Net Zero Transit Symposium

To reduce the impacts of climate change and create a sustainable future for our world we all need to work together to reduce carbon emissions in our cities and urban centres. Projected population increases and urban consolidation are driving the need for improved mid-tier transit transport on a global scale. New emerging transport technology will help make these options more sustainable while improving access to employment, reducing congestion and contributing to urban regeneration.

Curtin University has been examining a range of mid-tier transit options across the world to understand how it can generate a positive impact on the built environment. This sustainable mid-tier transit has the potential to create new transport corridors linking activity centres and local neighbourhoods by providing better connections across communities.

But there is work to be done. Existing options need to evolve significantly to encourage people out of their cars and make the switch to public transport. It’s a challenge that requires collaboration across community, business and government sectors.

Join us at the Net Zero Transit Symposium and hear from industry experts to find out how innovations in transport technology are enabling the transition to net zero emissions. We’ll explore how these advancements will create the opportunity to drive economic development while enhancing connectivity and revitalising communities.

You can be part of the journey with an Australian first trial of the latest in digital rail transit – the Trackless Tram. Its arrival in Perth will coincide with the Net Zero Transit Symposium and all attendees will be able to experience this firsthand with a showcase at the City of Stirling.

Let’s discover how we can collaborate to reduce carbon emissions with net zero transit and lead the way in creating a more sustainable future for our communities – it’s fundamental to our success.

View the Trackless Tram Business Case page.

Net Zero Symposium

Symposium information

Registrations for the Symposium are now open

When 21 – 22 November 2023

Where Rendezvous Scarborough

Policies All tickets are non refundable

Register now via eventbrite

Supporting events

As a part of the Symposium the City of Stirling will be hosting various supporting events and networking opportunities. Separate registration is required for each event.

Image of sunset at scarborough Beach

Sundowner

5.00pm - 7.00pm, Wednesday 22 November 2023

Enjoy 2 hours of canapes and drinks while networking with industry experts following the symposium.

Please note this event is for conference attendees only.

Image of tram at station

Be Part of the Australian First Trial

7.30am – 9.00am, Wednesday, 22 November 2023

As part of the Symposium, you are invited to jump onboard an Australian-first trial of the Trackless Tram at the City of Stirling. 

This will take place at the City of Stirling, 25 Cedric Street, Stirling with breakfast provided. Optional transport will be provided from Scarborough Beach to Stirling, and return.

Please register for transport options at ticket selection, please note this event is for conference attendees only.

Parking at 25 Cedric Street, Stirling is limited.

Program

  • 8.30 – 9.00am

    Registrations

    9.00 – 9.45am

    Introductions and Welcome to Country

    • Welcome by Mayor Mark Irwin – City of Stirling
    • Trackless Tram project partners – DingNan Li, Chairman – CRRC and Dong Huang, President – Shanghai Electric Group
    • MC Introduction – Ken Welsh, Coordinator Strategic Transport Planning - Inner West Council Sydney

    9.45 – 10.15am

    The Australian Government’s approach to net zero transport and infrastructure

    • Ian Porter, Head of the Net Zero Unit – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

    10.15 – 10.45am

    Western Australia’s mid-tier transit journey

    • Owen Thomas, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Infrastructure WA

    10.45 – 11.15am

    Morning tea

    11.15 – 11.45am

    Net Zero Corridors and precincts - the global, national, and local context for net zero

    • Josh Byrne, Dean Sustainable Futures – Curtin University

     

    11.45am – 12.40pm

     

    Setting the scene: International case studies for mid-tier transit

    • Joe Ciresi, Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives – USA Situation
    • James Edmiston, CEO - Keolis Downer Academy 
      European mid-tier transit and new mobilities
    • Vinnet Ndlovu, Infrastructure Development Consultant – City of Bulawayo and John Otchere Darko, Chief Executive Officer - KOD Group
      Leapfrog development plans for Bulawayo and Accra, Africa
    12.40pm - 1.00pm

    Mid-tier transit corridors and user experiences

    • Sarah Low, Prinicipal Transport Engineering - WSP
       

    1.00pm – 1.45pm

    Lunch

     

    1.45 – 2.45pm

     

    Certification and real-world deployment

    • Chi Zhang, Deputy Director of Technology Department - CRRC
      Electric Deployment in China
    • Faz Ikram, Principle and Director – Strategy Analytics
      ART trials in Malaysia
    • Marcus Coleman, Managing Director – Tiger Spider
      DRT Certification

    2.45 – 3.15pm

    Afternoon tea

    3.15 – 4.00pm

    How to make a great city – the significance of transit and place activation in making great cities

    Kate Meyrick, Director – Urbis

    4.00 – 5.00pm

    Q&A Session ‘Not Just a Bus!’

    Moderator – Dean Economou - Curtin University

    • Alex Paton, Director Marketing & Business Development – ITSG
    • Marcus Coleman, Managing Director – Tiger Spider
    • Kate Meyrick, Director – Urbis
    • James Edmiston, CEO – Keolis Downer Training Academy
    • Marie Verscheur, Research Fellow - Curtin University 

    5.00pm

    Closure by MC

  • 7.30 – 8.45am

    Australian First Trackless Tram Experience at the City of Stirling with breakfast

    8.45 – 9.15am

    Transfer to Rendezvous Hotel Scarborough

    9.15 – 9.30am

    Welcome by MC – Ken Welsh, Coordinator Strategic Transport Planning – Inner West Council Sydney

    9.30 – 10.30am

    Mid-tier transit cities - the Melbourne experience - past, present and future

    • Rob Adams AM, Director – Adams Urban
    • Dr Jan Scheurer, Honorary Associate Professor - RMIT University

    10.30 – 11.00am

    Morning tea

    11.00 – 11.30am

     

     

     

    Towards a Climate positive transit system

    • Ben Haddock, Associate Principal Future Mobility Leader Australiasia – ARUP

     

    11.30am – 12.30pm

    Developer-led Transit-Oriented Urbanism

    • Ben Lisle, Managing Director and Kyle Jeavons, Director – Hesperia, Transit-Oriented Urbanisms for Perth
    • Mike Day, Co-Founder & Partner – Hatch | RobertsDay

    12.30 –1.30pm

    Lunch

    1.30 – 2.45pm

     

    Delivering Integrated Mid-Tier Transit

    • Richard Isted, Manager of Transport Planning & Advisory – SMEC
      The Business Case for Mid-Tier Transit: Stirling
    • Christian Griffiths, Market Leader – Advisory | Transport – Stantec
      Caulfield – Rowville Link, Melbourne
    • Emma Thomas, Chief Executive Officer – Sunshine Coast Council
      Sunshine Coast perspective on why mid-tier is the missing link.  

    2.45 – 3.15pm

    Afternoon tea

    3.15 - 4.45pm

     

    Workshop and Panel Session led by Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University.

    Net zero corridors: How do we integrate mid-tier transit, urban regeneration and finance with multiple government goals.

    • Mike Day, Co-Founder & Partner – Hatch | RobertsDay
    • Ken Welsh, Coordinator Strategic Transport Planning – Inner West Council Sydney
    • Josef Seidler, Regional General Manager – Vicinity
    • Hon Dr Brad Pettitt MLC - Member for the South Metropolitan Region, Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia

    4.45 – 5.00pm

    Final words and commencement of sundowner

Find out about our speakers

Professor Peter Newman

Professor Peter Newman

Curtin University

Emma Thomas

Emma Thomas

Chief Executive Officer

Sunshine Coast Council

Mike Day

Mike Day

Co-Founder & Partner 

Hatch | RobertsDay

John Otchere Darko

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

KOD Group

Hon. Joe Ciresi

Hon. Joe Ciresi

State Representative 

Philadelphia

Ken Welsh

Ken Welsh

Coordinator Strategic Transport Planning

Inner West Council Sydney

Dean Economou

Dean Economou

Technology Lead

Curtin University

Professor Josh Byrne

Professor Josh Byrne

Dean Sustainable Futures

Curtin University 

Ben Lisle

Ben Lisle

Manager Director & Co-Founder

Hesperia

Kate Meyrick

Kate Meyrick

Director

Urbis

Fadil Il Akram

Faz Akram

Principal and Director

Strategy Analytics

Rob Adams

Rob Adams

Director 

Adams Urban

Professor Graham Currie, Transport Engineering – Monash University

Professor Graham Currie

Transport Engineering

Monash University

Ian Porter  Strategic Advisor  Net Zero Unit for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Ian Porter

Strategic Advisor

Net Zero Unit for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Hon Dr Brad Pettitt MLC

Hon Dr Brad Pettitt MLC

Member for the South Metropolitan Region

Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia

Owen thompson

Owen Thomas

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Infrastructure WA

Richard Isted

Richard Isted

Manager of Transport Planning & Advisory

SMEC

Ben Haddock

Ben Haddock

Associate Prinicipal - Future Mobility Leader Australiasia

ARUP

Christian Griffith

Christian Griffiths

Market Leader – Advisory | Transport

Stantec

Dusan Mills

Dusan Mills

Non-Executive Director

Hawaiian

Marcus Coleman

Marcus Coleman

Managing Director

Tigerspider

Guest Speaker Vinnet

Vinnet Ndlovu

Infrastructure Development Consultant

City of Bulawayo

James Edminston, CEO, Keolis Downer Academy

James Edmiston

CEO

Keolis Downer Academy

[Yesterday 4:02 pm] Rebecca Keating  Alex Paton   Director, Marketing and Business Development  Infrastructure Technology Solutions Group (ITSG)

Alex Paton 

Director, Marketing and Business Development

Infrastructure Technology Solutions Group (ITSG) 

Josef Seidler Regional General Manager Vicinity Centres

Josef Seidler

Regional General Manager

Vicinity Centres

Li Dingnan, Chairman, CRRC

Dingnan Li

Chairman

CRRC 

Kyle Jeavons

Kyle Jeavons

Director

Hesperia

Dong Huang   CEO   Shanghai Electric

Dong Huang 

CEO 

Shanghai Electric 

Zhang Chi  Deputy Director of Technical Center   CRRC

Chi Zhang

Deputy Director of Technical Center 

CRRC 

Sponsors

A Symposium of this scope and quality would not be possible without the enduring and valued support of our partners.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please view the Prospectus here, this document details the various sponsorship packages available.

Please click below to find out more on our sponsors. 

Net Zero Transit Symposium

Official conference and accommodation partner - Rendezvous Hotel

Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough is an iconic beachfront hotel overlooking the sparkling blue waters of Scarborough Beach. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Perth Airport and 15 minutes from Perth’s CBD.

Facilities include a lagoon style pool with ocean views, fantastic dining options and modern rooms to cater to all guests.

Symposium attendees receive a 10% discount on room bookings. Use code CONV10.

Net Zero Transit Symposium

Business Events Perth

Business Events Perth connects meeting, incentive or exhibition planners with Western Australia’s extraordinary experiences, venues and world-renowned experts, helping create inspiring business events.

Funded by the Western Australian Government through Tourism Western Australia, the City of Perth and member partners across the State, Business Events Perth has been securing high value conferences and incentive groups for Western Australia for 50 years.

Arup, Sundowner Sponsor

Sundowner Sponsor

Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of designers, consultants and experts working globally. Founded to be humane and excellent, we collaborate with our clients and partners using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world.

Website - Dedicated to sustainable development - Arup
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/arup/

Supplier Showcase

The Net Zero Transit Symposium will feature a supplier showcase as part of the supporting program. To register your interest please email symposium@stirling.wa.gov.au.

Draft Statement – Net Zero Transit System

Draft Statement – Net Zero Transit System

There are three simultaneous crises facing our cities:

  • Housing – especially affordable, well-located housing of an appropriate scale that meets this demand
  • Transport – especially public transport that is able to provide competitive services with the car so that traffic is reduced.
  • Net Zero – the next economy’s need for net zero cities to enable the rapid movement towards meeting state, national and global targets for climate. 

These are interchangeable and interdependent issues. Their solution points to more urban regeneration in appropriate parts of the inner and middle suburbs rather than the urban fringe with new net zero transit. 

This Symposium believes that a new model is needed to deliver this urban regeneration and needs the following:

  1. Net Zero Transit created along certain main roads corridors linking to major train lines, and this should involve innovative mid-tier transit like Trackless Trams
  2. Net Zero Boulevards designated along these main roads, that can demonstrate net zero precincts around stations along the net zero corridor.
  3. Net Zero Precincts designed with the private sector and local communities to enable dense housing and mixed-use opportunities in a walkable, green environment.
  4. Net Zero Planning Tools created that apply to this urban regeneration model providing clear evidence of the increased value to multiple goals in housing, transport, and climate as well as value to economic productivity and tax/rates. 
  5. Net Zero Delivery Processes created that involve partnerships between Public agencies, Private developers and owners, and Community organizations that can enable local value to be provided. This will be supported with new fiscal and finance models.

Background

The task was set up for us in WA by the State Infrastructure Strategy which suggests a new mid-tier transit strategy was needed and the issues of housing and climate change needed to be addressed at the same time. 

This Symposium set up two fundamental questions that needed answering and these have become the goals of Day 1 and Day 2: ‘Is it just a bus?’ and ‘How do we integrate mid-tier transit, urban regeneration and finance with multiple government goals?’.
 
On Day 1 the Panel considered ‘Is it just a bus?’. This canvassed the opportunities arising from trackless trams and other new modes of transit in service delivery, accessibility, place creation, net zero outcomes and urban regeneration.  It saw that it was not just the vehicle but the wider benefits that could be unlocked by integrating EV capabilities, digital connectivity and autonomy.  The trackless tram certification process identified the vehicle to be different from a bus requiring a new vehicle class and was very obvious when we all rode the DRT at City of Stirling. It’s like a smart phone compared to a landline. It is not a bus. Across the whole of Perth and most other Australian cities there is a strong desire to pursue the possibilities of a Trackless Tram to help with urban regeneration, especially from local government and communities. 

The Day 2 Panel question was ‘How do we integrate mid-tier transit, urban regeneration and finance with multiple government goals’. This is harder as it gets to the heart of our need for a ‘new model’ in order to help procure and deliver the tram in a way that helps solve the need for substantial new housing along the chosen main roads; this will need to involve new financial and design partnerships with the private sector. 

Our research group has published much about this but now it needs to be translated into the necessary steps to make it possible to happen, especially within a net zero agenda. It’s made easier now as there is a clear need to find new solutions for affordable, well-located housing, new sources of funding, new ways of enabling public transport to be competitive and new ways of making net zero cities – together.

Each Australian city is trying to achieve this with Movement and Place Strategies, main road regeneration and now, with Net Zero Strategies. Victoria’s Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 strategy states that the city will need 1.6 million additional homes, in places where people want to live, to increase housing supply and improve affordability in the coming decades. It also stipulates that 70 per cent of residential development should occur in existing suburbs, to create a liveable, sustainable city and curb urban sprawl.

In California the Planning Act has been changed to enable a series of main roads to be regenerated into Grand Boulevards as a way of meeting the dominant housing demand which has shifted from single family housing on the fringe to well-located medium and high-density opportunities. The fiscal and financial basis for this was clear.
In Perth, a recent policy change happened with a request for Private involvement in Transit Oriented Urbanism around stations though this did not work around outer area new stations as hoped. Regenerating selected main roads is now the agenda across all Australian cities. Doors are opening to this new model. 

A Federal Government strategy on cities like Better Cities in the 1980’s is well over due. 
 
The Perth Statement on a Net Zero Transit system will become an important and historic way to help continue opening the doors to great urban innovations.

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