26 May, 2026
Local Government Technology Summit NSW 2026
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Bringing local government leaders together to discuss IT transformation, digital service delivery, and technology adoption in NSW.
Delegates
Speakers
Sessions
Local government is at a tipping point where resilient, adaptable IT is critical to turning emerging technologies into real outcomes.
This Summit explores how NSW councils can modernise core IT infrastructure to deliver secure, scalable digital services, become AI ready and operate more efficiently in a resource-constrained environment.
The role of IT in local government is undergoing a fundamental shift. Councils are moving beyond isolated technology upgrades and toward modernising foundational infrastructure that can adapt to rapid technological change, increasing service demands and constrained budgets.
As tech expectations rise, local governments are being challenged to deliver scalable, citizen centric services while maintaining security, resilience and performance.
At the same time, AI is transitioning from pilot programs to practical, operational use cases across councils from improving service delivery to enabling smarter decision making. This shift is forcing councils to rethink infrastructure readiness, governance and how emerging technologies can be integrated safely and sustainably.
This event will explore how NSW councils can build modern, agile IT foundations that support innovation, strengthen trust and enable a smarter, more efficient future for local government.
Meet our Speakers
Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer
Director Organisational Services
Director Shire Performance
Director Corporate Services
Chief Information Officer
Featured Topics for the Day
View Agenda
8:30 am
Registration & Refreshments
9:00 am
Welcome Remarks
9:10 am
Attendee Spotlight
Beyond Borders: How are global technology trends reshaping how councils are designing & delivering tech strategies
9:40 am
Panel Discussion
Transforming Local Government to Create a Smarter, More Efficient Future
What does a future-ready council of 2030 look like?
Council leadership essential to embrace innovation & deliver long-term organisational change
Addressing funding challenges & how to do more with less
Driving citizen engagement by aligning digital & organisational goals
Jane Howard
Chief Information Officer
Penrith City Council
Kate Davies
Director Organisational Services
Lake Macquarie City Council
Gaya Gounder
Chief Information Officer
Camden Council
Marcello Chiodo
Executive Manager Technology and Corporate Services
Shellharbour City Council
Rob Seidel
Director Shire Performance
Wollondilly Shire Council
10:20 am
Presentation
Where to start when AI demands a foundation you don't yet have?
10:40 am
Morning Tea & Networking
11:10 am
Interactive Scenario
Build Your Local Government Digital Uplift Roadmap Task: From Strategy to Execution
11:40 am
Panel Discussion
Foundational Infrastructure Modernisation to Adapt to Technological Change
Moving beyond isolated upgrades to modernising infrastructure end-to-end
Designing infrastructure that can adapt to emerging tech such as AI & automation
Modernising critical infrastructure while maintaining security & performance requirements
Strategies for identifying, prioritising and reducing tech debt
Danijel Andric
Chief Information Officer
Bayside Council
Amy Reynolds
Chief Technology Officer
Port Stephens Council
Wayne Rogers
Director Corporate Services
Blacktown City Council
Dr Tom Gao
Chief Information Officer
City of Sydney
12:20 pm
Presentation
Responsible AI: Safeguarding Trust and Driving Innovation in the AI Era
12:40 pm
Lunch & Networking
1:20 pm
Interactive Workshops
Managing cyber risk in a resource constrained environment
Automation opportunities to improve service delivery & reduce manual workloads
Enhancing citizen experience across digital and in person channels
Moving from AI pilots to practical operational use cases
2:10 pm
Fireside Chat
Strengthening Local Government Cyber Resilience in an Era of Growing Threats
Building practical cyber resilience across councils with limited budgets, legacy systems & expanding digital services
Preparing for evolving threats including ransomware, social engineering and supply chain vulnerabilities while maintaining service continuity
Luke Harvey
Chief Information Officer
Hornsby Shire Council
Ayman Essmat
Chief Information Officer
Eurobodalla Shire Council
2:40 pm
Presentation
From Requests to Resolution: Why ‘Doing More With Less’ in Field Service Is Breaking Local Government
Andrew Wiltshire
Area Director
Totalmobile
3:00 pm
Afternoon Tea & Networking
3:20 pm
Keynote
The Invisible Economy & How Digital is Reshaping Local Government
The growing capability of citizens in an AI-enabled world & how expectations are changing
Uplifting AI literacy within councils to unlock faster, smarter service delivery
Moving from reactive service models to proactive, real-time engagement with communities
Navigating emerging risks from AI-driven complaints & misinformation
Marek Kowalkiewicz
Professor & Chair in Digital Economy
QUT
