The Townsville Defence Forum will be a localised policy-driven forum. The event will focus on fostering relationships between government, PRIMEs & SMEs to deliver Australia’s sovereign capability and act as a driver for the region’s economy. It will assess how best SMEs can enter supply chains, look at current and emerging opportunities for contracting with Defence, and analyse the skilling requirements that will enable the region to thrive as a future Defence Industry hub.
2025 Forum Topics:
- Townsville’s role as Australia’s Army capital
- North Queensland sustainment operations
- Workforce and population dynamics
- Supply chain access for small and medium businesses
- Technology and innovation integration
- Regional economic impact of increased Defence investment
Sponsors
Lunch Sponsor
Morning Tea Sponsor
Coffee Cart Sponsor
Charity Partner
Exhibitors
Speakers
Senator the Hon Nita Green
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia
Erin Kiernan
Manager – Defence Industry Hub – North Queensland, Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government
Stuart Blackwell
Director,
QDSA
Professor Mick Reilly OAM
Research Division,
James Cook University
Ross Thompson
Managing Director,
PeopleIN
Buzz Sarlin
President,
AIDN Queensland
Drew Penny
General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Port of Townsville
Dean Deighton
Group Head – Northern Australia,
AI Group
Rhys Hannon
Group Defence Manager,
Symal Group
AGENDA
Wednesday 20th August
09:10
Welcome from the ADM
Kylie Leonard, Associate Publisher, Australian Defence Magazine
09:20
OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair
09:30
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ADDRESS | A vision for North and Far North Queensland
- What are the strategic and economic aims for the North of Queensland?
- How can Defence contribute to these?
- Pacific island and wider regional engagement
Senator the Hon Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia
09:55
KEYNOTE | Army’s operational readiness and regional capability in Townsville
- Enhancing joint and allied interoperability
- Developing littoral capability
- Expanding sustainment operations
10:20
Welcome to Morning Tea
Stuart Blackwell, Director, QDSA
10:25
Morning Tea & Networking Break
11:00
KEYNOTE | Sustaining Force Projection: Joint Logistic Unit NQ’s Role in North Queensland’s Defence Posture
- Logistics support in North Queensland environmental and geographic conditions
- Enhancing logistics capability through modernised distribution, warehouses and sustainment
- Opportunities for local industry to become part of Defence’s supply chain
- Future infrastructure and capability upgrades for JLU NQ
11:25
Supporting Defence Operations Through Logistics and Health Innovation
- Supply chain resilience and strengthening logistics systems to enhance ADF operational effectiveness
- Integrating digital health technologies and initiatives addressing regional health challenges
- DSTG programs supporting regional defence capability and SME engagement
11:50
PANEL | North Queensland innovation: Maximising local contributions to Defence
- Building a connected innovation ecosystem
- Strengthening ties between local SMEs, academic institutions and defence
- Challenges operating in regional Queensland
Professor Mick Reilly, Research Division, James Cook University
Moderator: Stuart Blackwell, Director, QDSA
12:30
Welcome to Lunch
Daniel Hussey, Project Director, Symal Group
12:35
Lunch
13:30
PANEL | Addressing workforce challenges for North Queensland Defence ecosystem
- Attraction and retention in North Queensland
- Initiatives to grow local talent pipelines
- Workforce support and regional liveability
Maree Butler, Director Trades and Transport, TAFE Queensland North Region
Buzz Sarlin, President, AIDN Queensland
Ross Thomspon, Managing Director, PeopleIN
Moderator: TBC
14:10
Expanding regional maintenance and sustainment capability
- Establishing maintenance support centres throughout regional northern and western Australia
- Geographic, logistical and workforce obstacles
- How does the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence support sustainment operations?
Senior Representative, Rheinmetall Defence Australia
14:35
PANEL | Advanced Manufacturing in North Queensland
- Assessing existing advanced manufacturing capabilities in the region
- Gaps, opportunities and pathways for growth and expansion
- Defence industry requirements
- Training and education initiatives
Dean Deighton, Group Head – Northern Australia, AI Group
Moderator: TBC
15:15
Afternoon Tea & Networking Break
15:45
Helicopter Operations and Sustainment
- Maximising the performance of the current Chinook and Apache fleet
- AI and predictive maintenance
- Opportunities for local to businesses to access supply chains
- Preparing for the delivery of AH-64E Apache helicopters
Senior Representative, Boeing Defence Australia
16:10
PANEL | Using increased Defence expenditure as a catalyst for enhanced economic growth
- How is defence driving economic activity and infrastructure growth?
- What are the benefits for local communities?
- How is local business adapting to increased defence opportunities?
Drew Penny, General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Port of Townsville
Claudia Brumme-Smith, CEO, Townsville Enterprise (TBC)
Or
Chris McDougall, Director – Regional Development and Investment, Townsville Enterprise (TBC)
Moderator: TBC
16:50
Closing Remarks from the Chair
17:00
End of Conference & Networking Drinks
Pricing
Department of Defence/ADF attend for free. Please register for ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing [email protected].
The SME rate applies to companies with fewer than 200 employees and are not part of a larger group/ parent company
Local SME rate applies to Queensland registered organisations employing fewer than 50 people who aren’t part of a larger group/ parent company
| Packages | Standard |
| Standard Industry Rate | $1,595 + GST |
| SME/ Academia/ Govt | $1,195 + GST |
| Local SME | $795 + GST |
Townsville Meet the Buyer | NQ Supply Chain
Meet with North Queensland’s major contractors to promote your capability and learn about opportunities in their supply chains.
This event will be delivered in a ‘speed dating’ format to meet with up to three major contractors of your choice for one-on-one, 10-minute appointments. Use your appointment to:
- promote your existing and growing capability
- clarify procurement processes
- discuss upcoming work opportunities
- provide a copy of your capability statement/quad chart
Defence buyers include: Boeing, Rheinmetall, CPB, Icon, Duratec, Shamrock Civil, and more.
Date: Tuesday 19 August 2025
From: 7am
Location: The Ville Resort and Casino, Townsville
ReefWorks Showcase at the ADM Forum
Join us at the Townsville Defence Forum for an exclusive showcase at AIMS ReefWorks, highlighting the unique capabilities of the ReefWorks Test Range for emerging marine technology. ReefWorks is part of the North Queensland test & evaluation ecosystem, providing unparalleled tropical marine test and evaluation capabilities for Australia’s uncrewed systems and advanced sensing technology industries.
Highlights Include:
- Live uncrewed systems testing in the payload test tank (National Sea Simulator)
- Uncrewed marine systems technology undergoing test & evaluation on-water and in-air alongside the ReefWorks operations centre.
- Tour of ReefWorks supporting infrastructure and capabilities
Participants must wear enclosed shoes and are encouraged to bring a hat & water bottle.
Date: Thursday 21 August 2025
Time: Meet at the Ville foyer 745am for an 8am departure. Anticipated return time of 1230pm
Point of Contact: Erin Kiernan – [email protected] or Melanie Olsen, Reefworks – [email protected]
Limited tickets: Please register no more than 2 people per organisation.
ConnectMe
ConnectMe • Networking enhanced
All of our events utilise a bespoke dynamic smartphone app, ConnectMe – which guarantees attendees a premium event experience. Logins are sent prior to the conference commencement allowing you to check who’s attending, schedule in meetings and catch ups, participate in live Q+A and interactive polls, and much more. ConnectMe ensures you never miss a beat prior, during and post event.
Venue
The Ville Resort-Casino
Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville QLD 4810
(07) 4722 2333
www.the-ville.com.au
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION RATE
The Ville Resort – Casino is pleased to offer a special event rate* for conference attendees for the nights of the 19-21 August 2025 inclusive.
To secure this rate;
- Enter the special booking link, click here
- Add Code and select Rate Access/Corporate Code
- Enter ADMTDS
- Update Guest & Rooms to search for availability
Ardo Hotel is pleased to offer a special event 20% discount rate* for conference attendees for the nights of the 19-21 August 2025 inclusive.
To secure this rate;
- Enter the special booking link, click here
- This will display the rate and event dates
- Select your required stay dates and click on Apply
* Room availability and rates are subject to availability. Book early to avoid disappointment.