SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference Program

Kick off the SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference on The Terrace Rooftop Bar at Emporium Hotel South Bank. Reconnect with colleagues, meet new faces from across the SPW CRC community, and enjoy an evening of conversation and refreshments.

Official Welcome

Hear from our Chair and special guest as they officially welcome delegates to the SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference 2026.

Dr Leonie Walsh
Chair, SPW CRC

Prof Bronwyn Harch
Vice President (Industry and External Engagement), Griffith University

Continue conversations over drinks and canapés while taking in the rooftop views. Connect with Partners, Industry Researchers and invited guests, strengthen existing relationships, and spark new collaborations ahead of the conference.

The Welcome Reception concludes. We look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow morning as the SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference officially gets underway.

Collect your lanyard, enjoy a tea or coffee, and take the opportunity to connect with delegates before the conference officially begins.

Welcome Address & Acknowledgement of Country

Dr Leonie Walsh
Chair, SPW CRC

SPW CRC Progress to Date

Paul Hodgson
CEO, SPW CRC

Waste Is Changing. So Must We.

Grant Gabriel
CEO, ARRC Gold Coast

About Grant Gabriel

Grant is ARRC’s Chief Executive Officer. A Fellow of Engineers Australia and a Chartered Professional Engineer, Grant has more than 20 years’ experience delivering complex infrastructure and circular economy programs across government and industry. He led the establishment of ARRC and now leads the delivery of ARRC’s integrated resource recovery precinct. Grant is recognised for aligning diverse stakeholders, driving commercial outcomes and leading high-performing teams to deliver long-term, sustainable infrastructure that creates enduring community value.

Learn more about ARRC Gold Coast

Introduction: RP3 Circular Economy – Implementing a circular economy for plastics in Australia

Prof Damien Giurco
RP3 Program Leader, SPW CRC

3-Minute Project Updates

P3.1.1 Towards a zero plastic waste circular economy in the City of Gold Coast

Dr Jamie Chen
Postdoctoral Researcher,
University of Technology Sydney

Dr Isuri Amarasinghe
Postdoctoral Researcher, Griffith University

P3.2.2 Improving recycled polyolefin quality and driving a circular economy in NSW

Dr Alexander Wotton
Industry Project Leader, NSW EPA

P3.2.5 Co-designing innovative approaches to solving silage plastic waste in Gippsland

Prof Amy Cosby
Research Project Leader, CQUniversity

S3.3.4 Designing a pathway for soft plastics in Australia: Lessons from global policy, innovation, and circular economy models

KC Kasturi
PhD Student, University of Technology Sydney

Learn more about RP3 Circular Economy and its projects

Roundtable Discussion Moderators

Prof Damien Giurco
RP3 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Dr Simran Talwar
RP3 Deputy Program Leader, SPW CRC

Meet the Panellists

Dr Alexander Wotton
Snr Project Officer – Plastics Technical,
NSW EPA

Chris Owen
General Manager – Waste and Resource Recovery, City of Gold Coast

Danielle Smalley
CEO, Exchange for Change

Prof Damien Giurco
Circular Economy Chair,
University of Melbourne and
RP3 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Panel Discussion Moderator

Dr Simran Talwar
RP3 Deputy Program Leader, SPW CRC

Take a break, enjoy refreshments, and continue conversations with colleagues from across the SPW CRC community.

Introduction: RP4 Microplastics – Mitigating the risk of microplastics in agricultural soils 

Dist. Prof Andy Ball
RP4 Program Leader, SPW CRC

3-Minute Project Updates

P4.1.1 Developing standard protocols for the collection, isolation, quantification and characterisation of microplastics from soils and composts

Dr Amanda Dawson
Postdoctoral Researcher, Griffith University

P4.1.2 Investigation of microplastics and plastic pipes

Dr Stacey O’Brien
Postdoctoral Researcher, Griffith University

P4.2.1 Sources, fate, and management of microplastics in Australian agricultural soils

Dr Scott Wilson
Postdoctoral Researcher, RMIT University

P4.3.1 Anaerobic digester health-interaction of microplastics with the microbial community

Dr Christian Krohn
Postdoctoral Researcher, RMIT University

P4.4.1 Use of synthetic biology for microplastic-free compost

Dr Kate Tepper
Postdoctoral Researcher, Macquarie University

Learn more about RP4 Microplastics and its projects

Meet the Panellists

Dr Anne-Maree Boland
Associate, RMCG

Cindy Bray
Executive General Manager,
Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA)

Dr Jacqui Simpson
Senior R&D Manager, Hort Innovation

Dr Pheobe Lewis
Senior Scientist – Emerging Contaminants,
EPA VIC

Panel Discussion Moderator

Dist. Prof Andy Ball
RP4 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Roundtable Discussion Moderator

Dist. Prof Andy Ball
RP4 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Industry Researcher Development Program (IRDP)

An update on how SPW CRC Industry Researchers (PhD Students and Postdoctoral Researchers) are developing industry-ready skills, building lasting networks and creating research with real-world impact.

Dr Tingting Liu
E&T Program Leader, SPW CRC

Learn more about IRDP

Microcredentials

An update on SPW CRC’s growing microcredential offering, including Core Skills for SPW CRC Industry Researchers, new courses from our Research Programs and more in development.

Deb Friel
Microcredential Manager, SPW CRC

Explore our SPW CRC Microcredentials

Take a break for lunch, then explore posters from SPW CRC Industry Researchers (PhD Students and Postdoctoral Researchers) in Research Programs 1 and 2 as they share their research and answer your questions.

1.20 pm – 1.40 pm: RP1 and RP2 SPW CRC Industry Researcher Poster Session

Introduction: RP1 Materials and Design – Reducing products’ environmental impact

Prof Stefanie Feih
RP1 Program Leader, SPW CRC

3-Minute Project Updates

P1.1.1 Sustainable plastics use in health care – Stage 1

Prof Pete Halley
Research Project Leader,
The University of Queensland

Renae McBrien
Industry Project Leader,
Children’s Health Queensland

P1.3.1 PHA production from Australian sugarcane and its byproducts

Dr Ian Levett
Postdoctoral Researcher,
The University of Queensland

P1.4.1 Social drivers and barriers to adopting compostable packaging

Dr Pabasara Wijeratne
Postdoctoral Researcher, RMIT University

P1.4.2 Developing a compostable barrier film for food packaging

Dr Rajkamal Balu
Postdoctoral Researcher, RMIT University

P1.4.4 Biodegradable films for Australian frozen packaged products

Dr Luigi Vandi
Research Project Leader,
The University of Queensland

Luke Poile
Industry Project Leader, Tweed Bait

Learn more about RP1 Materials & Design and its projects

Meet the Panellists

Guy Kennedy
General Manager – Sustainable Plastics,
Neumann Steel

Joshua Evans
Asset Strategy Manager, ARRC Gold Coast

Dr Manuel Brunner
Senior Manager Sustainable Material Innovation & Investments,
Minderoo Foundation

Marie de Perthuis
CEO, MyEco Group

Panel Discussion Moderator

Prof Stefanie Feih
RP1 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Roundtable Discussion Moderator

Prof Stefanie Feih
RP1 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Take a break for afternoon tea, then explore posters from Industry Researchers (PhD Students and Postdoctoral Researchers) in Research Programs 3 and 4 as they share their research and answer your questions.

3.10 pm – 3.30 pm: RP3 and RP4 SPW CRC Industry Researcher Poster Session

Introduction: RP2 Recovery and Recycling – Maximising the recovery and value of end-of-life plastics

Prof Minoo Naebe
RP2 Program Leader, SPW CRC

3-Minute Project Updates

P2.3.2 Development of sustainable polypropylene fibres and films from recycled waste and P2.3.3 Quantifying Recycled Content in Plastic Waste

Dr Omid Zabihi
Postdoctoral Researcher, Deakin University

P2.4.1 Pyrolysis process optimisation

Dr Mehedi Hasan
Postdoctoral Researcher, CQUniversity

P2.4.2 Advanced Recycling (AR) technologies to address Australia’s plastic waste – 2026 update

Dr Michael Batten
Project Researcher, CSIRO

S2.1.1 and S2.1.4 Behaviour change, reducing single-use plastics

Prof Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
PhD Supervisor, Griffith University

Learn more about RP2 Recovery & Recycling and its projects

Meet the Panellists

Andrew Nasarczyk
Director – Global Innovation and Sustainability,
GALE Pacific

Darren Thorpe
Managing Director, APR Recycling

Prof Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Professor, Griffith University

Suzanne Toumbourou
CEO, Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR)

Panel Discussion Moderator

Prof Mohammad Rasul
P2.4.1 Research Project Leader, CQUniversity

Roundtable Discussion Moderators

Prof Minoo Naebe
RP2 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Prof Mohammad Rasul
P2.4.1 Research Project Leader, CQUniversity

Paul Hodgson
CEO, SPW CRC

Day 1 concludes. We look forward to welcoming registered delegates to this evening’s Conference Dinner for an opportunity to continue conversations and connect with colleagues in a relaxed setting.

Begin the evening with pre-dinner drinks on the rooftop at Rydges South Bank. Take in the views, connect with delegates and continue conversations before dinner is served.

Take your seat for the Conference Dinner and enjoy an evening overlooking the Brisbane skyline as we celebrate another year of collaboration across the SPW CRC community.

7.15 pm: Welcome

Paul Hodgson
CEO, SPW CRC

7.30 pm: Dinner Served

The Plastic Problem in Paradise

Libby Edge
Founder, Eco Barge Clean Seas

About Libby Edge

Libby Edge founded Eco Barge Clean Seas, inspired by a lifelong connection to the marine environment and more than 20 years in the marine industry. Since 2009, Eco Barge has removed more than 280,000 kilograms of marine debris from the Whitsunday region, with hard plastic remnants, bottle top lids and plastic drink bottles among the most commonly found items. Through partnerships with organisations including Coca-Cola Australia and support from the Queensland Government, Eco Barge combines marine debris removal with community action, education and recycling, processing recoverable plastics into new products and exploring innovative ways to give plastic debris a new life.

Learn more about Eco Barge Clean Seas

Join Dist. Prof Chengrong Chen, SPW CRC Research Director, as we recognise outstanding research communication from our Industry Researchers (PhD Students and Postdoctoral Researchers) across all four SPW CRC Research Programs.

Following today’s poster sessions, awards will be presented for Outstanding and Commendable posters across both the Postdoctoral Researcher and PhD Student categories.

Dist. Prof Chengrong Chen
Research Director, SPW CRC

Continue the evening with dessert, refreshments and conversation while enjoying the rooftop setting and connecting with colleagues from across the SPW CRC community.

The Conference Dinner concludes. We hope you’ve enjoyed the evening, and we look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow for the final day of the SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference.

Check in, collect your lanyard if you’re joining us for the first time, enjoy a tea or coffee, and reconnect with colleagues before the day’s program begins.

Welcome Address & Acknowledgement of Country

Paul Hodgson
CEO, SPW CRC

Less Landfill, More Recycling 2035: Queensland Waste Strategy

Claire Andersen
Executive Director, Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI)

About Claire Andersen

Claire Andersen is Executive Director, Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling, in the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. She has more than 20 years’ experience in a range of policy, operational and regulatory roles across Queensland Government. She had led major reforms across fisheries, forestry, Great Barrier Reef policy and environmental regulation and has led the development of the new Queensland Waste Strategy.

Meet the Panellists

Alicia Waddington
Project Manager Innovation Capability,
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)

Prof Amy Cosby
Interim Director, Institute for Future Farming Systems, CQUniversity

Dr Anne-Maree Boland
Associate, RMCG

Kylie Porter
CEO, Queensland Farmers’ Federation

Rachel Mackenzie
CEO, Berries Australia

Panel Discussion Moderator

Prof Damien Giurco
RP3 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Learn more about RP3 Circular Economy and its projects

Enjoy morning tea and take the opportunity to connect with fellow delegates before the day’s discussions continue.

Meet the Panellists

Barry Cosier
CEO, Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA)

Charles Tan
EPR Assurance and Activation Manager,
APCO (Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation)

Geoff Parker
CEO, Australian Beverages Council

Martine Poulain
CEO, Australasian Bioplastics Association

Prof Steven Pratt
Director, ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics,
School of Chemical Engineering,
The University of Queensland

Panel Discussion Moderator

Prof Stefanie Feih
RP1 Program Leader, SPW CRC

Learn more about RP1 Materials & Design and its projects

Closing Reflections

Paul Hodgson
CEO, SPW CRC

Dr Leonie Walsh
Chair, SPW CRC

Enjoy a light lunch while catching up with colleagues and making the most of your final networking opportunities before the conference concludes.

Thank you for joining us at the SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference 2026. We look forward to continuing our collaborations and welcoming you to future SPW CRC events.