The BYDA Utility Safety Conference 2026 Program is now live

The Conference program includes a lineup of sessions and speakers across four key themes: Safety, Technology & Innovation, Collaboration & Engagement, and Knowledge & Training. Each theme is designed to inspire discussion, share best practices, and showcase the latest thinking and solutions driving safer outcomes across the utility and construction sectors. Explore the full program below.

BYDA Utility Safety Conference 2026
Register for Conference

DAY 1

TimeThemeTopicSpeaker

Registration Opens: 8:30 am – 9:30 am

8:45 amWelcome
9:00 am – 9:45 amKeynoteAI Key note (Technology)TBCProf. Ujwal Kayande
9:45 am – 10:30 amKeynoteSafetyProving Safety: Understanding WHS Governance and AssuranceGreg Smith
10:30 am – 11:15 amPlenaryKnowledge & TrainingBeyond the Surface: The Future of Subsurface Utility Engineering & AS 5488Nick Zembillas

Morning Tea: 11:15 am – 11:30 am

11:30 am – 12:15 pmPlenarySafetyWork as Done vs. Work as Imagined: Mind the GapKym Bancroft
12:15 pm – 12:45 pmPlenaryTechnologyEvolution of Underground Mapping TechnologiesBrad Keane
12:45 pm – 1:15 pmPlenaryCollaboration and Engagement New Zealand’s Viral Safe Digging Awareness CampaignsPhil Cornforth 

Lunch: 1:15 pm – 1:45 pm

2:00 pm – 2:30 pmPlenaryUtility Case Study (Collaboration and Engagement)Keeping it in the Pipeline – A Proactive Damage Prevention Program for Gas Transmission PipelinesRoss Larson 
2:30 pm – 3:00 pmPlenaryStandards/EngineeringTBCRob Sansbury
3:00 pm – 3:30 pmPlenaryUtility Case Study (Technology)Leveraging Technology to Prioritise Efforts in Protecting AssetsChris Ross
3:30 pm – 4:00 pmPlenaryOverhead Asset Safety PanelOvercoming the Complexities of Overhead SafetyGlen Cook/Mark Garden

Network Drinks: 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm

DAY 2

TimeThemeTopicSpeaker

Registration Opens: 8:00 am – 9:00 am

8:45 amWelcome
9:00 am – 9:45 amPlenarySafetyA Practical Approach to Improving Investigations and Uncovering Systemic Risk in UtilitiesMark Alston
9:45 am – 10:15 amPlenaryUtility Case Study (Engagement/Collaboration)Endeavour Energy’s Approach to Managing the Electrical Safety Risk to Members of the PublicRiley Bryn
10:15 am – 10:30 amPlenaryConstruction Case Study (Technology)Delivering Utility Works in a Mega Infrastructure Project Environment Through Digital Innovation Alex Stojanovski

Morning Tea: 10:45 am – 11:00 am

11:00 am – 11:45 amPlenaryStandards/EngineeringTBCMark Follet
11:45 am – 12:30 pmPlenarySafetySafety Management Masquerade: How Our Safety Systems Can Deceive UsBen Hutchinson
12:30 pm – 1:00 pmPlenaryTechnology Revolutionising Underground Utility Detection through AI and Patented Radar InnovationDave Ross

Lunch: 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

1:30 pm – 2:00 pmPlenaryConstruction Case Study (Safety)Complexities of working in a rail CorridorTom Sudholz
2:00 pm – 2:30 pmPlenaryCollaboration and Engagement Build Skills UpdatePanel 
2:30 pm – 3:00 pmPlenaryTechnology Digital POC panelPanel 
3:00 pmOfficial Close