2026 Program

‘The Bold City’ is the theme of the 2026 Sydney Summit.

We will be exploring how to turn ambition into action. It’s about leadership that balances vision with pragmatism, and a willingness to make the decisions that shape the next generation of Sydney’s growth.

Morning sessions

Eamon Waterford, CEO, Committee for Sydney

Presented by BDO

Matt Levinson, Head of Corporate Affairs, Committee for Sydney and Adira Wiryoatmojo, Research Manager, IPSOS

Exploring how we end scarcity through planning, zoning, and investment with Tom Gellibrand (Chief Executive, Infrastructure NSW), Kerry Robinson OAM (Chief Executive Officer, Blacktown City Council), Megan Gorrey (Sydney Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald) and Estelle Grech, Policy Manager, Committee for Sydney). More speakers to be announced.

 

A crowd sourced, crowd favourite part of the program – this year we are asking To have the future we want, we need to build and invent more of what we need – what does Sydney need to build and invent?

Exploring how we can power a fairer Sydney through clean, connected systems with Sam Kernaghan, Director of Resilience Program, Committee for Sydney) and James Griffin MP (NSW Shadow Minister for Energy, Climate Change and Environment, and Shadow Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government) + more to be announced.

 

Afternoon sessions

Kellie Sloane MP (Leader of the Opposition) in conversation with Jordan Baker (Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald)

Sydney has great examples of how big visions are turned into reality. What can major projects like the transformation of Parramatta’s CBD, Sydney Metro and the revitalisation of George Street teach us about how we can realise future projects that can benefit all Sydneysiders? Hear from Monica Barone PSM (Chief Executive Officer, City of Sydney), David Borger (Executive Director, Business Western Sydney), and Sue Weatherley MPIA (Fellow) (PIA NSW President). 

Bold ideas stay on the page unless we can fund them – what funding models could help bring the next generation of bold ideas to life?

What enabled us to be bold in the past, and how do we recreate those conditions for the future? We’ll be asking some of our most seasoned leaders for a frank assessment to help inform how we move forward. In a discussion moderated by Jordan Baker (Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald) with the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC (former Prime Minister of Australia), Professor the Hon. Bob Carr (former Premier of NSW), Aruna Sathanapally (CEO, Grattan Institute) – and additional speakers to be announced – we will explore how governance can enable the big ideas that will shape Sydney’s next era of ambition, vision and leadership.