Municipal Works Conference and Exhibition
Wednesday, 18th to Thursday, 19th March 2026
MWA
Bendigo
2026
Resilience & Reinvention
Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo
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, 18th March
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 1.45 pm
BUFFET LUNCH & EXHIBITION HALL VISIT
HOSTED BY: Darren Findlay | Works Coordinator, City of Hobson Bay
SESSION 3
KNOWLEDGE SESSION
1.45 pm to 2.30 pm
WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS: Practical Environmental and Sports Turf Management for Local Government
Steve Hampton | National Business Dev. Manager, Greenway Solutions
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
NEXT GEN PANEL: Shaping the Future of Municipal Works
HOSTED BY:
Sheridan Kilner | AGA Intowork,
Olivia Salamone | Knox City Council
Featuring:
Rodney Claxton | CEO, Everlon
Vanessa Huxley | Senior Partner - Public Sector, Davidson Search and Advisory
The Next Gen Panel brings together emerging and established voices from across the municipal works profession to discuss trends and share insights on building a successful, sustainable career in the sector.
Sheridan Kilner | AGA Intowork,
Olivia Salamone | Knox City Council
Featuring:
Rodney Claxton | CEO, Everlon
Vanessa Huxley | Senior Partner - Public Sector, Davidson Search and Advisory
The Next Gen Panel brings together emerging and established voices from across the municipal works profession to discuss trends and share insights on building a successful, sustainable career in the sector.
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
Mauro Starc | Board Chair, Municipal Works Australia
DINNER ENTERTAINMENT
Darren Carr | Comedian and Ventriloquist
Thurday, 19th March
7.00 am
REGISTRATION OPEN
8.00 am
EXHIBITION HALL OPEN
SESSION 5
BUSINESS BREAKFAST
CHAIRED BY: Peter Donato | President MWA Tasmania
8.00 am to 8.30 am
BREAKFAST SERVED
8.30 am to 8.40 am
Business Breakfast Intorduction
Peter Donato | President MWA Tasmania
8.40 am to 8.50 am
WELCOME FROM THE CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO
Mayor Cr Thomas Prince | 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 6
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 7
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 8
CONFERENCE CLOSE
2.15 pm to 3.00 pm
CONNECTIONS
Brendan Fevola | Former AFL Player
Nick Cody | Media Personality
Nick Cody | Media Personality
3.00 pm to 3.30 pm
FINAL REMARKS
Dr Peter Ali | CEO, Municipal Works Australia
Friday, 20th March
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
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.
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
A01 Sweepers n Scrubbers
A02 KOR Equipment Solutions
A03 William Adams
A04 Delnorth Group
A05 Komatsu Australia
A06 Brandt
A07 Daimler Truck Australia Pacific
A08 Bucher Municipal
B01 Abott Supply
B02 Porter Plant Hire
B03 SME Mowers
B04 __________________
B05 Construction Equipment Australia
C01 Peerless Products
C02 Greenway Solutions
C03 Artcraft
C04 GMA Australia
C05 HiDrive
D01 Downer EDI Group – Upatch
D02 Terrain Group
D03 StrathAyr Instant Lawn
D04 Boral
D05 Road and Safety Grating
D06 TDM Pipeline Solutions
D07 Gemm Chemicals & Coating Solutions
D08 Asset Vision
D19 Bates Pipes and Products
D10 TDG Environmental & Mainstream Recycling
D11 Road Safety Services and Maintenance
D12 Farm and Diesel
D13 Schibeci
D14 __________________
D15 &16 AGCO Australia
D17 Greenworks
D18 IntoWork Australia
D09 Game Traffic Control
D20 Pipe Doctor Australia
D21 SuperSealing
D22 Fulton Hogan Industries
D23 Roadside Safety Solutions
E01 Hiway
E02 Bild Group
E03 EJ
E04 EVM Australia
E05 Floorex Products
E06 Southern Geosynthetics Supplies
E07 ESP Australia
E08 Rettenmaier ANZ
E09 DeNeefe Signs
E10 & E11 M Tucker & Sons
E12 Stabilised Pavements of Australia
E13 Wireless Communications & Teletrac Navman
E14 EME Contracting
E15 Envirocon
E16 Arbtrack Australia
E17 Proquip
E18 Link Resources
E19 Flocon Engineering
E20 Stabilco
E21 Before You Dig Australia
E22 Energy Safe Victoria
E23 Tefco Piping Systems
E24 Bluemont Rock Bags
E25 Uniform Safety Signs
E26 Oasis Turf
E27 Terra Firma
E28 Djandak Land Management Services
E29 __________________
E30 Danley
E31 MAV Procurement
E32 ELT Recycling Australia
E33 Chook Civil
E34 Retinavision
E35 International Mowers
E36 Ausroads
E37 Bendigo Community Health
E39 Blackwoods
E40 HG Turf
E41 Plasgain
E42 Mainmark Australia
E43 Leading Civil Solutions
E44 Katam Drainage
E45 (CV) MAV Procurement
F01 Vinidex
F02 Murphy‘s Spray and Blast Equipment
F03 Adelaide Signs Group
F04 Optimum Coating Solutions
F05 Modus Traffic and Transport
O U T D O O R S TA N D S
O01 TMC Enviro
O02 Easyquip
O03 Colbrook Industries
O04 Brandt
O05 Farm and Diesel
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