Melbourne Dinner 2026
About this Event
Melbourne provides a dynamic backdrop for one of the industry’s most energetic networking environments. With a large and diverse professional community, the APGA Dinner brings together a broad cross-section of the sector in one room.This event also coincides with the Melbourne Mini Seminar creating a valuable opportunity to attend both and maximise your time in Melbourne. It’s an ideal chance to combine technical insight with high-quality networking — engaging across two complementary industry touchpoints.The venue sets the tone for a vibrant and engaging evening, where conversations flow and connections are made at every turn. It’s an opportunity to step into a room full of industry leaders, emerging professionals, and key decision-makers — all there to connect.Join us in Melbourne to be part of the conversation and make the most of a week that brings the industry together.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Michael Brear
Professor, Department of Mechanical EngineeringMichael has worked extensively with industry and government. His work with the private sector has included projects with world leading manufacturers and others across energy, transport and heavy industry. His work with government has included advisory on hydrogen, network regulation and energy market design. Michael is also currently the Director of the Net Zero Australia Project, which is a partnership between the University of Queensland (UQ), Princeton University and the University of Melbourne.Michael is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering, the Combustion Institute and Engineers Australia. He previously established and coordinated the University’s multi-disciplinary degree, the Master of Energy Systems, from 2012 to 2016 and then served as Director of the Melbourne Energy Institute from 2016 to 2025. Prior to commencing at the University of Melbourne, Michael worked for ICI Australia (now Orica), and then undertook graduate studies at Cambridge University and post-doctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology..
Mini-SeminarThis mini seminar will showcase two practical case studies from APA, highlighting the technical, operational and stakeholder considerations involved in managing pipeline assets in complex environments.
Across the session, presenters will explore how pipeline operators manage risk when live gas pipelines are exposed, modified or relocated as part of third-party works and major infrastructure projects. The presentations will demonstrate how careful planning, engineering assessment, inspection, remediation and stakeholder coordination can support safe outcomes while maintaining continuity of gas supply.
T01 Re-Coating ProgramPresented by Merna Sery, APA
Third-party works within pipeline easements, including road upgrades, crossings and service installations, often require excavation around live gas pipelines. While these activities introduce additional risks by altering loading conditions and disturbing coatings, backfill and compaction, they also provide a valuable opportunity for direct inspection of pipeline assets.This presentation will explore a recent APA T1 pipeline project where exposed pipeline sections were visually inspected and assessed using non-destructive testing. Defects identified at girth welds were assessed against current standards and successfully remediated using welded mechanical sleeves, restoring structural integrity and providing long-term protection without requiring a pipeline shutdown.The case study demonstrates how integrating defect remediation with third-party crossing works can reduce asset risk, avoid unnecessary outages and support the continued safe operation of critical pipeline infrastructure.
About the presenter
Merna Sery graduated from RMIT University in 2004 with a degree in Telecommunications and Electrical Engineering. With more than 20 years of industry experience, she has built a strong reputation for reliability, dedication and consistent delivery across stay-in-business programs, operational maintenance and third-party protection projects.Merna spent nearly 12 years at Jemena, where she began her career in the gas industry and contributed to key infrastructure projects, including the Banana and Rolleston Compressor Stations. She has since spent close to seven years at APA, where she plays a key role in supporting third-party and validation dig projects across Victoria and Western Australia.A notable highlight of Merna’s career was presenting at the APGA Convention in 2015 on the Fitzroy River Scouring Mitigation Project. More recently, she presented at the ENA/APGA Seminar in 2024 on improvements in contractor engagement and alignment between third-party customer engagement and project processes.
T16 Webster Street Pipeline Relocation ProjectPresented by Jay Sahasrabudhe, APA
The Dandenong to West Melbourne Natural Gas Pipeline, known as T016, is a critical APA transmission asset supplying Melbourne’s inner suburbs and supporting the Western and Northern transmission systems. Originally commissioned in 1970, the DN750 mainline is licensed to AS 2885.3:2022.As part of the Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project, approximately 250 metres of the pipeline was relocated to enable the Webster Street level crossing removal in Dandenong. APA successfully delivered the end-to-end, multi-phased relocation, including design, procurement, construction and commissioning, while maintaining uninterrupted gas supply to metropolitan Melbourne.Completed in March 2026, the project was delivered in a highly constrained suburban environment and required complex civil and mechanical works, continuous cutover operations and close coordination with multiple stakeholders. Strong risk management and engagement were central to maintaining gas supply security, workforce safety, regulatory compliance and minimal community impact.The successful relocation supports the broader government program to remove a high-risk level crossing, improve traffic flow and enhance safety along one of Melbourne’s busiest corridors.
About the presenter
Jay Sahasrabudhe is a Mechanical Engineer and MBA with more than 20 years of experience in project delivery across the utilities, oil and gas industries, including more than seven years with APA.His expertise spans critical asset enhancement projects, pipeline integrity, project management, field leadership and construction management. Jay currently works as a Project Manager within APA’s Gas Operations team, where he leads the delivery of complex infrastructure projects focused on safety, reliability and continuity of gas supply.
DATE & TIME
6 August 2026Registration for Mini Seminar 4.30pm concluding at 5.00pmDinner Registration 6.00pm conclufding at 10.00pm
TICKET SALES CLOSE
Registrations close on Thursday 30 June 2026 . Make sure to book early so you don’t miss the opportunity to join us.
TICKETS AVAILABLE
Member Tickets
APGA Members are eligible for member pricing on all APGA events. Please ensure you select the Member ticket type at checkout to receive the correct rate.Non-Member Tickets
Non-members are very welcome to attend APGA events, but must purchase the Non-Member ticket type.Young Pipeliners Forum (YPF) Tickets
YPF members are encouraged to attend APGA Networking Events and are offered a discounted YPF ticket.
However, the following conditions apply:
- Only 10 YPF tickets are available per event.
- Tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- YPF members may only claim one discounted ticket per event type per year, unless additional YPF tickets remain after initial registrations.
- In cases of oversubscription, APGA will review YPF registrations to ensure fair allocation.
Table Bookings & Guest Details
When booking for the APGA Dinner Series, you can reserve either a table of 8 or a table of 10, depending on the city. Please refer to your selected event to confirm the table size available at that location.For table bookings, we ask that you provide the names of your guests attending the event. If you already have these details, you can include them during the checkout process.If you don’t have all guest names at the time of booking, no problem — our team will follow up with you after purchase to collect the required information.Please note that tickets within a table booking are transferable, so you can update attendees if your plans change.
Promotional Codes for Owner/Lead Members
Owner and Lead Members are reminded to use their promotional code at checkout to activate their eligible discounts. Please ensure you enter this code before completing your booking. If you have any trouble please contact us directly and we can assist in setting up the registration.
CATRING
Guests will enjoy a plated dinner accompanied by a drinks package, included as part of the event experience.
ATTENDEE LIST
Please consider allowing us to include your name on the attendee list when prompted. With recent privacy changes, your permission is required. Sharing your name helps others understand who is attending and supports a more connected, informed, and engaging event experience.
The attendee list will be updated weekly.
Please note: Following recent changes to privacy laws, we can only publish attendees who have given permission.
SPONSOR INFORMATION
We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsor Nacap and Spiecapag. Their support plays a vital role in bringing the APGA Dinner Series to life, creating valuable opportunities for connection, conversation, and engagement across the industry.These events would not be possible without their continued commitment, and their contribution helps ensure each evening delivers a meaningful and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
CONTACT INFORMATIONFor more information, please contact:
- Gayle Bower – [email protected]
- Rachel Carn – [email protected]
EVENT SURVEY
An anonymous event survey will be distributed following the event. Your feedback helps us improve future APGA events. If you would like to share feedback more directly with us, please feel free to email [email protected].
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
The APGA Cancellation and Refund Policy continues to apply for this event. Should you have any questions or need assistance regarding cancellations or refunds, please click here, or contact [email protected].
APGA Events and Refund Policy
APGA CODE OF CONDUCTAll APGA events are governed by the APGA Code of Conduct, which outlines our shared commitment to respectful, inclusive, and professional behaviour. We ask all attendees to familiarise themselves with the Code before attending.
Link to APGA Code of Conduct
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 135.00 to AUD 2382.00
