About this Event
The Institution of Civil Engineers NSW invites members, industry partners, government representatives and infrastructure professionals to a special Presidential Dinner focused on one of Australia’s most significant long-term infrastructure opportunities, high speed rail.
This evening will bring together senior voices from the engineering, transport, infrastructure, delivery and policy sectors to discuss high speed rail as a national infrastructure system, not simply a rail project.
We thank our Headline Sponsor Gamuda and the drinks sponsor Croi.
We are delighted to welcome David Porter, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, whose presidential theme focuses on the informed client, public trust, communication and the role of engineers in delivering public value.
We will also hear from Daniel Powrie, General Manager, Delivery, High Speed Rail Authority, who will provide an overview of Australia’s high speed rail programme, including the Newcastle to Sydney project, the development phase, delivery strategy, early contractor involvement, systems integration, advanced manufacturing and local capability development.
The formal presentations will be followed by a curated fireside discussion, moderated by Matt Colton, ICE NSW Representative. The discussion will explore what Australia needs to get right now to create confidence before construction, including governance, procurement, market engagement, whole-system integration, sustainability, standardisation, skills and long-term industry capability.
This is a high-value professional dinner for those interested in the future of major infrastructure delivery in Australia, and the role of engineers in shaping better outcomes for communities, clients, governments and industry.
Why Attend
High speed rail is one of Australia’s most important future infrastructure opportunities.
The evening will provide a senior-level forum to explore the project through the lens of delivery confidence, client capability, public value and whole-of-system infrastructure planning.
Guests will gain insight into the current high speed rail development phase, the Newcastle to Sydney corridor, emerging procurement and delivery models, early contractor involvement, advanced manufacturing, modularisation, systems integration and the long-term workforce and industry capability required to deliver a future national network.
The discussion will also connect Australian high speed rail with international best practice in infrastructure delivery, including informed client leadership, whole-life value, systems thinking, collaborative delivery, sustainability and carbon management.
David Porter is the 161st President of the Institution of Civil Engineers for the 2025–2026 presidential term. A Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of both the ICE and Engineers Ireland, David brings more than three decades of leadership experience across infrastructure, highways, flood risk management, and public sector engineering.
David currently serves as Director of Engineering with Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure, where he is the Chief Highways Engineer and Head of the Civil Engineering Profession within the Northern Ireland Civil Service. His responsibilities include engineering policy and standards, procurement leadership, technical governance, health and safety, and the development of professional engineering capability across the department.
Prior to this role, David was Chief Executive of the Rivers Agency, Northern Ireland’s flood defence and drainage authority, where he also held senior operational and development leadership positions. Throughout his career, he has championed resilient infrastructure, informed decision-making, and effective communication between engineers, governments, and the communities they serve.
A long-standing contributor to the ICE, David has served as Chair of the ICE Northern Ireland Region, ICE Council member, Audit Committee Chair, Qualifications Panel Chair, and member of numerous institutional committees and governance reviews. He is also a former member of the ICE Benevolent Fund Committee of Management.
David has received several professional honours, including the ICE Northern Ireland Poskitt Medal and the Engineers Ireland President’s Award. During his presidency, he has focused on improving how engineers communicate with the public, strengthening professional competence, addressing infrastructure resilience challenges, and supporting the next generation of engineering leaders.
Daniel Powrie is General Manager Delivery at the High Speed Rail Authority, leading the development and delivery of Australia’s proposed Newcastle to Sydney high-speed rail connection — one of the nation’s most transformative infrastructure initiatives.
A Chartered Civil Engineer with more than 30 years’ experience delivering complex infrastructure projects across Australia and the United Kingdom, Dan has led major city-shaping transport programs from early feasibility through to construction and operations. Prior to joining the High Speed Rail Authority, he served as Project Director for Sydney Metro’s Metro West project and previously led the billion-dollar transformation of Central Station to prepare Australia’s busiest rail hub for the next generation of metro services.
Daniel has also held senior leadership roles on major infrastructure projects including NorthConnex and London’s landmark Farringdon Station redevelopment, part of the Crossrail and Thameslink programs. Known for his practical leadership style and deep technical expertise, he brings extensive experience in the delivery of complex rail, tunnelling, and transport infrastructure projects across multiple jurisdictions.
Proudly introducing our Headline sponsored by
Drinks sponsored by:
Dietary Requirements
Please advise any dietary requirements when booking your ticket. The organiser will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements notified before the venue cut-off date.
Dress Code
Business attire.
Organiser Description
The Institution of Civil Engineers NSW supports civil engineering professionals across New South Wales and promotes knowledge sharing, professional development, technical excellence and public value in infrastructure. ICE NSW events bring together members, clients, government, industry partners and emerging professionals to discuss the issues shaping the future of the built environment.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Royal Automobile Club of Australia, 89 Macquarie Street, Sydney, Australia
AUD 85.00 to AUD 750.00
