2025 Consult Australia Future Leader Program - Team Projects

Delivered over eight months through expert led sessions, real world projects and industry mentoring, the program builds leadership capability, strengthens professional skills and expands professional networks.

In 2025, participants worked in six teams on a shared project. The goal of the project was to "Develop a data informed approach to identify key areas of housing growth and assess transport infrastructure capacity and limitations". We sincerely thank the team at Infrastructure Australia for their valued support of this important project.

This is the public vote and your opportunity to choose your preferred project for the People’s Choice Award. Your vote plays an important role in recognising and celebrating our future industry leaders.

Voting is open to everyone and limited to one vote per person. The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced at the Consult Australia Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, to be held at the Fullerton Hotel Sydney on Thursday 5 March.

Cast your vote now and help recognise the next generation of leaders shaping our industry.

Bridging the Gap

South-Western Sydney is set to welcome more than 250,000 new residents by 2041 — but transport infrastructure isn’t keeping pace.

This project analyses where housing growth will occur and identifies the transport corridors and projects that matter most to support liveable, connected communities. Using a data-driven assessment, it prioritises key road and rail upgrades needed to reduce travel times, improve access to jobs and airports, and ensure infrastructure delivery keeps pace with growth.

ConnectCo

This project develops a data-driven method to identify where housing growth is occurring in Western Sydney and whether transport infrastructure can support it now and into the future.

Aligned with Infrastructure Australia’s national priorities, it highlights gaps between housing demand and transport capacity over the next 10 and 20 years, helping guide infrastructure investment that improves connectivity, access to jobs, and long-term liveability in high-growth areas.

InfraBalance

Melbourne’s western growth corridors are expanding rapidly, but transport infrastructure is struggling to keep pace.

This project uses population data and an innovative network-modelling approach to identify where housing growth is accelerating and where transport capacity will fall short. By comparing an idealised future transport network with existing and planned infrastructure, it highlights critical gaps and priorities needed to improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and support liveable communities across Melbourne’s outer west.

Liveability League

Australia’s housing targets are being undermined by a growing gap between where homes are needed and where transport infrastructure can support them.

This project introduces a scalable, data-driven framework to identify where transport capacity is constraining housing delivery and liveability. Tested in the Illawarra–Shoalhaven, it highlights rising congestion, worsening affordability, and the urgent need for earlier, coordinated infrastructure investment to unlock housing growth and support more liveable communities.

Northern Connect:

Melbourne’s North Growth Corridor is set to more than double in population, but transport infrastructure is not keeping pace.

This project analyses housing growth and transport capacity across key northern suburbs, identifying where congestion, long travel times and poor public transport access risk undermining liveability. Using a new Liveability Scorecard, it prioritises targeted road, rail and bus investments needed to support growth and deliver more connected, affordable communities.

The Road Home

Greater Hobart is facing growing housing pressure, but transport infrastructure is already nearing its limits.

This project uses a scalable, data-driven model to assess whether transport capacity can support future housing growth and to identify where investment is most urgently needed. Tested in Greater Hobart, it highlights emerging congestion risks, gaps in public transport coverage, and priority corridors where early action can help unlock housing supply and protect long-term liveability.

Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane

“This program builds real leadership capability through practical tools, diverse perspectives and collaborative project work that genuinely strengthens how you lead. The mix of expert presenters and hands-on learning makes it an inspiring and valuable experience for anyone wanting to grow in the business and leadership side of our industry.”

Brendan Walton, Arcadis
Chartered Principal Civil Engineer & Team Leader

“The Future Leaders Program was an incredibly rewarding experience, especially the strong connections formed with people I still work alongside today. Each session delivered practical insights I continue to apply in my role, making it a great choice for anyone looking to grow both personally and professionally.”

Mary Hadjiangeli, SMEC
Team Leader – Rail Structures

“This program provides emerging professionals with practical skills, self-awareness and confidence to thrive in the consulting industry. The engaging sessions and outstanding facilitators left me inspired and equipped to apply what I learned directly to my work.”

Dean Garroway, Jacobs
Senior Civil Engineer

Join us and help shape the next generation of industry leaders