Events

Join us for West Fest 2026: Designing in Belonging

Posted October 2026
Cumberland Council

Upcoming Events

Cumberland Council
Events

Join us for West Fest 2026: Designing in Belonging

A half-day knowledge exchange hearing from local built environment experts on fostering a sense of belonging in an increasingly dense, digital society.

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Posted October 2026
Cumberland Council

As cities continue to densify, how can we foster a sense of belonging amid digital addiction, a loneliness epidemic, and the rise of AI-driven economies? The fourth annual West Fest will explore the latest research and initiatives from Western Sydney and beyond.

Featuring six rapid 10-minute talks, two panel discussions chaired by Joshua French, Greater Sydney Parklands, and a fully catered networking lunch.

West Fest is an annual half-day knowledge exchange presented by Cumberland City Council, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), and Street Furniture Australia. This year’s program was curated with Landscape Foundation Australia.

IN-PERSON (only 120 seats at Parramatta Square) or LIVESTREAM
Tuesday 10 November 2025, 8.30am-1pm AEDT

This is a free event. AILA members may self record for 4 informal CPD points.

Register now

West Fest 2026 Program

08:30 Registration & Coffee

09:00 Welcome AILA, Cumberland City Council, Deerubbin Land Council

09:20 Talk 1: Designed for Loneliness? Shaping Cities for Connection Xiaoqi Feng, UNSW

09:30 Talk 2: Reflections of Belonging: a case study of the Nepean River Precinct Anne Sacco,
Head of Design, Penrith City Council

09:40 Talk 3: Belonging After Dark James Granter, Cumberland City Council

09:50 Talk 4: Youth & Social Connection Hannah Richardson, University of Canberra

10:00 Morning Tea Break

10:40 Talk 5: Belonging Through Landscape Scott Jackson, CONTEXT

10:50 Talk 6: Social Infrastructure in the Digital Age June Lee Boxsell, Street Furniture Australia

11:00 Panel 1: Q&A with Speakers Chaired by Joshua French, CEO, Greater Sydney Parklands

11:45 Panel 2: Building Belonging in Local Government Sydney Olympic Park Authority,
Cumberland City Council, City of Parramatta, Strathfield Council, Campbelltown City Council

12:30 Networking Lunch

13:00 Ends

Hosts

Cumberland Council

Natalie McEvoy

NSW President, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

Cumberland Council

Christopher Manoski

Manager Place and Engagement, Cumberland City Council

Panel Chair

Cumberland Council

Joshua French

Chief Executive, Greater Sydney Parklands

Speakers

Cumberland Council

Designed for Loneliness? Shaping Cities for Connection

Xiaoqi Feng

Professor of Urban Health and Environment, UNSW School of Population Health

Head-and-shoulders portrait of a smiling woman with light brown hair tied back, wearing a white blouse.

Reflections of Belonging: a case study of the Nepean River Precinct

Anne Sacco

Head of Design, Penrith City Council

Cumberland Council

Belonging After Dark

James Granter

City Economy and Investment, Cumberland City Council

Cumberland Council

Youth & Social Connection 

Hannah Richardson

Researcher, The Schoolyard Greenprint, University of Canberra

Cumberland Council

Belonging Through Landscape

Scott Jackson

Director, CONTEXT

Street Furniture Australia

Social Infrastructure in the Digital Age

June Lee Boxsell

Director of Strategy and Innovation, Street Furniture Australia

Panel Discussion With

Smiling man with dark hair and beard wearing a teal blazer, circular portrait.

Christopher Manoski

Manager Place and Engagement, Cumberland City Council

Cumberland Council

Ben Michel

Strathfield Council

Cumberland Council

Nazanin Azimipanah

City of Parramatta

Smiling older man with blue eyes and balding gray hair, wearing a navy polka-dot shirt against a light wall.

Ian Andrews

Campbelltown City Council

Portrait of a smiling woman with dark hair and pink-framed glasses facing the camera, against a neutral background.

Maria Rigoli

Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Register now

Highlights from West Fest 2025

View Photos
Panel discussion on stage with six seated speakers during a Q&A, audience in foreground; large purple screens behind show speaker profiles and titles.
Professional woman presenting at a black podium in a conference room; a large multi-panel screen behind her displays a slide titled 'Necessary but not Sufficient' with an image of a modern apartment building and a purple panel to the right; audience seated and listening.
Audience at a conference or seminar; an older man with a white beard holds a microphone while seated among other listeners.
Male presenter in a light blazer at a lectern, presenting with blue charts shown on a large screen behind him.
Smiling group of professionals chatting in a hallway; woman in center wears pink lanyard and name badge.
Man with gray curly hair plays a didgeridoo on stage, wearing a red shirt, in front of a pink display and seated audience attendees. (Welcome to Country scene)
Professionals mingle at an indoor networking event, conversing in small groups near a wooden wall.

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