This year’s NGAA Congress is shaping up tobe one of the most comprehensive in our history. Following our major $2 billionwin on housing-enabling infrastructure in the 2026-27 Federal Budget, weare shifting our focus to productivity, industrial land and data centres.
The 2026 Congress is ideal for those withparticular interest in growth areas’ economic and community development. Electedmembers, executives and officers are all welcome. This is a public event opento NGAA members, other LGAs and industry.
Thursday 6th August is ourmain Congress day. Sessions covers:
1. The nationally significant role of growthareas’ industrial land, with a high level view of Australia’s industrial andmanufacturing outlook and new software giving councils a deep understanding ofthe industrial land use and economic activity happening across theirmunicipalities.
2. The role of data centres in growth areaeconomies. This session will bring together local government representativeswith direct experience of data centre developments and industry providers whocan share current best practice. Growth areas are set to become national, ifnot global, leaders in data centres, and now is the moment to shape mutuallybeneficial outcomes for councils, industry and communities.
3. NGAA’s key advocacy priority:recognition within federal planning, reporting and funding programs of theunique needs and challenges of greenfield growth areas. We will explore thisfrom an advocacy perspective and from a residential development perspective,including a deeper dive into the Terralytics data platform, which provides themost realistic view of housing, population growth and the infrastructure neededto support it.
4. How we make the most of our greatestasset: our diverse communities. We will explore the role diverse communitiescan play in civic and community decision making and leadership, and thecritical role of local government in building a sense of belonging.
We are also delighted to welcome ShadowMinister for Urban Infrastructure Senator James McGrath, who will share hisreflections on the need for coordinated, place-based infrastructure policy forgrowing communities.
The day will be topped off with ourmulticultural dinner, featuring guest MC Dilruk Jayasinha.
Don’t forget our site tours showcasing thebest in advanced manufacturing in Hume City Council on Wednesday 5thAugust, and the best in arts and cultural facilities on Friday 7thAugust at the City of Casey.
This is an incredible program designedspecifically for growth areas. Registrations close on 28 July.
