Roads Australia to become Transport Australia after historic vote

Roads Australia (RA) will change its name to Transport Australia following a historic vote at its Annual General Meeting in Melbourne today, reflecting a bold new chapter and commitment to a future-focused and connected transport system.

For more than 73 years, RA has championed collaboration, innovation, and policy reform. Transport Australia signals an expanded vision: a truly integrated, userfocused transport system that connects communities, enables economic growth, and supports national productivity through smart investment.

“This is more than a name change. It’s a statement of purpose. Our industry has evolved and we have too. The transport network is an integrated system of roads, rail, ports, and active transport that underpins Australia’s productivity and liveability,” Aneetha de Silva, Chair of Roads Australia, said.

Roads are part of a broader mobility ecosystem and connects to rail, freight, active transport, and increasingly, to the digital layer that powers electric, connected and autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making.

RA CEO Ehssan Veiszadeh said Transport Australia will push for a national conversation on long-term planning and investment for an integrated transport system.

“We will bring industry and government together to drive policy reform, champion innovation, and ensure our transport system is fit for the future. Expect to hear more from us in the months ahead as we launch new initiatives and amplify the voice of our members,” Ehssan Veiszadeh said.

Following a ballot comprising four strong candidates from the design engineering consulting membership, Kate West, Chief Officer, Business and Markets, APAC at Arup and Mark McManamny, CEO Australia and New Zealand at AECOM have both been appointed to the Board.

Aneetha de Silva said the Director vote attracted a high level of engagement, with more than 60 per cent of voting members taking part in the ballot.

Roads Australia’s unique strength is that its Board brings together CEO/ C-Suite level leaders across the public and private sector.

 

• Aneetha de Silva, Chair
• Silje Troseth, Deputy Chair, and Vice President APAC, Q-Free ASA
• Alison Close, Deputy Chair and Partner, Clayton Utz
• Bede Noonan, Treasurer, and Chief Executive Officer, ACCIONA Australia and New Zealand
• Jim Betts, Secretary, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts.
• Kevin Devlin, Director-General, Victoria Infrastructure Delivery Authority
• Josh Murray, Secretary, Transport for NSW
• Sally Stannard, Director-General, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
• Nicole Green, Group Executive, Australian Markets, Transurban
• Pedro Vicente, Chief Executive Officer, CIMIC
• Scott Power, Chief Executive Officer, BMD

The change to Transport Australia will come into effect in early 2026.