Programme - day two 2024

REGISTRATION, TEA AND COFFEE

TRADE EXHIBITION OPEN

DAY TWO WELCOME FROM THE MC AND RE-CAP DAY ONE

Sarah Sinclair – partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts 

PANEL DISCUSSION: FUNDING ALTERNATIVES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT PROJECTS 

Much has been said recently about alternative funding models for infrastructure and it will be interesting to see where the Government lands later this year with signalled changes to the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act. By the time of the conference, policy should also be in place around city and regional deals. In this panel we take a look at the opportunities and considerations for councils when it comes to roading projects. 

• PPPs – when to use, when to avoid 
• overseas best practice 
• financing considerations for councils including credit ratings and financing costs 
• tolls and congestion charging 
• potential funding partners – iwi investment arms 
• off-balance sheet debt options 
• city and regional deals for roading 
• correct project valuation and building in future maintenance costs upfront at time of financing 
• ‘build, own, operate, transfer’ equity finance schemes, and value capture to generate additional revenue 

Panelists: 

Ian Purdy – ACC  
Stuart Cross – Morrison Low
Paul Davidson – Tauranga City Council

Facilitator: 
Craig Rice – PwC 

INDUSTRY WORKING GROUPS – UPDATES ON LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

This session will provide an update on the latest developments led by the National Surfacing Technical Group and the National Pavements Technical Group. These two groups are focused on delivering better value to road owners, enhancing the performance of pavements and surfacings while also reducing life cycle costs, and reducing the carbon footprint of materials, construction and maintenance. It will be followed by a round table discussion in the next session.

Bryan Pidwerbesky – National Pavements Technical Group

PANEL DISCUSSION: PRIORITISING ROADING BUDGETS AND THE ROLE OF INNOVATION 

This panel discussion canvases different councils around how they make the roading dollar go further. 

• low-cost maintenance techniques and materials 
• chipseal alternatives 
• raising your drainage spend to combat changing weather patterns and protect your network 
• understanding different asset classes and what they cost, lifecycles and how to maintain them
• decision-making optimisation around asset management 
• hot cutback bitumen vs emulsion. What is the capacity in my district to produce this and what are the risks?

Panelists:
Daniel Erard – Tararua Alliance
Attinder Singh – Waikato District Council
Carol Ma – HEB Construction
Jarrod Bates – Fulton Hogan

Facilitator: 
Richard Parsons – Beca

MORNING TEA AND NETWORKING

ROUND TABLES

Main Plenary

EXHIBITION HALL PRESENTATIONS

Expo Theatre 1

INTRODUCTION FROM THE MC AROUND HOW THE ROUND TABLES WORK

INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHAIR

Stacy Goldsworthy – Winstone Aggregates

HOW TO STRUCTURE AN ALLIANCE CONTRACT

You’ve heard about them, so how do they work and what are some of the key benefits of using an alliance contract over other forms of procurement?

In this Round Table you’ll be taken through the fundamental components of an alliance agreement and have an opportunity to share experiences and learnings.

We’ll unpack some of the myths about alliances and the essential factors that make them successful – are they soft, easy and ‘gold-plated’?

Through real-life examples we’ll highlight the outstanding results that can be achieved through this form of collaborative contract, and the enduring value they have delivered.

Jon Varndell – group director - civil infrastructure, AECOM 

WHAT DOES A WORTHWHILE EPD LOOK LIKE TO A ROADING AUTHORITY?     

The roading materials sector is stepping up on life-cycle assessments (LCA) including Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). Join this round table to gain an understanding of LCAs and EPDs related to gravel and sand, concrete, limestone, cement and other roading materials.  

Bernie Napp – director, Prospect Consulting 

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT – NAVIGATING THE CHANGES

Being able to facilitate safe environments for road workers and road users through temporary traffic management is vital when it comes to building and maintaining our infrastructure in New Zealand. It’s no wonder that TTM and road cones have become a prominent reminder of activity that councils, contractors and service providers all share in the responsibilities of delivering well whether you love them or hate them.

After more than two decades under the same guidelines, a significant shift to a risk-based approach is taking place with a focus on smarter planning of road works to enable the right-sizing of having just enough TTM for the job. This should see greater efficiencies for the sector and NZTA is actively making this change. So the question is, when and how do we change? How does a council make this happen within its jurisdiction and how does this line up with a contractor’s change management process – it must be a joined up approach for us to truly succeed.

• how some of the recent trials have performed eg the Manawatu
• obligations as a PCBU - the council-contractor interface
• how do we make TTM commercially viable?
• road closures vs extended lane closures and TTM
• what is your organisation’s position on the risk-based approach?
• how is your organisation implementing the change?
• what are you learning on the journey of change? What’s been tough? What have been some wins?

Panelists:
Dave Rendall – Fulton Hogan
Wayne Clarke - Chevron Traffic Services
Simon Hodges - Christchurch City Council
Tracey Berkahn - Auckland Transport

Facilitator:
Darren Wu – Beca

MANUFACTURED SAND AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO NATURAL SAND  

Natural sand is getting harder to access, particularly from rivers and the seabed. Manufactured sand will be part of the solution however has challenges in terms of capital investment, historical costs of natural sand, consumer resistance and the fact that good aggregate rock is used to produce sand. This discussion will pursue the issues and potential solutions to increasing supply of manufactured sand in New Zealand, particularly for roading structures.  

Wayne Scott – CEO, Aggregate and Quarry Association 

SUPPORTING YOUR WORKFORCE CAPABILITY NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE

Waihanga Ara Rau's (Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure) role is to maintain 2,300 assessment standards and over 150 qualifications, while also developing new products based on identified industry demand. 

This discussion will outline our role in the VET (vocational education and training) eco-system and how we respond to industry needs, e.g. recently developed products include two Level 4 micro-credentials for the Temporary Traffic Management sector: TTM Design and TTM Risk Assessment. 

Join this round table to discuss the skill gaps you’re facing and to explore potential solutions.

Sue Hawkins – relationship manager - civil, Waihanga Ara Rau 
Kat Ricketts – relationship manager, Waihanga Ara Rau

UNDERSTANDING THE NEW FAST-TRACK CONSENTING FRAMEWORK

You have probably heard a lot about how the fast-track legislation will speed up approvals for regionally and nationally significant infrastructure.  In this session we will discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of the ‘one-stop-shop’ legislation:

• how does it fit into the context of the RMA
• types of projects envisaged for fast track.
• fast-track criteria
• how to apply
• the decision making process
• pros and cons

Geoff England – senior principal - planning, Boffa Miskell

HOW AND WHY TO PROPERLY SCOPE THE BUSINESS CASE FOR YOUR ROADING PROJECT UP FRONT

A key factor in deciding whether to build a roading project is the expected cost and benefits of the scheme. Critics complain that engineers tend to underestimate the cost and overestimate the benefits of infrastructure projects. They argue that this undermines the decision to build.

Engineers working in local councils are often asked to provide cost estimates for future roading and streetscape projects to be included in the Council’s long-term planning process. Such advice is often required at short notice. The advice is required despite the scope of these projects not being well defined.  These timeframes prevent engineers from fully understanding the risks. 

Political parties have a habit of announcing transport projects before engineering investigations had been completed. 

This discussion will explore the role that engineers have in providing advice at the front end of a project, and what we do well and could do differently to enable improved decision-making on progressing a project.

Wayne Stewart – principal project director, WSP

GRADING AND MAINTENANCE OF UNSEALED ROADS

• mitigate the risks of increased heavy vehicle usage
• tactical investment decision making
• asset management as it applies to low volume roads

Simon Hunt – strategic asset manager, Fulton Hogan

PAVEMENT & SURFACING INNOVATION NEEDS

Budgets are constrained, unit costs keep increasing but everyone has to deliver more for less. How do we support new developments and innovations in pavements and surfacing materials, design, construction and maintenance in order to stretch the dollars further.

Bryan Pidwerbesky – technical director - pavements and materials, Fulton Hogan

THE CASE FOR CONCRETE ROADS

This round table discussion will explore the findings of a 2024 Infometrics report The Case for Concrete Roads comparing asphalt and concrete roads – presented by Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster and operations director at Infometrics.

Key points of interest include concrete's lower life-cycle costs, with simulations showing a 12-23% cost advantage over asphalt, and its reduced carbon footprint, especially when considering carbon uptake.

Additional benefits include concrete's stability in terms of price volatility, as bitumen (used in asphalt) is fully imported, and its role in improving vehicle fuel efficiency. The discussion will highlight the potential of concrete roads in New Zealand’s future infrastructure, promoting its benefits in cost, carbon emissions, and overall road performance. Furthermore the barriers to their uptake will be tackled.

We welcome questions from the audience to encourage an engaging and insightful discussion.

Dave McGuigan - concrete director, Concrete NZ

DATA DRIVEN INSIGHTS DELIVERING BETTER ROADING OUTCOMES

The push for bigger and more complex data sets will lead to better roading outcomes if the insights and conclusions, drawn from these new data sets are implemented.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has been proactive in the development of new data sets through the Consistent Condition Data Collection (CCDC) contract that will inform better decision making across local governments.

Michael Caltabiano - chief executive officer, National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO)

BUILDING RENEWABLE FUELS INTO ROADING PROJECTS

Hydrogen is now a viable zero-emissions fuel in New Zealand with multiple refuelling stations operating across the North Island and more on the way.

Hiringa Energy is operating Australasia’s first Green Hydrogen Refuelling Network. Come and chat to their team about the hydrogen ecosystem already in place in New Zealand. Explore the options available for factory new and retrofitted hydrogen powered trucks as well as the range of dual-fuel models available for both on and off road. Discover how the technology allows for similar refuelling time, similar payload and similar range to diesel equivalents.

This conversation will explore the opportunities and pathways to building renewable fuels, including hydrogen, into the planning, design and construction phases of projects. An important topic for businesses wanting to build sustainable practices into their BAU and support the decarbonisation of this critical sector which is key if New Zealand is going to achieve our emission reduction targets.

Ryan McDonald - head of new business, Hiringa Energy

NETWORKING LUNCH IN THE EXHIBITION HALL

EXHIBITION HALL PRESENTATIONS

Expo Theatre 1

CHANGES TO STATE HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE: Q&A AND EXTENDED DISCUSSION

This session provides a follow-up discussion to Andrew’s presentation on Day One.

The new Integrated Delivery Model (IDM) for state highway maintenance is set to be rolled out in early 2025. Significant changes are afoot, with a focus on efficiencies and a closer working relationship with local communities.

• how the IDM works and what this means for your organisation – contractor, consultancy, local government, supplier

Andrew Clark – national manager maintenance and operations, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Alison Murray – head of procurement, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN HIGHER COST?

When assessing the viability of transport projects, the various desired outcomes can sometimes seem in conflict. This can lead to significant trade-off.  

Stiffer, smoother roads cost more upfront but deliver lower risk, lower maintenance assets. They also provide significant sustainability benefits. Higher upfront carbon emissions can reduce project life emissions significantly.  

This presentation will discuss the relationship between the economic viability and sustainability of common NZ pavement treatments, looking at areas of alignment and trade off, and how they can contribute to the bigger economic and sustainability picture. 

Mark Cruden – director, Meyer Cruden Engineering 

PANEL DISCUSSION: YOUTH LEADERSHIP 

The New Zealand roading sector competes for talent like any other sector, and labour is mobile. Particularly the project-based nature of some of the work done in the sector makes attracting, retaining and advancing youth a priority for management. 

In this panel we question what makes the sector attractive to work in and how we can improve as an employer of choice across local government, consultancy and contractors?

• the perception of the infrastructure sector as an employer within educational institutions 
• internships, apprenticeships, young leaders’ programmes – what works? 
• what is the next generation looking for from their employer? Current challenges or gaps they see 

Panelists:
Shyamal Ram – Waitomo District Council
Jessica Long – Porirua City Council
Siddharth Rana – Ventia
Charlotte Turner – Fulton Hogan

Facilitator:
Cara Lauder – Ventia

CASE STUDY: EXTENDING YOUR ROAD LIFE. WHEN TO USE REJUVENATORS AND WHEN TO LET A ROAD GO 

The key to using rejuvenation products is knowing when to apply them. If applied at the right time you can add 5-10 years to your road life and achieve considerable cost savings over the lifecycle of your road. 

• what products and processes are involved in rejuvenation 
• when to ‘let a road go’ vs fix it 

Steve Guy – city streets maintenance manager, Christchurch City Council 

PRIZE DRAWS

CONFERENCE WRAP-UP AND CLOSE 

Sarah Sinclair – MinterEllisonRuddWatts