Converge – Victorian civil sector comes together

Converge Expo brought Victoria’s civil, municipal and commercial construction community together at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 17 and 18 September, with CCF Victoria proud to support the event as an association partner. Across two days, delegates compared ideas, explored new technology, and discussed how the sector can deliver smarter, more sustainable outcomes for communities.

Setting the tone: opening address from Lisa Kinross

Day one opened with a keynote from CCF Victoria CEO and VCCIA President, Lisa Kinross, who framed Australia’s next decade of infrastructure as a test of what we build and how we build it. Lisa highlighted four priorities shaping delivery in Victoria: lifting productivity, building capability, improving how projects are planned and sequenced, and embedding sustainability across materials and methods. Her address set a clear direction for the programme and underscored the role of collaboration between contractors, suppliers and government.

Members’ focus: VCCIA breakfast on data, productivity and sustainability

A key moment for members was the Victorian Civil Construction Industry Alliance (VCCIA) breakfast, moderated by Annie Kessell. The panel explored “managing what we measure,” with a practical discussion on indices tracking civil construction and municipal works activity, signals of an uptick or downturn, and the metrics that matter for decision making, including material sustainability.

Panellists included Peter Ali (CEO, Municipal Works Australia), Lisa Kinross (CEO, CCF Victoria), Roger Buckley (Victoria State Director, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia), Brandon Hitch (CEO, The Crane Industry Council of Australia), and Tony Aloisio (CEO, Australian Flexible Pavement Association). In a fast, 30-minute format, the panel compared insights from across the supply chain and emphasised the importance of consistent, transparent data to inform planning and delivery. The breakfast also provided valuable time for cross-association networking, with members comparing local conditions and pipeline expectations.

Practical insights from the floor

Across the show floor, exhibitors and speakers showcased tools, equipment, and digital solutions for safer, faster, and higher-quality delivery. Delegates moved between demonstrations and short talks designed to turn ideas into actions back on site and in the office.

In addition to the opening keynote, Lisa joined a panel conversation examining how procurement settings, data transparency and earlier collaboration can lift outcomes for projects across Victoria. She spoke about aligning risk to capability, improving the flow of information between clients and contractors, and using consistent metrics to drive better decisions from planning through to handover.

CCF Victoria’s Lyndal Element, Executive Manager Education and Industry Capability, also brought the contractor lens to a separate discussion focused on what is working on projects now and where bottlenecks appear in delivery. The panel highlighted practical steps that make a difference day to day, including more innovative sequencing, targeted training and supervision, and closer partnering with councils and agencies to reduce rework and improve quality.

Themes that stood out

How we build matters. From the opening address through to the panel sessions, speakers reinforced that productivity and sustainability are twin priorities. Smarter ways of working, supported by better data, can reduce waste, shorten programmes, and deliver more resilient assets.

Measure what matters. The VCCIA breakfast highlighted the value of consistent metrics across public and private sectors. Clear, comparable activity and cost indicators help organisations confidently plan, tender and deliver.

Capability is the multiplier. Workforce development, supervisor-level leadership, and targeted training continue to be critical for lifting quality and safety. Delegates called out the benefits of sharing lessons between associations and across disciplines.

Collaboration is the accelerator. Converge’s cross-sector format brought together councils, agencies, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers. The consensus was clear: early engagement and open information flows save time and money.

Looking ahead

Converge Expo 2025 showcased the strength and adaptability of Victoria’s civil construction community. For CCF Victoria, the two days were an opportunity to amplify members’ voices, connect with partners, and contribute to a forward-looking agenda focused on better planning, delivery, and outcomes for the state.

Members who attended the breakfast, keynote or panels and wish to share case studies or follow-up insights can contact the CCF Victoria team. We will continue championing data-informed, sustainable and collaborative delivery across our advocacy, skills and industry programmes.

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