The 2024 CONFERENCE CO-CONVENORS

Fiona Goodbody

What is your day job?

I work in the WA Department of Transport’s Urban Mobility Team and lead development of active transport planning and design guidance.

How did you get started in the transport industry?

I was working the publishing industry after university and met a transport professional through volunteer work. He worked in the WA Department of Transport’s Travel Behaviour Change Team and told me about how they designed and delivered programs to enable more people to walk, cycle and catch public transport. As a person who has always relied on cycling and transit, and with a background in social science (including a sociology degree), I was really interested and applied for a role. From that beginning in the travel behaviour change I grew more interested in transport planning and project delivery and moved into bicycle network grants before taking my current role developing planning and design guidance.

Why did you join AITPM?

I have been attending AITPM events since my early career but really got involved as a volunteer on the 2018 National conference in Perth where I helped organise active transport events, including a bike tour and street design workshop that brought multidisciplinary professionals together to reimagine town centre streets across Perth.

I joined AITPM because active transport work connects with pretty much every other transport mode (from transit to motor vehicles to planes, ferries and more!) and discipline (planning, engineering, modelling, behavioural science, public policy, and more) and AITPM provides invaluable opportunities to meet practitioners from across industry who can add insight and inspiration to my work. Crucially, AITPM has helped me avoid a siloed approach to transport and has put me in touch with mentors, diverse thinkers, and resources I wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

Why did you volunteer to be co-convenor for AITPM National Transport Conference Perth?

My main reason was that I have experienced the amazing impacts these conferences can have. The 2018 conference broadened my network and knowledge across the industry in a positive way, and I was excited by the prospect of helping shape such an event. I was also really excited to work with Manoj, Richard and the rest of the committee – many of whom I know through the industry but don’t have the opportunity to work closely with in my day-to-day job.

What skills do you need to be a co-convenor and what are you enjoying about it?

I view the role as one of a facilitator so would say the most important skills are active listening, project management, ability to bring people together, and of course a bit of flexibility. So far I am really enjoying working with Manoj and the rest of the committee and AITPM staff and seeing the way they think and approach things. There is a real diversity, so I am constantly learning and adapting and I’m confident we are going to put on a really engaging, informative and inclusive conference.

Tell us a couple of your favourite places in Perth.

 I promise I don’t have to say this, but one of my favourite places in Perth is the loop around the Swan River starting and finishing around Crown and Optus Stadium - our two main venues.

I’ve been riding my bike around that loop since I was a kid and it offers some of the most unique, serene views of our city and its natural and cultural places.

Another favourite place is Fremantle, especially when you catch the train down and get the coastal views that culminate in Fremantle Port. You can’t beat Freo for sights, food, beaches, and as a launching off point to Rottnest Island.

Manoj Baura

What is your day job?

I am the Manager of Technical Services at the City of Rockingham, a metropolitan local government in Western Australia.  I lead teams of more than 50, delivering road network efficiency and safety for all road users and marine infrastructure. My main job is to strategise and implement actions in accordance with the council’s strategic objectives. The teams I lead are Traffic Services, Design Services, Civil Maintenance and Coastal Engineering.

How did you get started in the transport industry?

Following the completion of my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, I started my career in Traffic Engineering and absolutely loved it. I have worked as a Traffic Engineer is Bangladesh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Melbourne before settling in Perth in 2011.

I had been a Road Safety Auditor for over a decade and led many teams in delivering many large-scale transportation projects. The strategic nature of the industry and the ability to shape the future of the community travel has continuously inspired me contribute. I have undertaken a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree to further strengthen my strategic and leadership capabilities. To get into the broader industry I have gone out of my core skill of Traffic Engineering and ventured into design, construction and maintenance of roads, footpaths, drainage and associated other civil assets.

How long have you been an AITPM member?

I have been involved with AITPM since the beginning of my career in Australia from 2010. I have attended many AITPM events that have immensely helped me in understanding the transport industry in Australia and shaped what I am today. I also had the opportunity to share my knowledge at AITPM events. I became involved in AITPM WA Committee to represent the local governments of WA.  I felt that local governments have lost touch with AITPM and are missing out on great learning and sharing opportunities.

Why did you volunteer to be co-convenor for Perth?

I was approached by the WA Committee president to be the Co-Convenor.  I thought I could bring my strategic and leadership capabilities to the table in delivering the conference. I hope that my direct involvement in AITPM will encourage other local government engagement again which was the main reason I went into the committee.

I was very excited to work with my other co-convenor, Fiona Goodbody, who is an amazing leader and I feel that we complement each other with our skills and we make a great team. Our amazing conference committee are all willing to make the conference a success. I have really enjoyed working with the diverse group of people. It allowed me to work with people that generally I would not have the opportunity to work with. I am truly grateful for the experience - as I am loving every bit of it.

What skills do you need to be a co-convenor and what are you enjoying about it?

The key skills required are leadership, facilitation, strategic and big picture focused, project management and excellent communication skill. I learned a lot about AITPM and how it works from the current WA Committee president, Richard Isted. He guided Fiona and me very well at the beginning to get us settled in the role. I am really enjoying working with Fiona and sometimes, I feel amazed by how much effort everyone is putting as volunteers. I am most excited about the network and relationships I am building through this role.

Tell us a couple of your favourite places in Perth.

I absolutely love the Swan and Canning River foreshores. My favourite spots are near Riverton bridge, Shelley, Mount Pleasant, Applecross and South Perth. I also love the magnificent beauty of the ocean at Shoalwater and Safety Bay in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.