15 -16 September 2026 | Novotel – Parramatta, New South Wales
A two-part program built for practical learning and genuine industry discussion
The 2026 program combines an evidence-led Technical Forum with a discussion-focused Main Conference. Delegates will hear project outcomes, agency and research priorities, international lessons, emerging innovation and the practical steps needed to move evidence into standard practice.
*Full speaker and panellist announcements will be released progressively. Program timings and content remain subject to minor change.
Program at a glance
Tuesday 15 September – Applied Practice & Performance Technical Forum
A half-day evidence-led forum examining design, materials, testing, field decisions and emerging innovation, with facilitated discussion involving Transport for NSW technical representatives and industry.
Wednesday 16 September – Main Conference
A full day focused on resilience, whole-of-life value, agency and research priorities, international perspectives and the pathway from innovation to adoption.
Wednesday evening – AustStab Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner
Celebrate the people, projects and organisations advancing pavement recycling and stabilisation across Australia.
Thursday 17 September 2026 – Inaugural NSW Industry Golf Day
Featuring breakfast, a shotgun start, on-course networking and a relaxed BBQ lunch and presentations.
Tuesday 15 September 2026
Applied Practice & Performance Technical Forum
Ground, Materials and Stabilisation Outcomes Beneath the Surface
An evidence-led afternoon combining focused technical presentations, planned discussion and a fast-paced Innovation Showcase. Transport for NSW technical representatives will contribute to the facilitated discussions on design performance and laboratory-to-field decisions.
| 1:00–1:15 pm | Welcome and Forum Framing Setting the expectations for an afternoon focused on evidence, practical lessons and open discussion. |
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| 1:15–1:35 pm | Augusta Highway – Evolution of South Australia’s Stabilisation Specification Jarod Hosking How project investigation, mix design, field delivery and performance evidence informed the evolution of agency practice. |
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| 1:35–1:55 pm | From Expansive Soils to Circular Pavements: Lessons Learned from Queensland Road Infrastructure Projects Lokanantham Logitharan & Damian Volker - TMR / RoadTek A regional case study in deep treatment, material reuse, resilience and lower construction-phase emissions. |
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| 1:55–2:15 pm | Rework Timeframes for Foamed Bitumen Stabilised Materials Arooran Rajah – TMR Evidence on when corrective rework can still achieve design intent and the implications for specification limits. |
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| 2:15–2:30 pm | Facilitated Discussion – Performance Through Design James Allen - TfNSW Pavement Manager, Jarod Hosking, Lokanantham Logitharan and Arooran Rajah Moderator: Craig Manton – NTRO Session speakers, Transport for NSW technical representatives and delegates examine what evidence changed decisions and what can transfer across jurisdictions. |
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| 2:30–3:00 pm | Afternoon Tea Networking and direct discussion with presenters. |
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| 3:00–3:20 pm | Working Time for Lightly Bound Materials Lokanantham Logitharan and Brendan Williams – TMR / NTRO Linking laboratory working-time limits with full-scale construction and monitored field performance. |
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| 3:20–3:40 pm | From C170 to C240 – Impacts of Binder Viscosity Scott Young and Damian Volker – SP Design / TMR Practical guidance for managing a supply-driven binder change without compromising foamed-bitumen stabilisation outcomes. |
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| 3:40–4:00 pm | Making UCS Results Comparable – Fixing the Curing Problem Scott Young – SP Design How inconsistent curing regimes affect test results, specifications and confidence in performance. |
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| 4:00–4:15 pm | Facilitated Discussion – Laboratory Limits and Field Decisions James Allen - TfNSW Pavement Manager, Flexible Pavements, Lokanantham Logitharan, Brendan Williams, Scott Young, Damian Volker and Scott Young Moderator: Craig Manton – NTRO A focused discussion with speakers, Transport for NSW technical representatives and delegates on the testing or specification issue most in need of national clarification. |
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| 4:15–4:45 pm | Innovation Showcase TMR / RoadTek, Ausroad, NTRO, Downer and SAMI Five concise technical snapshots: Intelligent Compaction; Power Spreading Technology; Coal By-products; Low-Carbon Oils; and an applied demonstration of the AustStab Carbon Calculator. |
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| 4:45–5:00 pm | What Should Be Taken Forward? and Technical Forum Close Tanja Conners and Craig Manton – Auststab/NTRO A facilitated audience response identifying the most important technical priorities, challenges to current practice and areas for further industry action, followed by key takeaways and close. |
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| 6:30 pm onwards | Welcome Drinks Following the Technical Forum for relaxed networking, drinks and conversation with delegates, speakers and industry colleagues ahead of the Main Conference. |
Wednesday 16 September 2026
Main Conference – Rebuilding Australia From Beneath the Surface
Resilience Pays
A discussion-led conference focused on resilience, whole-of-life value, decision-making and system change. The day combines focused case studies with longer moderated discussions so that delegates can test ideas, compare experience and identify what is required for broader adoption.
| 8:30–8:45 am | Welcome and Scene Setting Framing the day around resilience, value, practical decisions and industry action. |
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| 8:45–9:05 am | Opening Address – Matt Fuller, Transport for NSW A 20-minute leadership address, including Q&A, setting the asset-owner and infrastructure context for the conference. |
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| 9:05–10:20 am | Agency, Research and Capability Outlook – Beneath the Asset Damian Volker – TMR, Javard Yaghoubi – NTRO, Mark Bondietti – WALGA Concise updates from Austroads, TMR and NTRO, followed by moderated discussion on national research, workforce capability, implementation priorities and delivery risk. |
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| 10:20–10:50 am | Morning Tea Networking and speaker engagement. |
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| 10:50–11:10 am | Feature Case – Lismore Flood Recovery Scott Young - SPA supported by Fiona Keneally – Lismore City Council A local-government case study in network recovery, pavement recycling, cost, performance and resilience following repeated flood events. |
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| 11:10 am–12:20 pm | Panel – Resilience and Whole-of-Life Value Fiona Keneally - Lismore City Council, Andrew Middleton – SPA, Arooran Rajah – TMR, Geoff Webb - Webb Consulting, Antony Straubhaar Chief Engineer - TfNSW Agency, research and local-government perspectives on evidence, funding, specifications, risk and the decisions that shape resilient outcomes. |
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| 12:20–1:10 pm | Lunch, Exhibitor Engagement and Poster Viewing Networking, exhibitor engagement and the Innovation and Research Poster Showcase. |
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| 1:10–1:35 pm | Learning Beyond Our Borders – PE-009, Brazil Cleto Regis Carvalho Filho Lessons from emulsion-treated recycling, moisture management and drainage under different operating conditions. |
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| 1:35–2:00 pm | International Performance Perspective Javad Yaghoubi - NTRO An additional international case study focused on field performance, implementation challenges and lessons learned. Speaker announcement to follow. |
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| 2:00–2:10 pm | International Performance Perspective Trevor Distin - AfPA How bitumen specifications are being implemented internationally, how that compares with the Australian approach, and some of the practical differences influencing supply, performance and adoption across markets. |
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| 2:10–2:20 pm | Facilitated Discussion – What Is Transferable to Australia? A moderated conversation separating genuinely transferable lessons from jurisdiction-specific conditions. |
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| 2:20–2:50 pm | Afternoon Tea Networking and speaker engagement. |
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| 2:50–3:10 pm | From Innovation to Adoption – Cold In-Place Asphalt Recycling (CIPAR) Dr Hamidreza Sahebzamani - SAMI and Warren Smith - SPA The Australian development pathway, evidence and delivery constraints for a high-potential recycling method. |
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| 3:10–3:30 pm | From Innovation to Adoption – Theodore Street Ex-Situ Foamed Bitumen Stabilisation A case study in high material reuse, controlled processing and the project decisions that made the solution viable. |
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| 3:30–4:30 pm | Panel – From Innovation to Adoption Warren Smith – SPA, Nikhil Patil - Patten Pavement Services, Frank Tostovrsnik - SITE Geotechnical Services, David Kelly Director Technical Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure – TfNSW, Josh Devitt - IPWEA NSW/ACT A substantial moderated discussion with agency, research and industry perspectives on the evidence, specifications, procurement settings and confidence needed to move proven innovation into standard practice. |
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| 4:30–4:50 pm | From Evidence to Action – Three Priorities Jim Appleby - HIWAY and Chris Cleaton - SPA A facilitated synthesis identifying three practical priorities for AustStab, agencies and industry over the next 12 months. |
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| 4:50–5:00 pm | Conference Close Key messages, acknowledgements and next steps. |
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| From 6:00 pm | AustStab Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner Celebrate the people, projects and organisations advancing pavement recycling and stabilisation across Australia. |
Thursday 17 September 2026
Inaugural NSW Industry Golf Day
Featuring breakfast, a shotgun start, on-course networking and a relaxed BBQ lunch and presentations.
AustStab, TMAA, and AfPA are proud to announce the inaugural NSW Industry Golf Day, bringing together professionals from across the road infrastructure, pavement, traffic management, and maintenance sectors.
| 7:00 am – 3:30 pm | Inaugural NSW Industry Golf Day Taking place at the prestigious Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club, this event brings industry professionals together to strengthen collaboration, grow networks, and build lasting relationships across our shared sectors. |
Program subject to change. Full speaker and panellist announcements will be released progressively.