PROGRAM OVERVIEW
We are back bigger and better than ever on 30 May 2025 @ U City Function Centre, Adelaide!
The only sector conference brought to you by local government for local government and its supporters, the event brings together industry celebrating the PEOPLE behind the PLACES.
We will be bringing you a full day of content, including guest keynote speakers, 2 concurrent presentation streams, and more than 6 hours of content!
You can also join us for the social event of the year as we celebrate the best of SA/NT’s parks and leisure industry at our Awards of Excellence cocktail event!
A full conference program including all speakers and presentation abstracts will be available closer to the event date.
8:00am Registrations
Tea + coffee available on arrival. Time to check out the trade show exhibitors!
8:45am Welcome
Official conference opening from PLA + special guests.
9:00am Keynote Speaker
Kicking off the conference is Stephen Yarwood, Urban futurist and former Lord Mayor of Adelaide.
9:45am Industry Panel
Stay tuned as we bring together an industry panel to discuss the challenges and opportunities our sector face in 2025 and beyond!
10:30am Morning Tea
Take a moment for a break and explore the trade show exhibitors before the first block of presentations begin.
11:00am Speaker Session #1
2 streams of presentations will be underway concurrently – pick your favourite topics and hear from our program partners!
12:30pm Lunch
Take a moment for a break over lunch and explore the trade show exhibitors before the next series of presentations begin.
1:30pm Speaker Session #2
2 streams of presentations will be underway concurrently – pick your favourite topics and hear from our program partners!
3:00pm Keynote Speaker
To finish off the day’s proceedings hear from Jed Altschwager, Gold-medal winning Paralympian about his life and achievements!
3:45pm Close + Networking
A formal close from PLA before we enjoy some light refreshments before the Awards of Excellence event begins.
4:00pm - 5:00pm Awards of Excellence
Join us for the social event of the year as we celebrate the best of SA/NT’s parks and leisure industry at our Awards of Excellence cocktail event!
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Stephen Yarwood, Urban Futurist + Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide
Stephen Yarwood is a renowned Futurist, highly respected Urbanist and the Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide. Serving as a catalyst for change for both corporate and community organisations, his passion extends beyond envisioning the future; he educates, motivates and empowers people to shape it. With a strong skill set in cross-disciplinary strategic foresight, Stephen is deeply fascinated by the dynamic interplay between people, places, technology, and change.
READ MORE ABOUT STEPHEN
Stephen has a Bachelor of Arts in Planning, Graduate Diplomas in Regional & Urban Planning and Environmental Studies, an MBA from Adelaide University and is an award-winning Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. He has a wealth of international experience working around Australia and in NZ, Asia the Middle East and North America. He has been on a global advisory board for Airbnb, worked on mega projects in Saudi Arabia and provided keynote presentations to over 150,000 people in the last 10 years in several countries.
During his time as Lord Mayor (2010-2104), his emphasis on collaboration with the private sector and State Government delivered many outcomes and saw Adelaide recognised internationally as an innovative destination by Lonely Planet, National Geographic and The New York Times. Prior to being Lord Mayor, Stephen worked in the South Australian Government and Parliament, in Local Government and internationally as a planner, researcher, educator and speaker.
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jed Altschwager, Paralympic Gold Medalist
A passionate surfer from a young age, Jed Altschwager has always valued his connection with the water, and it was one that would only grow deeper following a traumatic workplace accident which forced the amputation of his left leg below the knee in 2015. Sport played a central role in Jed’s journey back to full physical and mental wellbeing, and he fell in love with Para-rowing in the process.
READ MORE ABOUT JED
He won a Silver medal on his international debut for Australia in the Men’s PR3 Pair at the 2018 World Rowing Championships , and defended his title a year later, but it was his partnership with Nikki Ayers that would change his career forever. The duo won the Gold medal in the PR3 Mixed Double at the 2023 World Rowing Championships, a year in which they were also crowned Rowing Australia 2023 Para Crew of the Year, while Jed also claimed Rowing Australia’s 77BC Rower’s Rower of the Year. With the PR3 Mixed Double event making its debut at the Paris Paralympics, the pair made history at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, adding a Paralympic title to their World Championship and World Record in the event, and securing Australia’s first ever Gold Medal in Para-rowing.
Away from the boat, Jed is a loving Dad and Husband, a deep thinker, passionate advocate for growth, constant learning and a connection with self and community. A shining example of resilience in the pursuit of excellence.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
We are thrilled to be teaming up with our program partners to provide a series of spotlight speakers who will present throughout the conference:
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Check out some of the highlights from our 2025 Program, with the full program to be released soon!
Official conference opening from PLA + special guests.
Kicking off the conference is Stephen Yarwood, Urban futurist and former Lord Mayor of Adelaide.
Stephen Yarwood is a renowned Futurist, highly respected Urbanist and the Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide. Serving as a catalyst for change for both corporate and community organisations, his passion extends beyond envisioning the future; he educates, motivates and empowers people to shape it. With a strong skill set in cross-disciplinary strategic foresight, Stephen is deeply fascinated by the dynamic interplay between people, places, technology, and change.
Matt Pears, CEO Mitcham Council
Matt has worked in Local Government for the last nineteen years and before that for a decade in Centrelink offices across South Australia. Matt is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Mitcham and has served on a number of Boards including the Leadership institute of South Australia, North Adelaide Waste Management Authority, Centennial Park Cemetery Authority, and currently on the YMCA SA Board of Directors.
Paul Di Iulio, CEO Campbelltown City Council
Paul Di Iulio has extensive experience in executive management and leadership roles, gained through a career in local government. With a background in civil engineering, he has worked with the Campbelltown City Council for 30 years, Chief Executive Officer for the past 13 years. He is also the President of the Norwood Football Club, a Director of the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority, Board member at SYC Limited and previous President of IPWEA among other roles.
*More panellists to be announced soon!
Take a moment for a break and explore the trade show exhibitors before the first block of presentations begin.
ROOM A
The importance of stakeholder consultation: State Basketball Centre
(DesignInc Adelaide)
2024 PLA SA/NT Region Award Winner: Community Facility of the Year
Presented by: Ben Luppino
This presentation will explore the importance and benefit of the stakeholder consultation process in shaping a successful project, using examples from Wulanda Rec Centre (PLA community facility of the year in 2023), Mount Barker Aquatic Centre, and the State Basketball Centre – which serves as a centre of excellence for high-performance sports programs. The Centre caters for the entire community, from high performance facilities for national league teams to all other grass-roots basketball programs, from grassroots to national teams. The Centre’s barrier-free design provides inclusive, adaptable facilities that promote diversity and participation in sports, regardless of abilities or age. The inclusion of sensory spaces, and full wheelchair accessibility, gives all members of the community a place for social and competition based recreation.
Driving innovation and access to physical activity through community grants and walking programs
(Heart Foundation)
Presented by Teresea Gadaleta
The Heart Foundation’s Active Australia Innovation Challenge (AAIC) and Heart Foundation Walking (HFW) program are key initiatives to increase physical activity among people living in Australia.
The AAIC is a grants program that empowers communities to design and implement innovative solutions for increasing physical activity, particularly for priority populations. An evaluation in 2022 highlighted the importance of flexible grant amounts and robust application criteria, which informed the 2024 grants round. This round attracted 1,148 applications, with 10 projects awarded.
HFW is a population-based physical activity program that has supported Australian adults in staying active through volunteer-led walking groups since 1995. The program provides a safe, social, and supportive environment for walking. In 2021, the introduction of online Personal Walking Plans expanded its reach, and HFW has now engaged over 370,000 walkers nationally. A 2023 evaluation found high satisfaction among participants and volunteer Walk Organisers, with an 89% retention rate after 12 months
Paradise Recreation Plaza
(Campbelltown City Council + JPE Design Studio)
2024 PLA National Award Winner: Park of the Year
Presented by: Wade Della Torre (Campbelltown City Council) + Amelia Murphy (JPE Design Studio)
Paradise Recreation Plaza in Paradise South Australia provides an exciting and dynamic space for people of all ages, abilities and skill levels to enjoy. It offers a new safe, accessible and highly functioning recreation destination providing high quality play, skate/scooter, bike/BMX, parkour, ninja adventure, hardcourt space, kick-about grassed area and picnic/BBQ facilities. The redevelopment was completed in December 2023 at a project cost of $3.89 million, with $1.52 million awarded from the South Australian State Government’s Planning and Development Fund Open Space Grant.
ROOM B
Wilding the Greens: Turf and biodiversity
(Monina Gilbey)
2024 PLA National Award Winner: Environmental Stewardship
Presented by: Monina Gilbey, Torgersen Gilbey
Imagine your golf course or green space not just as a place to play, but as a thriving ecosystem. In our cities, these spaces are crucial refuges for wildlife, urban cooling and supporting overall ecosystem health.
This presentation dives into inspiring projects undertaken at Glenelg Golf Club and other golf clubs around Australia, showcasing how they’re making a difference. You’ll be inspired to replicate these successes at your own facility, transforming it into a key component of our urban green infrastructure.
Recreation and ecological contribution, even with managed turf, can coexist.
Future Trees Benchmarking Study
(City of Marion, University of Adelaide + Resilient South)
2024 PLA SA/NT Region Award Winner: Research
Presented by: Stefan Caddy-Retalic
Ensuring the trees we plant today are still healthy in the years to come is a major challenge. This project collated the tree databases developed by councils across Adelaide to map the diversity and demographics of Adelaide’s public urban forest. This information helps us to identify which trees are vulnerable and which species and cultivars we should plant more of to ensure a healthy and resilient urban forest. We have also used the data collected in this phase to identify trees which are safe to plant around power infrastructure to improve planting choices for landowners.
Designing and maintaining Fields of Play to address tomorrow’s needs today
(SPORTENG)
Presented by: Jarrod Hill
The adage of “get it right the first time” has never been more important in recent years. With cost of construction rising and reduction in the availability of skilled maintenance putting stress on our Fields of Play, it is imperative that the planning, design, construction and maintenance of all Fields of Play is done correctly to start with.
With over 20 years experience in designing Fields of Play across Australia, Jarrod will cover the fundamental design, construction and maintenance considerations for natural and synthetic Fields of Play and will touch on what the future holds for the industry moving forward.
Take a moment for a break over lunch and explore the trade show exhibitors before the next series of presentations begin.
ROOM A
Using data to drive decision making and Maximise the Community Benefits of Golf
(Golf Australia)
Presented by: Sally Peers
Golf is transforming and there are now 3.8 Australians enjoying the benefits of golf across all its formats. This presentation will explore how data driven decision-making is creating positive outcomes for golf and is maximising community benefits. We will explore the changing demographics of golf and how more women, girls and diverse communities are getting into the game. Golf plays a vital role in fostering economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social well-being. Our Community Benefits of Golf report created a platform to showcase this, and our Maximising Benefits of Golf report is a practical tool to further explore the different venue types and their benefits, and how clubs, facilities and venue operators can take steps to maximise their own benefits. The presentation aims to inspire attendees to embrace golf’s data as a tool for growth and positive community impact. By showcasing success stories and providing actionable steps, this session fosters collaboration and empowers stakeholders to align golf’s benefits with community priorities. Attendees will gain insights into how the reports can be used, and have been used to create positive community outcomes.
Limestone Coast LGA Sporting Ecosystem Scoping Study
(Tredwell Management + LCLGA)
2024 PLA SA/NT Region Award Winner: Best Rural/Regional Contribution
Presented by: Neil Tredwell + Tony Elletson (LCLGA)
Tredwell Management worked collaboratively with the Limestone Coast Local Government Association (LCLGA) to develop a “sporting ecosystem” that is a sustainable model for delivering pathways for athletes in the Limestone Coast Region. The Limestone Coast Sporting Ecosystem Scoping Study captures the sporting history and heritage of the Region from grassroots to elite level. It will also build and leverage off the success of the Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy (LCRSA).
South Australian Sports Institute Development
(Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing)
Presented by: Chelsee Crawford
Come and hear from the SASI development Project Manager as they detail how a new headquarters for the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) was built at Mile End to complement existing athletics and netball stadiums and create a world class high-performance hub for sport. The State Government and University of South Australia (UniSA) have proudly partnered together to deliver this $88 million project build – home to SASI, the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR), and UniSA Sports Science Hub. The state-of-the-art facility provides a world-class sport, research, and education hub to high-performance athletes and university students. It builds on the Mile End sports precinct sitting alongside the Australian Centre for Sports Aerodynamics, upgraded SA Athletics Stadium, and the SA Netball Centre, and is set to be a drawcard for international sports teams.
ROOM B
Pump tracks across Marion
(City of Marion + Common Ground Trails)
2024 PLA SA/NT Region Award Winner: Playspace <$500k
Presented by: Amy Liddicoat
This presentation will explore the provision of pump tracks across the City of Marion, with a particular focus on the award-winning Majors Road Pump Track which provides a destination for riders in metropolitan Adelaide. Nestled into Glenthorne National Park, between the Sam Willoughby International BMX facility and the O’Halloran Hill Mountain Bike Trails, the pump track brings the community to the trails. Providing an exceptionally designed and constructed pump that rides like a dream according to the users. The track is a fast technical track for experienced riders yet also a perfect training ground for toddlers, children and adults. This track truly embraces intergenerational play.
Play Well - One Year In
(Australian Sports Commission)
Presented by: TBC, Australian Sports Commisison
Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the transformative journey of the Play Well program. With the implementation of the
strategy now one year on, Play Well is working to create inclusive, safe, and engaging sporting
environments for all Australians. Our panel of experts will delve into the program’s achievements, challenges, and future directions. Discover how Play Well has fostered community connections, enhanced physical literacy, and promoted a culture of positive sport participation. Don’t miss this opportunity to
learn about the strides made and the road ahead for this groundbreaking initiative.
Aboriginal Land Management and Cultural Burning
(Green Adelaide)
Presented by: TBC
Cultural burning is a contemporary term used to describe the long standing First Nations practice of using fire to care for Country. Cultural burning is used in some of regional SA, and there is a growing awareness about its important role in urban areas. In May 2021 the Kaurna community undertook the first ever cultural burn in a capital city in Australia supported by a Green Adelaide Grassroots Grant. Held at Carriageway in Parkin Tuthangga (Park 17) of the Adelaide Park Lands on Friday 14 May 2021, it was the first time in over 240 years that Kaurna people have been able to practice cultural burning techniques in public since many of their customs were displaced following European colonisation. The Kaurna community with the City of Adelaide and Green Adelaide worked together to make this cultural burn a reality and continue to partner to support these practices in conjunction with the Firesticks Alliance.
To finish off the day’s proceedings hear from Jed Altschwager, Gold-medal winning Paralympian about his life and achievements!
A passionate surfer from a young age, Jed Altschwager has always valued his connection with the water, and it was one that would only grow deeper following a traumatic workplace accident which forced the amputation of his left leg below the knee in 2015. Sport played a central role in Jed’s journey back to full physical and mental wellbeing, and he fell in love with Para-rowing in the process.
A formal close from PLA before we enjoy some light refreshments before the Awards of Excellence event begins.
Take a moment to celebrate our Awards of Excellence nominees and winners over drinks and canapes.
Thanks to our partners and sponsors for their support
