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AGENDA AT A GLANCE
Session | Room | 2026/7/8 morning | 2026/7/8 afternoon | 2026/7/9 morning | 2026/7/9 afternoon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strategic Summit | Goldfields Theatre | 09:10-12:15 | 14:00-18;05 | 09:10-12:25 | 14:00-16:55 |
Unlocking Wind Capital Forum | Eureka 3 | 09:40-12:50 | - | - | - |
Regional Development Forum | Eureka 3 | - | 14:30-17:40 | - | - |
WindGrid Transmission Forum | Eureka 3 | - | - | 09:00-12:05 | 14:00-17:05 |
Offshore WindTECH Summit | Exhibition Bays via door 8 | 10:00-12:25 | 14:05-18:05 | - | - |
Onshore WindNEXT Summit | Exhibition Bays via door 8 | - | - | 09:30-12:40 | - |
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FORUM
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Connecting Regions, Driving Green Growth, Empowering People.
The 3rd annual Regional Development Forum stands as a shared initiative embedded within the Future Fuels APAC, the Australia Wind Energy Summit, and the Carbon Capture APAC Summit. It explores how clean energy can drive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and workforce empowerment in regional communities. Through panels on infrastructure, sustainable development, and the next generation of energy workers, the forum offers practical insights for policymakers, developers, and community leaders shaping Australia’s regional energy future.
2025 Forum Partners:
Morning - 18 July Friday
14:30 - 17:40
(000 mins)
Call for 2025 Regional Development Forum Partners
please send your interest to au@leader-associates.com
14:30 - 14:35
(05 mins)
Forum Opening
14:35 - 14:55
(20 mins)
Partner Remarks
14:55 - 15:35
(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.
Afternoon Break
16:15 - 16:55
(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.
Mark Say
Director, Renewables Regulatory Practice Section
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water
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
Anthea Middleton
Chief Executive Officer
Powering Skills Organisation
17:35 - 17:40
(05 mins)
Forum Closing
Stream A
Morning - 11 July Thursday
09:00 - 12:15
(150 mins)
Leading case Study: Hunter
Alice Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
Committee for the Hunter
Chairpersons:
09:00 - 09:25
(25 mins)
Welcome Address and Understanding the Hunter’s Cultural and Industrial Context
Alice Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
Committee for the Hunter
09:25 - 09:45
(20 mins)
[Keynote] Role of the Hunter in NSW’s Energy Transition
Andrew Kingsmill
Executive Director, Network Planning & Technical Advisory
EnergyCo NSW
09:45 - 10:10
(25 mins)
[Keynote] Industry Cultivation: Developing Local Skilled Workforces
Grahame Irwin
Australian Government Employment Facilitator, Hunter and Surrounds
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
10:10 - 10:50
(40 mins)
[Panel] Clean Energy Shared Infrastructure: Hunter Hydrogen Infrastructure Masterplan
Moderator:
Alex Dronoff
Chief Executive Officer
Fichtner Australia and New Zealand
Panelist:
Joshua Moran
Chief Commercial Officer
CONEXA Infrastructure Partners
Boris Novak
Industry Advisor
HunterNet Co‑Operative
Tim Stock
Director, Hydrogen and Clean Energy
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Dr Joss Kesby
Business Development Manager
The University of Newcastle
Morning Coffee Break
11:20 - 11:45
(25 mins)
[Star Project Roadshow] Renewable Hydrogen Case
Ryan Willemsen-Bell
General Manager, Future Fuels
Origin Energy
11:45 - 12:10
(25 mins)
[Keynote] Floating Technology and Design Solutions for the Hunter
Liping Yu
Technical Director
Equinor
12:10 - 12:15
(05 mins)
Closing Address by Committee for the Hunter
Afternoon - 11 July
14:00 -16:30
(150 mins)
Leading case Study: Pilbara
Kyle Olinga
Renewable Technical Energy Advisor
The Australia Gas Association
Chairpersons:
14:00 - 14:20
(20 mins)
[Keynote] Strategic Industry in Western Australia’s Pilbara
Chris Schooling
Director Pilbara
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, WA
14:20 - 14:40
(20 mins)
[Keynotes] Commercial Viability of Clean Energy in Regional Mining and Resource Extraction Industries
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From the perspective of industry and community
Rebecca Tomkinson
Chief Executive Officer
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia
14:40 - 15:20
(40 mins)
[Keynote] Intra- and Inter-regional Connectivity through Green Energy
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Green Power Networks and Community Relations
Darren Hill
EGM Business Development & Strategy
Horizon Power
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Port Infrastructure Considerations to Make Industry and Clean Energy Export/Import Prosperous
Ash Puri
Customer Manager, Energy & Chemicals
Pilbara Ports Authority
Stream B
Morning - 11 July
08:55 - 12:45
Leading case Study: Gippsland
Chairpersons:
Bodye Darvill
Director Emerging Industries
Latrobe Valley Authority
Chris Buckingham
Chief Executive Officer
Latrobe Valley Authority
08:55 - 09:00
(05 mins)
Host State Welcome Address
Hon. Gayle Tierney MP
Minister for Skills & TAFE, Minister for Regional Development
Victorian Government
09:00 - 09:25
(25 mins)
Welcome Address by Co-host and Understanding Gippsland’s Cultural and Industrial Context
Chris Buckingham
Chief Executive Officer
Latrobe Valley Authority
09:25 - 09:35 (10 mins)
[Keynote] Supporting a Sustainable Development: Investing in Economic Opportunities to Support the Transition
Kellie O'Callaghan
Chair
Regional Development Australia Gippsland
09:35 - 09:55 (20 mins)
[Panel] Preparing Our Communities for Growth, Opportunities, and Advocacy
Facilitator:
Sara Rhodes-Ward
Regional Director, Gippsland
Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Panelists:
Kellie O'Callaghan
Chair
Regional Development Australia Gippsland
Kerryn Ellis
Chief Executive Officer
South Gippsland Shire Council
09:55 - 10:35
(40 mins)
[Panel] Industry Cultivation: Developing Local Skilled Workforces
Moderator:
Cameron Spence
Director
Spence Consulting Group
Panelist:
Katherine Brewis
Senior Project Manager
CPB Contractors
Leigh Kennedy
Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Engagement
Federation University Australia
Laura Macpherson
Chief Executive Officer
TAFE Gippsland
Paul Johnson
Regional Engagement Manager
Southerly Ten
10:35 - 10:45
(10 mins)
[Keynote] Building Social Licenses for Renewable Energy Development
Darren McCubbin
Chief Executive Officer
Gippsland Climate Change Network
10:45 - 11:00
(15 mins)
[Star Project Roadshow] Offshore Wind
Jens Bøgsted Orfelt
EVP and President - Asia Pacific (Offshore Development)
RWE Renewables
Morning Coffee Break
11:30 - 11:45
(15 mins)
[Star Project Roadshow] Liquefied Hydrogen Supply Chain Commercial Demonstration Project
Jeremy Stone
Non-Executive Director
J-Power
11:45 - 12:00
(15 mins)
[Keynote] Bolstering Gippsland’s Enabling Infrastructure - Transmission
Ilsa Colson
Chief of Staff and Executive Director Communications and Engagement
VicGrid
12:00 - 12:15
(15 mins)
[Keynote] Bolstering Gippsland’s Enabling Infrastructure - Battery Storage
Jamie Lowe
Head of Regulation, Compliance, and Sustainability
ENGIE ANZ
12:15 - 12:20
(05 mins)
Closing Address by Latrobe Valley Authority
Afternoon - 11 July
14:00 - 16:30
(150 mins)
Leading case study: Central Queensland
Matt Baumgurtel
Partner
Hamilton Locke
Chairpersons:
14:00 - 14:20
(20 mins)
[Keynote] Regional Transformation Opportunity of Hydrogen and Clean Energy
Kristy Marks
Economic Development Lead, People and Strategy
Gladstone Regional Council
14:20 - 14:40
(20 mins)
[Keynote] Transformation Opportunity of Hydrogen and Clean Energy at Gladstone Ports Corporation
Craig Haymes
CEO
Gladstone Ports Corporation
14:40 - 14:55
(15 mins)
[Keynote] Workforce and Training: Fueling Queensland’s Clean Energy Future
Adam Pennicott
Executive Director of Priority Industries and Initiatives
Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, Queensland
Afternoon Coffee Break
15:25 - 15:35
(10 mins)
[Keynote] Planning, Regulation and Operation of Windfarm Transportation
Lauren Hewitt
Chief Executive Officer
Queensland Transport and Logistics Council
15:35 - 16:05
(30 mins)
[Panel] Queensland’s REZ Development - Project Efficiency, Social Consideration and Licence Approach
Moderator:
Luke Epstein
Director, Infrastructure & Capital Projects
Alvarez & Marsal
Panelist:
Mahesh Narotam
Project Director Renewable Energy Zones
Powerlink
Andrew Harris
VP Sales, APAC & Japan
InEight
16:05 - 16:15
(10 mins)