joining Main Roads, Alan was Deputy Director- General in Queensland Transport. In this role, Alan took responsibility for leading various departmental functions, including Maritime Safety, Rail, Ports and Freight, Land Transport and Safety, departmental budget and finances, Corporate Governance and strategic positioning of the Department.
Alan is currently the Chair of Austroads. Formal qualifications consist of an Economics Honours Degree from the University of Queensland and maintenance of a number of professional associations, including Australian Road Forum, Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Finance and Treasury Association, the Australian Institute of Management, Engineers Australia, CEDA and the Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand.
To view Alan Tesch's presentation slides please click here.
Steven Walsh
The STEP program is a program of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). A consortium of consultants were engaged to facilitate the program with one being allocated to each participant. Gannawarra Shire is a relatively small shire with an extensive road network (2268 km) crisscrossing dry landand irrigation farming and is engaged in the program.
The program provides a framework that provides guidance through the processes necessary to develop an Asset Management Plan. At Gannawarra there has been a particular emphasis on community inclusion. A Road Focus Group (RFG) was formed.
The RFG was intimately involved in the development of the Road classification system, levels of service and to assist in research that is being undertaken into the use of roughness meters to provide an objective measure of the adequacy of the pavements. An unexpected benefit of the RFG is that it has become invaluable as a conduit for information to and from the community.
