This year’s Collab X event in Canberra came at a pivotal moment. With an estimated $45 billion in defence infrastructure investment on the table over the next decade as strategic and geopolitical sands shift, the stakes are sky high.

More than 300 industry leaders, including Defence Security and Estate Group representatives, consultants and constructors packed the room in Canberra to dissect the obstacles and opportunities ahead. 

This year’s Collab X was the first time the program was expanded to include specific sessions on maritime infrastructure, northern Australia as well as the Service Delivery Division of the Security and Estate Group. 

The 2024 Defence Strategic Review, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan, and Integrated Investment Program have sharpened Australia’s defence focus amid a shifting geopolitical landscape. Combined with the uncertainties of a federal election year, there is likely to be greater defence spending.

Navigating long-term infrastructure planning while responding to immediate strategic imperatives was on the minds of the Collab X audience.

Three key takeaways

A collaborative exchange

Consult Australia’s CEO Jonathan Cartledge set the tone for the collaborative discussion. “Our end goal is shared: to support better outcomes for both industry and government. The best outcomes will only be delivered through collaborative leadership.”

The challenges are considerable: tightening budgets and growing project complexity, skills and capacity constraints, the push for net zero and shared value, and the ever-present pressures of productivity and geopolitical uncertainty.

Defence leaders share their insights

Celia Perkins, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Defence, laid out the numbers: 180 capital works projects worth around $41 billion are in progress. While infrastructure spending has surged by around 200% in the past decade, the internal workforce has shrunk by 11%. “It’s our shared reality,” she stated. “And as partners, we want to work on those problems together.” 

Brigadier Gabrielle Follett, now leading Estate Service Delivery, reinforced Defence’s commitment to “genuine strategic partnership”. She oversees the $1 billion-a-year Estate Works Program (EWP) – with everything from firefighting services to facilities maintenance. The EWP collaborates with 10 major industry players, which makes a “one team with shared objectives” approach essential, she said.

Partners in national security

On infrastructure delivery, First Assistant Secretary Infrastructure Division Pat Sowry was direct: “speed to delivery” is as important as speed of delivery. Streamlining planning and procurement, and cutting lead times so construction can start sooner, will be key to success he said.

With many Defence infrastructure projects supporting regional economies – where local workforce participation often exceeds 75% – delays can ripple through entire communities. Pat likened Defence and industry to a three-legged race – if one partner stumbles, both do. 

With record investments, evolving priorities and a dynamic strategic landscape, industry and Defence must work together – not just as suppliers and clients, but as genuine partners in national security.

The verdict on Collab X 2025

Collaboration wasn’t just a theme – it was a call to action. Here’s what attendees had to say:

“Collaboration was a key theme of Collab X. Getting together with other consultants, contractors and clients will build ongoing working relationships.” 

– Tony Rogers, Market Leader Defence, Stantec

“Thank you to Consult Australia for the opportunity to engage with leaders from industry during Collab X 2025... It was fantastic to see and hear the level of interest and engagement in the room.”

– Brigadier Gabrielle Follett, Director General, Estate Service Delivery, Department of Defence

“Great to be part of Collab X this week. Informative and insightful. A great engagement between Defence Australia and industry, in the collab spirit for ‘working better together’.” 

– Tim Nicholls, Senior Director – Defence, Buildings & Maritime, KBR

“Interesting insights over the last couple of days while representing SHAPE Australia at the Defence Collab X 2025 conference in Canberra. As always, some good networking and catching up with industry too.”

– Mitch Flynn, Group Manager, SHAPE Australia

“The future of Defence infrastructure is evolving – faster procurement, bigger projects, and a stronger focus on sustainability and Indigenous partnerships. With $41 billion plus in play, now is the time for strategic, inclusive collaboration. Let’s build a stronger, smarter, and more sustainable Defence estate together.”

– Daniel Joinbee, Managing Director, Gunggandji Aerospace