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AGENDA AT A GLANCE
Session | Room | 2026/7/8 morning | 2026/7/8 afternoon | 2026/7/8 evening | 2026/7/9 morning | 2026/7/9 afternoon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Industry High-level Breakfast (Invited only) | TBC | 07:30-08:30 | - | - | - | - |
Strategic Summit | Goldfields Theatre Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | 09:10-12:15 | 14:00-18:05 | - | 09:10-12:25 | 14:00-16:55 |
Unlocking Wind Capital Forum | Eureka 3 Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | 09:20-12:50 | - | - | - | - |
Regional Development Forum | Eureka 3 Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | - | 14:30-17:40 | - | - | - |
Happy Hour | Exhibition Bays via Door 9/10 Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | - | - | 18:00-19:00 | - | - |
Gala Dinner | Melbourne Room 1 Level 2, Convention Centre | - | - | 19:00-21:30 | - | - |
WindGrid Transmission Forum | Eureka 3 Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | - | - | - | 09:00-12:53 | - |
Offshore WindTECH Summit | Exhibition Bays via Door 9/10 Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | 10:00-12:25 | 14:05-17:05 | - | - | - |
Onshore WindNEXT Summit | Exhibition Bays via Door 9/10 Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | - | - | - | 09:30-12:40 | - |
Women in Net-Zero Future | Exhibition Bays via Door 9/10 Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | - | - | - | 10:00 – 12:00 | - |
Start-up Innovation Challenge | Exhibition Bays via Door 9/10 Ground Floor, Exhibition Centre | 10:30-12:00 | - | - | - | - |
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Connecting Regions. Driving Green Growth. Empowering People.
Australia's wind build-out is transforming regional economies, communities and infrastructure. Regional Development Forum brings together governments, developers, landholders, communities and workforce leaders to explore how regions can attract new investment, strengthen local supply chains, create skilled jobs and unlock long-term economic opportunities, ensuring renewable energy development delivers lasting value to the communities and regions powering Australia's energy transition.
2026 Agenda Review
Afternoon - 8 July 2026
14:50 - 14:55
(05 mins)
Forum Opening
Chair:
Stephanie Bashir
Founder & CEO
Nexa Advisory
14:55 - 15:35
(40 mins)
[Panel] Sustainable Development - Aligning Environmental Stewardship with Economic Growth
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Centers on environmental sustainability challenges in expanding wind and clean energy projects.
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Discusses strategies to mitigate ecological impacts, biodiversity concerns, and land use conflicts.
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Explores the policy frameworks and best practices that align economic growth with environmental stewardship.
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Emphasis on long-term sustainability and community well-being.
Moderator:
Tim Chan
Environmental Advisor
RES Australia
Panelists:
Montana de Meillon
Acting Director, Renewables Regulatory Practice Section
National Environmental Protection Agency
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Brian Stevens
Board Member
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC)
Michael Williams
Sustainability Superintendent
Bellevue Gold
Catherine Way
Director of Development
OX2
Afternoon Break
16:15 - 16:55
(40 mins)
[Panel] How Clean Energy Infrastructure Connects Regional Communities to Growth
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Focus on the role of infrastructure (grid, storage, transport) in enabling clean energy development and regional integration.
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Examines how infrastructure investments facilitate access to energy markets and support community development.
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Highlights the connectivity between energy projects and regional economic opportunities beyond energy generation.
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Addresses technical and planning challenges in linking remote and regional communities.
Moderator:
Kellie O'Callaghan
Chair
Regional Development Australia Gippsland
Panelists:
Michael Johnston
Chief Executive Officer
Committee for Geelong
Andrew Bray
National Director
RE-Alliance
Nils Hay
Chief Executive Officer
Mid West Development Commission
Allison Hendricks
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Simply Stakeholders
Jessica Kite
Head of Community and Regional Development
Squadron Energy
16:55 - 17:35
(40 mins)
[Panel] Building Australia's Clean Energy Workforce – Skills, Safety & Scale
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Mapping the Workforce Challenge
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Regional Skills Pipelines and Training Hubs
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Safety and Standards at Scale
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Transition Pathways for the Existing Workforce
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Industry, Government, and Skills Councils Collaboration
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A Regional Economic Opportunity
Moderator:
Sara Rhodes-Ward
Regional Director, Gippsland, Regional Development Victoria
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, Victorian Government
Panelists:
Anthea Middleton
Chief Executive Officer
Powering Skills Organisation
James Montgomery
Chief Executive Officer
TAFE Gippsland
17:35 - 17:40
(05 mins)