TIP MELBOURNE 2026 SUMMIT

Explore the Four Key Pillars of TIP Melbourne 2026

This summit is built around four critical themes, each designed to provide actionable insights into the most pressing challenges facing the infrastructure sector today.

1. Government & Policy: Navigating the Victorian pipeline

In an era of tight budgets and competing priorities, how do we maintain momentum on Victoria’s ambitious infrastructure pipeline? This module brings together senior leaders from Infrastructure Victoria and Infrastructure Australia to provide a candid assessment of the state’s investment outlook, delivery challenges, and the reforms needed to ensure long-term success.

2. Funding & Financing: The shift to systemic stewardship

The old funding models are no longer enough. This theme explores the global shift toward systemic stewardship, sustainable finance, and innovative investment models. Hear directly from the Global Infrastructure Investor Alliance (GIIA) and pioneers from the Investor Group on Climate Change and WWF on how private capital and new approaches are being unlocked to drive decarbonisation and build resilient communities.

3. Delivery & Digitalisation: Unlocking billions in hidden value

Data is the most under-utilised asset in the infrastructure sector. Led by an international keynote from Professor Andy Neely (University of Cambridge), this module reveals how valuing data can unlock billions in benefits. We’ll move from theory to practice with a panel of digital experts from firms like Beca, providing a roadmap for building the business case for data-driven delivery.

4. The Future: Talent, AI & radical transparency

The future of the industry hinges on two things: talent and technology. This forward-looking theme confronts the disruptive force of AI and automation with futurist Tim Williams (Grimshaw). We then tackle the “Talent War” head-on in a dynamic panel featuring Consult Australia’s 2025 Emerging Leader, Natalie Ambroso (GHD), examining the cultural and strategic shifts needed to attract and empower the next generation.

EVENT DETAILS

  • Date:  Wednesday, 25 February 2026
  • Time:  10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. followed by summit drinks [Registration from 9:00 am]
  • Venue:  Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston St, Carlton VIC 3053
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AGENDA

8.00 AM  Breakfast reception and event registration opens 
9.15 AM  Event commencement   Welcome & Opening Remarks 
9.30 AM  Chairperson’s Address: The State of Infrastructure Performance in 2025 
9.45 AM 

Opening Ministerial Address: Reimagining Infrastructure Performance in a Modern World

Followed by keynote interview

10:20 AM Keynote interview: Harnessing AI and emerging technologies for infrastructure performance
11.00 AM  Networking Coffee Break 
11.25 AM International keynote interview with ICE incoming president David Porter
11.55 AM  Keynote Speech & Panel: Who will build it tomorrow? Labour, skills, AI and the future of infrastructure delivery 
12.40 PM  Keynote Interview: From blueprint to build with the National Construction Strategy 
1.00 PM  Networking Lunch 
1.45 PM  Keynote Speech & Panel: Unlocking productivity through systems approaches for the built environment 
2.25 PM  Keynote Interview – A UK-Australia dialogue on infrastructure, digital transformation, and global collaboration 
3.00 PM  Networking Coffee Break 
3.20 PM  Keynote Speech & Panel: Funding and Financing Models and Stakeholder Frameworks for the Future of Infrastructure Delivery
4.00 PM  Closing Reflections 
4.15 PM  Event Close 

LEADERSHIP

Mark Coates

Vice President, Infrastructure Policy Advancement

Matt Gijselman

Director, Infrastructure Policy Advancement APAC

Antony Oliver

Moderator, Host of The Infrastructure Podcast

SPEAKERS

Jill Riseley

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Victoria 

Sophie Fox

Acting Chief of Planning & Insights, Infrastructure Australia 

Dr. Donna Lopata

Investor Group for Climate Change 

Alison Atherton

Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS 

Monica Richter

WWF & Materials & Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) 

Lani Johns

Indigenous Energy Australia 

Michael Eyley

Consul General of the United Kingdom with responsibility for South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria 

Professor Andy Neely

OBE, FREng, FAcSS, University of Cambridge, Founder of bleeta.ai, Co-founder of Anmut

Neil Thompson

Head of Digital Transformation, Beca 

Tim Williams

Cities Lead, Grimshaw Architecture + Planning 

Natalie Ambroso

(GHD) Consult Australia 2025 Emerging Leader 

Alfredo Brockman

Co-Founder & CEO, Project Advisory Group 

Matthew Gallaugher

Director of Digital, WSP  

Kristy Eulenstein

Head of Policy and Government Relations, Consult Australia 

Carl Retschko

Co-Head of Origination, Plenary Group

Teeshal Bal

General Manager Planning & Integration, Metro Trains Melbourne

Timothy May

Investment Director, Infrastructure, IFM Investors

WHY TIP MATTERS

TIP Summit Melbourne is about rethinking how we deliver infrastructure when the old playbook no longer works. With Victoria facing unprecedented fiscal pressure, the sector needs bold ideas and practical solutions to fund, build, and manage assets in smarter ways. 

TIP is where global best practice meets actionable insight. It’s a forum for collaboration between government, industry, and technology leaders – breaking down silos and driving systems thinking across the entire infrastructure lifecycle. In an era of rising costs, skills shortages, and accelerating demand, TIP provides a platform to explore how innovation, AI, and data can transform delivery and performance. 

The value of TIP lies in its scale: 

  • Big enough to host a full-day program with senior decision-makers from across the infrastructure ecosystem. 
  • Small enough to ensure every participant can engage in meaningful conversations throughout the day.


This is not another conference. It’s a working summit designed to spark ideas, forge partnerships, and set the agenda for Victoria’s infrastructure future. 

Register your interest and stay tuned for speaker announcements! 

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REGISTER HERE

Join a select group of infrastructure leaders, policymakers, and innovators for a meaningful exchange of ideas. These invite-only gatherings offer a chance to explore forward-thinking approaches, share your perspective, and help shape the future of infrastructure. Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot.

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