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Mid West Major Projects 2026

Exploring investment, project development and collaboration across the region

29-30 April 2026 | Novotel Perth Langley

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overview

The 5th Mid West Major Projects Conference supported by the Mid West Development Commission will be looking at growth, investment, diversification, transition, new energy, and collaboration across the region.

This year’s event will provide the perfect opportunity for the regions senior industry, investors, businesses, community, and government representatives to re-join and reconnect for this unique networking and shared learning opportunity.

Key topics to be discussed include:

  • Key investment and partnership opportunities within the region, encouraging sustainable growth, resilience and diversification
  • Significant developments in decarbonsation efforts across mining, exports, ports, shipping and industrial sectors
  • The rise of emerging industries driving economic expansion
  • New initiatives and ambitious goals for major growth in renewable energy sectors, including wind, solar, hydrogen, and gas.
  • Managing and stimulating growth, innovative & collaborative infrastructure, transport, primary industries
  • Creating thriving and diverse communities

2026 Speakers

Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC

Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West

Nils Hay

Chief Executive Officer, Mid West Development Commission

Joe Ariyaratnam

Vice President Business Management and Growth, Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU)

Damian Tully

CEO, Mid West Ports Authority

Luke Barber

Development Manager, Vestas

David Parker

Commercial Manager, Empire Metals

John Welborn

Executive Chairman, Fenix Resources Limited

Leon Taylor

Director, FI Joint Venture Pty Ltd

Rohan Warr

Managing Director, Dongara Marine

Laurie Barlow

General Manager, Yamatji Water

Abdul Ekram

Director - Asia Investment Desk & Lead for Hydrogen and Green Metal strategy , Austrade

Justin Brown

Managing Director, Element 25

Alex Passmore

Chief Executive Officer, New Murchison Gold

Joanne Fabling

CEO, Mid West Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Graham Arvidson

CEO, Australian Vanadium Limited

Tim Bray

Deputy Director General, PoweringWA, Department of Energy and Economic Diversification

Stephen Archer

CEO, Warradarge Energy

Angela Kelly

Deputy Director General - State Development and Project Facilitation, Department of Energy and Economic Diversification

Matt Walsh

Chief Customer Officer and Interim Chief Network Officer, Vocus

Agenda

8:00 am

Registration & Morning Coffee

9:00 am

EVENT OPENING

Alexandra Bennet, Conference Director, Informa Connect

9:05 am

Opening remarks from the Chair

9:10 am

Boundless Opportunity of the Mid West

Nils Hay, Chief Executive Officer, Mid West Development Commission

9:45 am

Western Australia’s Energy Transition: Large-scale projects in the Mid West

Tim Bray, Deputy Director General, PoweringWA, Department of Energy and Economic Diversification

10:10 am

Mitsui: An Integrated Energy Solutions Business

Joe Ariyaratnam, Vice President Business Management and Growth, Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU)

10:35 am

FIJV’s Yogi Magnetite Project

Leon Taylor, Director, FI Joint Venture Pty Ltd

11:00 am

Networking & Refreshment Break

11:30 am

Growth Starts Here: How Mid West Ports is Enabling the Region’s Next Chapter

Damian Tully, CEO, Mid West Ports Authority

11:55 am

How Fenix is unlocking value in the Mid-West

John Welborn, Executive Chairman, Fenix Resources Limited

12:20 pm

Essential energy powering Australian industries, business and manufacturing

1:20 am

Networking & Lunch Break

2:15 am

  • Long-term energy strategies – Fossil fuels & renewable energy development
  • The potential of hydrogen and its derivatives in shaping the energy landscape
  • Opportunities and innovations in manufacturing driven by energy advancements and policies
  • The critical role of affordable energy in fostering manufacturing, trade and investment opportunities
  • Opportunities for data centres in the region – Can data centres strengthen the region’s future?

2:45 am

Session to be advised

3:15 am

  • Bringing meaningful benefits to first nation people
  • Indigenous-led development, decision-making
  • Opportunities for inclusive growth
  • Pathways for investment, partnerships and regenerative business models

3:45 am

Networking & Refreshment Break

4:15 am

Mid West Wind Farm Project - Vestas

Luke Barber, Development Manager, Vestas

4:40 am

Session to be advised

5:05 am

Renewable Developments in the Mid-West

Stephen Archer, CEO, Warradarge Energy

5:30 am

CLOSING | End of Day One

5:30 pm

Networking Drinks

8:15 am

Registration & Morning Coffee

8:50 am

Opening remarks

9:00 am

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS | Driving nationally significant industries from the Mid West

Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West

9:10 am

  • Region’s current trade performance and key industries
  • Role of technology, innovation, infrastructure and connectivity
  • Collaboration and partnerships
  • Future opportunities and emerging markets
  • Success stories – Thriving in regional and global trade

9:40 am

Session to be advised

10:05 am

Pitfield Project – Advancing a Globally Significant Titanium Discovery in the Mid West

David Parker, Commercial Manager, Empire Metals

10:30 am

AVL – From Pit to Battery

Graham Arvidson, CEO, Australian Vanadium Limited

10:55 am

Element 25, Butcherbird Manganese Mine

Justin Brown, Managing Director, Element 25

11:20 am

Networking & Refreshment Break

11:50 am

  • Addressing the most significant challenges – infrastructure, workforce availability, supply chain dynamics, and global competition
  • Industry support programs to help businesses build capacity and capability in manufacturing
  • How can partnerships and investments help to scale production and enhance efficiency?

12:20 pm

New Murchison Gold

Alex Passmore, Chief Executive Officer, New Murchison Gold

12:45 pm

  • Diversified, high-capacity backhaul means for major projects in WA’s north
  • Practical lessons from delivery and approvals on a multi-year regional build
  • How resilient connectivity supports AI/automation, remote operations, safety and decarbonisation initiatives
  • Why route diversity in the Mid West matters for operational resilience

1:10 am

  • Strategic Geographic Advantage
  • Existing Infrastructure and Investments
  • Economic and Employment Opportunities
  • Collaboration to foster innovation
  • Attracting investment and innovation – Incentives, grants, regulatory frameworks

1:35 am

Closing Remarks

1:40 am

Networking & Lunch Break

2:10 am

Close of Conference

Sponsors

exhibitors

Partners

Pricing

Packages Price
Package(Two Days)$2400$2195+GST Early Bird Rate Early Bird Rate


SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS & NOT FOR PROFIT
There is a special discount on conference attendance for all not for profit organisations & small businesses (less than 10 people) that have originated in the the Mid West and are NOT a branch office of a national or international company. To see if you qualify for the discounted rate, please email [email protected]

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

Reconnect and re-engage with your industry peers at the Mid West Major Projects Conference

There are many opportunities for networking including social events such as networking drinks, refreshment breaks and lunches, making this not just a conference… but an all encompassing industry “experience”.

Event sponsorship or exhibiting will allow your organisation to:

  • Build relationships with potential and existing clients
  • Generate leads from a high-level, targeted audience
  • Close sales in a more personal manner than via phone
  • Demonstrate your product in person
  • Network with the industry
  • Build brand awareness

To see what is on offer please contact:

Valerie Pogrebizhsky
Sponsorship Manager
T: +61 (0) 2 9080 4362
E: [email protected]

Event Code of Conduct

We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.

Sustainability

Our Commitment to Sustainability

In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.

We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.

To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.

when & where

29 - 30 Apr 2026

Novotel Perth Langley
221 Adelaide Terrace,
Perth WA 6000
+61 (08) 9221 1200

Book accommodation with HotelMaps
To access the best available rate, book here.

contact

Still have a question?

General Information & Registration
Customer Service
T: +61 (0) 2 9080 4307
E: [email protected]

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Valerie Pogrebizhsky
T: +61 (0) 2 9080 4362
E: [email protected]

Speaking Enquiries
Alex Bennet
Conference Manager
E: [email protected]

Marketing & Media Enquiries
Chris Shorthouse
Marketing Manager
E: [email protected]

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