The economic future of our state and our reputation as a progressive, forward-thinking city depend on us having fearless conversations.
How do we link the South Eastern Freeway to the North/South corridor? Do we need to bring back transit-orientated developments? What are our regional infrastructure and road priorities? The $670 million riverbank arena? Should that money be spent elsewhere?
Join The Advertiser’s Matthew Abraham, with Flinders University Professor Rocco Zito, Daniel Gannon, SA Executive Director, Property Council of Australia, Karen Redman, Mayor of Gawler, Tony Braxton-Smith, CEO Department for Transport & Infrastructure, and Ann Ferguson OAM, Mayor of Mount Barker District Council for Fearless Conversations Episode 5: Transport and Infrastructure.
Professor Rocco Zito, Flinders University
Rocco is Professor and Head Engineering at the Flinders University of South Australia. As a part of this leadership role he manages numerous research projects and teaching programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Previous to this he was the head of Civil Engineering. His research interests include the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) for transportation applications. This research work has mainly involved the use of Intelligent Transport System technologies to improve the effectiveness of transport. He also has a background in the assessment and investigation of the environmental impacts of various transport policy initiatives, including the use of alternative fuels and vehicles.
Rocco is currently also heavily involved in connected and autonomous vehicle research and trials.
Mayor Karen Redman, Town of Gawler
With a background in health and a masters qualification in this field, long term involvement in community and sporting groups, Karen decided in 2010 to put her hand up and get involved in local affairs, and was elected as a Council member at the Town of Gawler.
In 2014 Karen made the decision to run for Mayor of Gawler. Karen was fortunate to be elected on a platform of a stronger presence in the region for Gawler, given its growth, with a focus on cultural heritage and sustainable economic development. She is now serving her second term as Mayor, being elected unopposed in 2018.
Since becoming Mayor, major achievements for the Town of Gawler have included the successful grant funding for the heritage listed Gawler Civic Centre and the 68 million dollar Gawler East Link Road alignment and progression. A current member of the greater Adelaide region of councils, Karen has served on State and national local government boards. Gawler was the first South Australian Council to declare a climate emergency and Mayor Redman has led Gawler during this time as it transitions away from fossil fuels to renewables as part of its climate action response.
Mayor Ann Ferguson OAM, Mount Barker District Council
Mayor Ferguson was born and raised on Kangaroo Island.
She moved to Mount Barker in 1964 and commenced training at the Mount Barker & District Soldiers Memorial Hospital.
Employment: Enrolled Nurse from 1979 - 2007
Memberships: In addition to Mayor, Ann is also: Southern & Hills Local Government Association – Delegate National Growth Areas Alliance – Strategic Advisory Committee Member One of five Mayors (from Australia and New Zealand) elected to International Council for Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI) Oceania Regional Executive Committee supporting local governments and sustainable development South Australian Public Health Council member
And a: Life Member of the Mount Barker Show Society
Past Experience: Ann has served on the: Royal Australian Nurses Federation for 10 years Nurses Board of SA for 10 years Elected Member of Mount Barker District Council for 20+ years (1993-2003), (2006-current) and Mayor since 2006 - current Retired from nursing January 2008 Chief of Mt Barker Caledonian Society (2003-2006) Police Credit Union (Board Member) Regional Community Consultative Council (RCCC) Adelaide Hills Area Health Advisory Council Adelaide Hills Climate Change Group National Rail Freight Committee Local Government Association – State Executive member SAROC (South Australian Regional Organisation of Councils) Forum – Member Southern and Hills Local Government Association – (Chairperson 6 years) Australian China Friendship Society – Vice Chairperson Regional Development Australia - Adelaide Hill, Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island Board – Chairperson Premier’s Climate Change Council – Member
Daniel Gannon, SA Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
Daniel Gannon is one of South Australia’s leading and most influential industry executives. He has driven significant change in the property and investment industry as the South Australian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia – now arguably the state’s most influential association.
Over the past seven years he has spearheaded successful and historic campaigns to abolish commercial stamp duty and reform land tax, increasing South Australia’s investment attractiveness as a direct result.
In 2020, Daniel was named one of South Australia's 50 Most Influential People and Top 10 Real Estate Heavyweights, while in 2018 he was named one of South Australia’s Top 40 Leaders Under 40 and one of the state’s Top 50 Powerbrokers.
Tony Braxton-Smith CEO, Department for Infrastructure & Transport
Tony Braxton-Smith has been Chief Executive of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport since October 2018. He is also the South Australian Rail Commissioner and Commissioner for Highways. He is accountable for the delivery of Government’s requirements of the Department, setting strategy and policy, overseeing implementation of programs, projects, initiatives and service delivery, and driving improved performance.
Tony was formerly the Deputy Secretary Customer Services at Transport for New South Wales from 2011 to 2018. Previously Tony was in senior executive roles in private sector. From 2004 to 2011 he was Chief Executive of Great Southern Rail and Executive Director of Serco Transport Asia Pacific. From 2000 to 2004 he was Chief Executive of Dreamworld (a Macquarie Leisure Trust subsidiary), and prior to that with the P&O Group as Regional Managing Director of P&O Services Latin America from 1996 to 2000 after rising through the executive ranks of P&O Services Australia. He holds an MBA from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, where he was best final year student in 1993.
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