Greener, Smarter, and Better Connected: Recapping the YIPWEA x TPA Lawn Bowls Event

By YIPWEA Blogs posted 08-04-2026 16:41

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The annual YIPWEA x Transport Professionals Association Lawn Bowls event was recently held at Torrensville Bowls Club, bringing together a diverse group of professionals from local government, state government, and private consultancies. The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect across sectors in a relaxed setting, while also engaging with a series of informative and relevant presentations. For many attendees, the venue was a new experience and proved to be well-suited for both networking and informal knowledge sharing.

The event was organised by the YIPWEA and TPA committees, whose efforts ensured a well-coordinated and engaging program. A key feature of the day was the speaker line-up, which covered a range of current and emerging topics within the industry:

John Devney, Principal Transport Engineer at Tonkin consulting, presented on “Planning for Safer Connected Bicycle Networks”. John emphasised the importance of integrated and well-considered planning approaches to support safe and accessible cycling infrastructure, and the need to prioritise connectivity and user safety from the early stages of network planning.

Andrew King, leading engineering professional at City of West Torrens, presented on “Planning Green Infrastructure Delivery”. Andrew’s session focussed on the importance of moving beyond short-term or “token” planting approaches for green assets. With many organisations working towards ambitious canopy cover targets, the session reinforced the need for long-term, strategic planning and a critical review of existing practices to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes.

Bill Zhang, Managing Director at BE Engineering solutions, presented on “AI vision for smarter and safer transport networks”, and provided insights into the growing role of data and artificial intelligence in improving transport system performance and safety outcomes. The presentation highlighted how emerging technologies are being integrated into planning and operational processes.

In addition to the formal presentations, the event facilitated valuable networking opportunities. Attendees were able to connect with peers across different sectors, share experiences, and build professional relationships in an informal environment. For those transitioning between roles or sectors, like me, this event provided an opportunity to exchange insights and learnings with others in similar positions. The event also enabled attendees to reconnect with existing colleagues and industry contacts.

The lawn bowls component of the event added a social element, encouraging interaction and collaboration among participants. Overall, the event continues to establish itself as a valuable annual initiative, supporting connection and knowledge sharing across the industry.

By Shraddha Dhungel, Chair of Young IPWEA SA

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