10 Nov, 2026
Local Government Technology Summit VIC 2026
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Bringing local government leaders together to discuss IT transformation, digital service delivery, and technology adoption in VIC.
Delegates
Speakers
Sessions
Join VIC councils exploring modernising IT, practical AI & smarter cities.
The Local Government Technology Summit VIC brings together senior technology, digital and corporate services leaders from councils across Victoria to explore the strategies shaping the future of local government.
As councils respond to evolving community expectations, increasing service demands and the rapid pace of technological change, digital transformation has become critical to delivering more efficient, connected and citizen-focused services. Through keynote presentations, real-world case studies, panel discussions and interactive workshops, delegates will explore how councils are modernising infrastructure, embracing AI and automation, improving digital service delivery and building technology ecosystems that support long-term organisational goals.
The program will showcase practical approaches to driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening digital capabilities and enabling smarter, data-informed decision-making across council operations.
Designed for CIOs, Directors of Corporate Services, ICT, digital and technology leaders, this summit offers a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas and gain practical insights to help build smarter, more resilient and future-ready councils across Victoria.
Meet our Speakers
Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer
Director Corporate Performance
Head of Cloud Infrastructure and Operations
Chief Information Officer
Interim Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer
Coordinator of IT Operations & Cyber
Featured Topics for the Day
View Agenda
8:30 am
Registration & Refreshments
9:00 am
Opening Remarks
Thea Mulheran
Chief Customer Officer
ENTAG
9:10 am
Beyond Borders: How Global Technology Trends Are Reshaping Council Technology Strategies
9:40 am
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
Adil Khan
Chief Information Officer
City of Monash
Angela Hays
Director Corporate Performance
City of Greater Bendigo
Eddie Cheng
Chief Information Officer
Yarra Ranges Council
Tomas McLean
Southern Sales Manager - E&G Accounts
Aussie Broadband
10:20 am
AI Doesn't Need More Data. It Needs Meaning.
Every council wants AI to ease the planning permit backlog. But AI can't tell which zone, overlay or clause applies to a lot unless the council has defined it. This keynote shows why meaning, not the model, is what makes council AI trustworthy, and how to start building it on the Microsoft platform councils already own.
Puran Ticku
CEO & Chief Architect
The Blue Owls
10:40 am
Morning Tea & Networking
11:10 am
Build Your Local Government Digital Uplift Roadmap Task: From Strategy to Execution
11:40 am
AI-Powered Council Transformation: Becoming a Frontier Council
Embracing AI as a strategic capability to drive productivity, workforce transformation and improved resident outcomes
Building secure, governed foundations for AI, data and emerging technologies across the organisation
Activating data and AI-driven capabilities to enable better decision-making, service delivery and operational outcomes
Balancing innovation with security, compliance and responsible AI governance requirements
Anthony Brittain
Chief Information Officer
City of Greater Geelong
Brendan Clifford
Chief Information Officer
Hume City Council
Tim Wakeham
Chief Information Officer
Banyule City Council
Gurnit Saini
Interim Chief Information Officer
City of Port Phillip
Kshitij Gopal
Sr. Director & Head - AI Business Solutions
Microsoft/Data#3
12:20 pm
AI for Councils: Building the Trusted Data Layer
Connecting data, governance and business logic to create a foundation for trusted AI
Matt Buglisi
Founder
GDATA
12:40 pm
Lunch & Networking
1:20 pm
Roundtable Discussions
Process Mapping? Yeah… Nah. What’s actually stopping councils from being AI ready?
Digital Trust as Infrastructure: Enabling secure, standardised and trusted digital ecosystems
Is AI replacing or elevating Service Management & what does that mean for local government operating models?
Assume Breach: Security Beyond Prevention
2:10 pm
Foundational Infrastructure Modernisation to Support Innovation & 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
Matt Phillips
Head of IT Engineering & Support
City of Casey
Ruchi Panjwani
Chief Information Officer
Whitehorse City Council
Rosario Grasso
Head of Cloud Infrastructure and Operations
Moonee Valley City Council
Greg Boldiston
Coordinator of IT Operations & Cyber
Cardinia Shire Council
2:50 pm
Securing Councils in the AI Era: From Reactive Defence to Proactive Resilience
Amit Singh
Technical Director & Founder
3Columns
