Municipal Works Conference and Exhibition

Wednesday, 18^th to Thursday, 19^th March 2026

MWA

Bendigo

2026

Resilience & Reinvention

Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo

Early bird is from now until 15 December . After that it's full price

Join industry leaders, innovators, and municipal professionals from across the country for the 2026 MWA National Conference in the historic heart of regional Victoria – Bendigo.

This year’s theme, “Resilience & Reinvention,” explores how local government and the municipal works sector are adapting to change, embracing innovation, and building stronger, more sustainable communities. From climate adaptation to workforce renewal, digital transformation to community engagement – this conference is about facing the future with confidence and creativity.

Hear from thought leaders and changemakers

Engage in interactive technical presentations

Discover new products and services in the exhibitor showcase

Network with peers and partners from across Australia

Whether you're on the tools, managing teams, designing strategy, or shaping policy, this is your opportunity to learn, connect, and lead.

Let’s shape the next chapter of municipal works together, with resilience and through reinvention.

Conference Outline Date

Wednesday, 18

8.00 am

REGISTRATION OPEN

9.00 am

EXHIBITION HALL OPEN

SESSION 1

WELCOME AND KEYNOTE ADDRESSES

CHAIRED BY: Alan Jones | Manager Operations, Central Goldfields Shire

8.30 am to 8.45 am

MUNICIPAL WORKS TRANSFORMED: Resilience & Reinvention in Action

Dr Peter Ali | CEO, Municipal Works Australia

8.45 am to 9.30 am

RESILIENCE IN MOTION: Building Modus and Navigating the Road Ahead

Negin Vaez | CEO, Modus Transport and Traffic Engineering

9.30 am to 10.00 am

REINVENTING MUNICIPAL WORK AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE AGE OF AI

Prof Daswin De Silva | Professor of Ai and Analytics, La Trobe University

10.00 am to 10.30 am

FROM INNOVATION TO IMPACT: Reinventing Municipal Solutions

Zoran Ovuka | Chief Technology Officer, Smarterlite

10.30 am to 11.30 am

MORNING TEA & EXHIBITION HALL VISIT

SESSION 2

ROAD SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE

CHAIRED BY: Brian Weeks | President MWA Queensland

11.30 am to 12.00 am

BALANCING COST, CONDITION AND COMMUNITY: Asset Management for Gravel Roads

Craig Maffescioni | Manager Operational Services, Gannawarra Shire

12.00 am to 12.30 pm

PRACTICAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Thuan Nguyen | Traffic Lead, Safe System Solutions

12.30 pm to 1.00 pm

REINVENTING ROAD ASSET INSPECTIONS WITH AI

Michael Cybulsk | CEO, Retina Visions

1.00 pm to 2.00 pm

BUFFET LUNCH & EXHIBITION HALL VISIT

SESSION 3

NEXT GEN PANEL: Shaping the Future of Municipal Works

2:00 pm to 3:30 pm

The Next Gen Panel brings together emerging and established voices from across the municipal works profession to explore resilience and reinvention.

PANELLISTS: Sheridan Kilner (AGA Intowork), Olivia Salamone (Team Leader Construction Engineering, Knox City Council), Vanessa Huxley (Partner, Davidson Search & Advisory), and James Backhouse (Works Planning Coordinator, City of Dandenong), along with other rising leaders, will share their insights on career pathways, workforce diversity, leadership development, and the changing face of local government operations.

SESSION 4

OUTDOOR DEMONSTRATIONS

HOSTED BY: Darren Findlay | Works Coordinator, City of Hobson Bay

3.30 pm to 4.30 pm

Experience firsthand the exciting product and service demonstrations highlighting the cutting-edge innovations in municipal works.

Don‘t miss out on this opportunity to witness the latest advancements!

6:00 pm to 10:30 pm

KOMATSU CONFERENCE DINNER

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME
Mauro Starc | Board Chair, Municipal Works Australia

DINNER ENTERTAINMENT
Darren Carr | Comedian and Ventriloquist

Thurday, 19

7.00 am

REGISTRATION OPEN

8.00 am

EXHIBITION HALL OPEN

SESSION 5

MUNICIPAL WORKS

7.15 am to 8.00 am

COGB TOOLBOX MEETING

Municipal works staff from the City of Greater Bendigo and neighbouring councils in the Bendigo region! Get ready for an exclusive and engaging toolbox session designed just for you.

SESSION 6

BUSINESS BREAKFAST

8.00 am to 8.30 am

BREAKFAST SERVED

8.30 am to 8.40 am

OPENING THE DAY: Business Breakfast with MWA

Peter Donato | President MWA Tasmania

8.40 am to 8.50 am

WELCOME FROM THE CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf | City of Greater Bendigo

8.50 am to 9.30 am

RESILIENCE IN RURAL MEN: Preventing Suicide Together

Mary O‘Brien | Founder, Are You Bogged Mate

9.30 am to 10.15 am

MORNING TEA & EXHIBITION HALL VISIT

SESSION 7

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CASE STUDIES

CHAIRED BY: Brett Quarrier | Civil Construction Coordinator, Greater City of Bendigo

10.15 am to 10.45 am

LESSONS IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Insights from the R&S Grating Study Award

Aaron Ficken | Works Coordinator, City of Ballarat

10.45 am to 11.15 am

SAFETY BY DESIGN: Cycling Corridor Implementation in Torquay

Daniel Mustata | Principal Road Safety Engineer, Road Solutions

11.15 am to 11.45 am

DESIGNING DURABLE STORMWATER PIPES WITH POST-CONSUMER RECYCLATE

Ryan Kerr | Technical Specification Manager, Vinidex

11.45 am to 12.30 pm

LUNCH

SESSION 8

PARKS & OPEN SPACE

CHAIRED BY: Tim Greenham | Conference Committee Chair

12.30 pm to 1.00 pm

POTATOES IN THE PARK: Melbourne Case Studies of Community Food Production in Urban Green Space

Dr Chris Williams | Lecturer Urban Horticulture, Melbourne University

1.00 pm to 1.30 pm

MAINTAINING URBAN WETLANDS: Lessons from Whittlesea

Anthony Eid & Patrick Jeschk | City of Whittlesea

1.30 pm to 2.00 pm

OVERCOMING SETBACKS: Resilient Delivery of the Rosehill Park Upgrade

Nick Vincett & Shyan Devapriya | City of Moonee Valley

SESSION 9

CONFERENCE CLOSE

2.15 pm to 3.00 pm

CONNECTIONS

Brendan Fevola | Former AFL Player and media celebrity
Nick Cody | Media Personality and Comedian

3.00 pm to 3.30 pm

FINAL REMARKS

Dr Peter Ali | Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Works Australia

Friday, 20

9.30 am to 11.00 am

SITE TOUR: The Bendigo Lowline

Brett Flavell & Brett Quarrier | City of Greater Bendigo

The Bendigo Low Line transforms a historic gold rush–era waterway into a 4.4 km active transport corridor through the heart of the city. Completing a missing link in the Bendigo Creek Trail, it creates a safe, inclusive route for walking and cycling, connecting 95,000 residents with nature, history, and each other.

Meeting Point:
Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre
21 Nolan Street, Bendigo

Keynote Speakers

CEO, Modus Transport and Traffic Engineering

Negin Vaez

Resilience in Motion: Building Modus and Navigating the Road Ahead

Negin Vaez is the CEO and owner of Modus Transport & Traffic Engineering, a rapidly expanding consultancy with offices in Queensland and Victoria. With over 16 years of experience, she has built her career on resilience, reinvention, and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Holding a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, a Master’s in Transport and Traffic, and accreditation as a Senior Road Safety Auditor, Negin is also passionate about mentoring young women, advocating for safer communities, and promoting diversity in engineering.

Traffic Lead, Safe System Solutions

Thuan Nguyen

Practical Traffic Management Solutions for Local Government

Thuan Nguyen is the Traffic Lead at Safe System Solutions, where he specialises in road safety, traffic engineering, and transport planning. With extensive experience delivering projects across local government and state jurisdictions, Thuan applies a Safe System approach to create safer, more efficient transport networks. He is passionate about evidence-based solutions that improve community safety and support resilient infrastructure.

Chief Technology Officer, Smarterlite

Zoran Ovuka

From Innovation to Impact: Reinventing Municipal Solutions

Zoran Ovuka is the Chief Technology Officer at Smarterlite, where he leads the development of innovative technologies that enhance safety, sustainability, and performance in municipal infrastructure. With extensive experience in engineering and technology leadership, Zoran is passionate about driving reinvention through practical innovation that delivers real community impact.

Founder, Are You Bogged Mate

Mary O'Brien

Resilience in Rural Men: Preventing Suicide Together

Mary O’Brien is the founder of Are You Bogged Mate?, a nationally recognised initiative addressing men’s mental health and suicide prevention, especially in rural and regional areas. With a background in agriculture and a strong connection to the land, Mary has a unique talent for breaking down barriers and starting honest conversations with men who are often hesitant to seek help. Through practical, straightforward messaging, she has become a powerful advocate for resilience, awareness, and saving lives Australia-wide.

Professor of AI and Analytics, La Trobe University

Prof. Daswin De Silva

Reinventing Municipal Work and Organisations in the Age of AI

Professor Daswin De Silva is a leading academic in the fields of artificial intelligence and data science at La Trobe University. His research and industry collaborations focus on applying AI and advanced analytics to address complex challenges across various sectors, including healthcare, transportation, and regional development. A recognised expert in digital innovation, he is passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-world impact, fostering resilience and reinvention through technology.

Former AFL Star and Media Personality

Brendan Fevola

Brendan Fevola is a former AFL star best known for his goal-kicking with Carlton and Brisbane. A two-time Coleman Medal winner and fan favourite, he’s gone on to become a popular radio host and TV personality, loved for his humour as much as his footy talent.

Comedian and Media Personality

Nick Cody

Nick Cody is a leading Australian comedian celebrated for his sharp wit and laid-back storytelling. He’s performed at major festivals worldwide, including Just for Laughs and Edinburgh Fringe, and is a familiar voice on Melbourne’s Fox FM. Nick’s humour blends honesty, charm and everyday relatability, earning him a loyal following.

Comedian and Ventriloquist

Darren Car

MC and Dinner Entertainment

Darren Carr is Australia’s leading comedy ventriloquist, with over 20 years of experience performing across the country and overseas. A favourite in the corporate event scene, he has entertained top companies like Qantas, Telstra, and Mercedes-Benz. Darren is a seven-time winner of the prestigious MO and ACE “Australian Performer of the Year” awards and has appeared on The Footy Show, 60 Minutes, and Australia’s Got Talent.

Our Conference Partners

Who Attends?

Delegates include works officers, maintenance staff, managers, directors, engineers, and technical officers from across Australia, including those working within state and local governments, as well as maintenance staff and managers from companies servicing the municipal works industry.

Who Exhibits?

The conference attracts a broad range of product and service providers to the municipal works industry. Some of the exhibitors that attended in 2025 included:

Major Sponsor

Exhibitors

Heavy Equipment & Machinery

Companies providing construction, maintenance, and earthmoving equipment.

RDO Equipment
Komatsu Australia
William Adams
LiuGong Australia
Construction Equipment Australia
Schibeci
FAE Australia Pacific
KOR Equipment Solutions
Porter Plant Hire
Proquip Rental and Sales
Colbrook Industries
Sweepers n Scrubbers
McCullochs
Mac Rental
Hako
AGCO Australia
Mintern Civil
Farm and Diesel
Brandt
Bucher Municipal
Easyquip

Civil & Infrastructure Solutions

Providers of materials, pipes, pavements, drainage, and civil works systems.

Road and Safety Grating
Bates Pipes and Products
Blackwoods
Toner Group
TDM Pipeline Solutions
Tefco Piping Systems
Southern Geosynthetics Supplies
RPM Pipes
Danley
Vinidex
Terra Firma
Colbrook Industries
ESP Australia
Composite Materials Engineering
Leading Civil Solutions
Mainmark Australia

Roads, Pavements & Traffic Management

Focused on surfacing, sealing, marking, and traffic control.

Hiway
Bild Group
Boral
Fulton Hogan Industries
SuperSealing
Roadside Safety Solutions
Road Safety Services and Maintenance
SafeRoads
Stabilco
OmniGrip Direct
Linemarking Supplies Australia
Game Traffic Control
BA Roads
Upatch (Downer EDI Group)
Ausroad Plant Services
Stabilised Pavements of Australia

Drainage Maintenance Services

Specialists in drainage systems, pipe relining, water management, and environmental cleaning.

Pipe Doctor Australia
TDG Environmental
Industrial Environmental
Mainstream Recycling
GMA Australia
M Tucker & Sons
Smart Lock
Katam Drainage

Tools, Fleet & Asset Management

Fleet tracking, equipment tools, maintenance systems, and asset platforms.

Milwaukee Tools
Bridgestone
Teletrac Navman
Asset Vision
Retinavision
Wireless Communications
Teletrac Navman
Hidrive

Environmental & Sustainability Solutions

Recycling, turf, stormwater, and green infrastructure providers.

Coolabah Turf
EVM Australia
Greenway Solutions
StrathAyr Instant Lawn
RPM Pipes
EME Contracting
Truegrid Permeable Pavers
Environmental Facility Services
Mainstream Recycling
ELT Recycling Australia
Bluemont Rock Bags
Industrial Environmental
GMA Australia
Schreder (sustainable lighting)

Safety, Compliance & Training

Safety equipment, traffic safety, signage, and workforce programs.

SafeRoads
Uniform Safety Signs
Before You Dig Australia
Link Resources
Austroads
Energy Safe Victoria
IntoWork Australia
Rebus Restrooms
CR Kennedy

Chemicals, Coatings & Industrial Products

Suppliers of chemicals, cleaning, and surface protection materials.

Gemm Chemicals & Coating Solutions
Grafetti Removal Chemicals

Engineering, Procurement & Service Providers

Firms offering integrated engineering, consulting, and procurement services.

MAV Procurement
Downer EDI Group (Upatch) Fulton Hogan
Greenway Solutions

Please register now to join the conversation and take the first step towards innovative municipal solutions that will shape our cities' future.

MWA Bendigo 2026

Date: Wednesday, 18th to Thursday, 19th March 2026
Location: Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo, Victoria