Australia’s national gathering of growth-area leaders returns in 2026, hosted by the City of Hume. Join mayors, councillors, CEOs, senior executives, policymakers and industry partners for four days of discussion, collaboration and insight focused on delivering the communities Australia needs for the future.
The NGAA Congress is the premier national forum for leaders from Australia’s fastest-growing outer metropolitan communities.
Each year, Congress brings together local government decision-makers, infrastructure partners, policymakers, researchers and practitioners to explore how growth areas can deliver housing, jobs, connectivity and liveability in a coordinated and sustainable way.
Whether you are attending to learn, collaborate or influence national policy, Congress offers unmatched insight into the communities shaping Australia’s future.
NGAA Congress 2026 will focus on how growth-area councils, partners and governments can move beyond planning to delivery - ensuring housing growth is matched with infrastructure, services and opportunity.
Across sessions and site visits, Congress will explore themes including:
The program is designed to combine strategic discussion with practical insights from councils delivering on the ground.
NGAA Congress 2026 is proudly hosted by the City of Hume, one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most dynamic metropolitan regions.
Located in Melbourne’s north, Hume is home to major transport corridors, significant employment precincts and rapidly expanding residential communities. The city exemplifies both the opportunities and challenges facing growth areas across the country.
As host, the City of Hume will showcase its leadership in planning for growth, infrastructure delivery and community development.
Congress opens with a dedicated Emerging Growth Areas Forum, focused on councils and regions navigating early-stage growth challenges and opportunities.
The forum will explore:
This session provides a valuable platform for peer learning and strategic discussion among councils at similar stages of growth.
The full program is available here.
This informal event provides an opportunity to connect with delegates from across Australia ahead of the Congress program.
The site tour will highlight the scale and diversity of economic activity in the City of Hume and surrounding region and showcase the City of Hume’s critical role as a nationally significant manufacturing centre
Site visits will include:
Congress 2026 is the only national forum bringing together leaders from growth area councils, industry and government to focus on the competitive advantage of Australia’s fastest growing communities. The program explores productivity in growth areas, including industrial land supply and use, policy reform, and the role of strong, connected communities in driving economic outcomes.
Exploring the theme 'Our people are our competitive advantage', the day wraps up with our Congress Dinner, with celebrity MC Dilruk Jayasinha.
The Arts and Cultural Practice Site Tour and Roundtable focuses on the role of arts and cultural infrastructure in shaping growth area communities. Held at Bunjil Place, the session brings together practitioners and policy leaders to explore how culture supports social connection, identity and liveability.
A detailed schedule including session times, speakers and site locations is available below.
We’re delighted to offer an exclusive 12% discount off the Flexible Best Available Public Rate for our Superior Queen Rooms, Deluxe King Rooms, and Deluxe Rooms with 2 × Single Beds at both Novotel Melbourne Airport and ibis Styles Melbourne Airport.
NGAA Congress is made possible through the support of our partners across government, infrastructure, planning, technology and advisory sectors.
Sponsor opportunities are available across multiple tiers and provide strong exposure to local government decision-makers from across Australia.
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Novoplan was founded by experienced infrastructure planning practitioners to address the challenges caused by outdated contribution management systems. We provide a purpose-built technology solution that empowers local and state authorities to plan and deliver infrastructure more efficiently - supporting housing supply, economic growth, and thriving communities. Our values shape every aspect of how we work with clients and partners to build better futures
Join leaders from across Australia’s growth areas to shape the next decade of communities.
