Environmental Approvals and Nature Event Series

Environmental approvals are no longer just a regulatory step - they’re a strategic lever for unlocking Australia’s next wave of infrastructure, investment, and innovation.

As the nation races toward net zero, the systems that govern how we plan and approve infrastructure are under pressure. Fragmented processes, regulatory overlap, and capacity limitations are slowing down the very projects that we need to power our economy.

This national conversation isn’t just about policy - it’s about reimagining how we plan, approve, and deliver infrastructure that supports both people and planet. From digital tools that streamline decision-making to co-designed reforms that cut through red tape, the future of environmental approvals is smarter, faster, and more collaborative.

Stay tuned as we share bold ideas, practical insights, and key takeaways from across the series.

If we want to build faster, smarter, and more sustainably, we need to start with better planning and better decisions underpinned by better policy.

Matthew Uidam Managing Director, Earth and Environment, WSP

Matthew Uidam Managing Director, Earth and Environment, WSP

Explore Matthew's most recent article 'Unlocking certainty: Why Australia must invest early to build smarter'.

Event Details

Tuesday, 9 September 2025 11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Adelaide Convention Centre North Terrace, Adelaide South Australia 5000, Australia

Get tickets to attend here.

Speakers

Keynote
The Hon. Susan Close
Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, SA

Panelist
Benjamin Zammitt
Executive Director, Regulation & Compliance, Department of Energy & Mining

Panelist
Tim Dobson
Managing Director, Magnetite Mines

Panelist
Jeremy Hill
Partner, MinterEllison

Facilitator
Matthew Uidam
Managing Director, Earth and Environment, WSP

Panelist
Lisien Loan
Director, Conservation and Wildlife, SA Department for Environment and Water

Panelist
Laura Meredith
Environmental Manager, Torrens to Darlington Project (T2D)

Panelist
Dr Fiona Simon
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Hydrogen Council

Insights

Valuing what matters – Factoring in nature and biodiversity

We spoke to WSP’s Alex Cockerill, National Executive – Ecology, and Kanya Raj, Senior Economist – Infrastructure Advisory, about how to recognise, measure, and protect the value of nature.

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Tackling the two top challenges in major project delivery

Mining projects have always been complex, but the race to accelerate critical minerals projects in order to meet renewable energy targets is putting the sector under increasing pressure.

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Learning from Country for a water-resilient future

With a growing population and a changing climate, we have a real opportunity to learn from Traditional Owners in managing our water resources for a sustainable and resilient future.

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Projects

EnergyConnect

Essential to ensuring security and reliability of the grid to support increasing renewable energy connections, the new EnergyConnect transmission line will link New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria and would assist in transporting energy from the South-West Renewable Energy Zone to major demand centres.

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Land iQ

The Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure, working with its partners WSP and Giraffe has developed a world first, whole of government spatial tool to transform planning and pre-development processes.

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Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone

For Australia to achieve net zero, the National Electricity Market (NEM) must transform. To fill the gap as coal-fired generation progressively retires, renewable energy zones (REZs) have been identified as hubs for new generation, storage and transmission infrastructure.

Learn more