About Us

The National Asset Centre of Excellence (NACOE) is an initiative of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO), which is broadening to include partnerships with industry.

90+

Applied Research Projects Delivered

10+

Years Of Strategic Collaboration

100M+

In Potential Savings Identified

We deliver high-impact, evidence-based research that improves the performance and resilience of Queensland’s transport network.

Now and into the future.

For over a decade, the National Asset Centre of Excellence (NACOE) has delivered measurable improvements in how Queensland plans, builds and manages its transport infrastructure. Established as a partnership between the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO), NACOE has evolved into a national leader in applied research, driving real-world outcomes across resilience, productivity, safety, sustainability, asset performance and technology.
Research supporting smarter investment
Our research has supported smarter investment, improved asset longevity, and enhanced public value through the consistent application of international best practice tailored to Queensland conditions. With a proven record of turning strategic research into implemented change, NACOE continues to support government and industry address emerging challenges—whether through trialing next-generation materials, optimising maintenance strategies, or embedding sustainability across the asset lifecycle. Today, NACOE stands not just as a research program, but as a delivery partner for government, committed to resilient infrastructure and continuous improvement. NACOE projects are scoped, delivered and implemented each year with a clear mandate: to generate measurable economic, environmental and operational benefits for Queensland’s road network. We welcome new project ideas and partnership proposals that support this mission. To contribute to the future of resilient infrastructure, contact us at info@nacoe.com.au.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

A National Model for Collaborative Transport Innovation That Delivers Lasting Impact

Explore 10 years of HIghlights

Cost Savings

NACOE delivers proven economic benefits to the Queensland road network by enabling cost-effective, high-performing pavements, refined asset management practices, and more efficient approaches to structure management, network operations and road safety. The result is smarter infrastructure investment and better outcomes for Queenslanders. 

Collaboration

By partnering with government agencies, universities, and industry, NACOE maximises the value of research funding, draws on world-class expertise, reduces duplication, and ensures shared ownership of results—making implementation smoother and more impactful. 

Capability Development

NACOE strengthens capability across the sector by building professional expertise, equipping regional teams to apply research insights, and embedding innovation into day-to-day practice—ensuring the full value of findings is realised. 

Implementation & Influence

Research is only valuable when it delivers change. NACOE ensures that findings are implemented across Queensland’s transport network and actively shares knowledge with other jurisdictions—amplifying the benefits nationally. 

Expertise That Translates Research Into Real-World Impact

The program's success is driven by the expertise and dedication of our teams. Below are the members who provide strategic direction and operational management for the NACOE program.
Dennis Walsh
Chief Engineer - Engineering & Technology | Infrastructure Management and Delivery
Jason Sprott
Executive Director Ports and Airports
Richard Yeo
Chief Operating Officer
Stephen Mallows
Acting Regional Director (Metropolitan) - Program Delivery and Operations | Infrastructure Management and Delivery
Joe Grobler
Principal Engineer, Safer Smarter Infrastructure
Narelle Dobson
Director (Strategic Technical Initiatives) Engineering and Technology | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division
Zoe Cann McDonald
Senior Advisor (Office of the Deputy Chief Engineer)
Amy Hart
Senior Professional, Project Management Office
Rosy Interrigi
Senior Professional
Andrew Causley
Andrew Golding
Director (Transport System Asset Management)
David Green
Principal Engineer ( Asset Performance)
James Grenfell
Principal Engineer (Sustainability and Materials Performance)
June Lense
Business and Engagement Manager (Structures)
Meera Creagh
Principal Engineer (Pavement Rehabilitation)
Mike Pickering
Director (Pavements Research and Innovation)
Noel Dwyer
Rod Adams
Principal Engineer (Asphalt)
Sam Afkar
Principal Engineer (Safer Smarter Infrastructure)
Tatiana Sanchez Castano
Principal Engineer (Asset Performance)
Tyrone Toole
National Technical Leader - Asset Systems, Asset Performance
Upali Adikaram
Principal Engineer (Pavements and Materials Development)

Governance

NACOE is committed to strong, transparent governance that reflects the highest standards of accountability, integrity and public value. We operate in accordance with all relevant legislation, and policies ensuring that our work consistently meets the expectations of our government, industry and research partners and delivers nationally significant infrastructure research with direct application to Queensland’s transport network.

Program Governance 

NACOE is overseen by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and the National Transport Research Organisation. Committee members provide strategic oversight and expert guidance, ensuring that projects are aligned with state priorities and deliver tangible outcomes. All members serve in an advisory capacity and contribute their expertise on a voluntary basis.

Interested in becoming a researcher for NACOE?

Transport and Population Research Network: The aim of the TPRN is to deliver on the grand challenge of urban infrastructure: to stimulate the renewal and development of transport systems to enhance and sustain continued urban growth, creating cities with long-term sustainable and integrated transport systems and technology. The network will also continue to develop and deliver a world-class training program to address a critical skills shortage in transport planning, transport engineering, and spatial and temporal data in transport and population.
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