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Regional Development Forum
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
Date | Strategic Summit | Exhibition | Unlocking Wind Capital | Happy Hour in the Exhibition | Sustainability & Diversity Gala Dinner | Regional Development Forum | Offshore WindTECH | Student’s Day | Women in Net-zero Future |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
17 July, 2025 | 09:00-18:00 | 09:00-17:30 | 10:00-16:30 | 17:30-19:00 | 19:00-21:00 | - | 10:00-15:20 | 10:00-12:00 | 16:00-17:30 |
18 July, 2025 | 09:00-17:40 | 09:00-16:30 | - | - | - | 09:30-16:30 | 09:25-15:00 | - | - |
2025 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FORUM
The Regional Development Forum stands as a collaborative initiative ingrained within the Connecting Hydrogen APAC, the Australia Wind Energy and the Carbon Capture APAC Summit. It is designed to focus on the major regions of Australia's clean energy industry, and to energize regional development by providing the audience with an in-depth understanding of the context of the region. The forum will bring an exchange with local representatives from the perspectives of regional planning, project sharing, local workforce, environment and culture, exploring more possibilities of regional development, and creating the prosperity of Australia's economic development.
Regional Development Forum is exclusively open to sponsors, speakers, and delegates.
Forum Partners:
Morning - 18 July Friday
09:30 - 16:30
(480 mins)
Call for 2025 Regional Development Forum Partners
please send your interest to au@leader-associates.com
09:30 - 09:50
(20 mins)
[Regional Remarks]
09:50 - 10:30
(40 mins)
[Panel] Exploring Pathways into a Net-Zero Economy for Regions
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Renewables' expansion to replace coal plants
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Coal to Green Hydrogen and carbon capture
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Adapting to regional energy demands
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Energising the regional economy
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Considerations for mining, agriculture, tourism, and fishing
Moderator:
Lu Allan
Advocacy Director
RE-Alliance
Panelist:
Tim Bray
Assistant Coordinator of Energy
Western Australia Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Clare Larkin-Sykes
Co-lead
New.E
Nils Hay
Chief Executive Officer
Mid West Development Commission
Sara Rhodes-Ward
Regional Director, Gippsland
Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Bart Sykes
Regional Economic Development Facilitator
Squadron Energy
Michael Johnston
CEO
Committee for Geelong
10:30 - 10:55
(25 mins)
[Keynote] Reserved for CPB Contractors
Break
11:35 - 11:50
(15 mins)
[Case Study] Renewable Energy and Regional Communities – Bunbury as a Model
Brant Edwards
Chief Executive Officer
Bunbury Geographe Economic Alliance
11:50 - 12:30
(40 mins)
[Panel] Cultivating the Future Workforce: Preparing for Clean Energy Jobs
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The importance of upskilling, training programs
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Creating pathways for local communities
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Nurture talent and build a skilled workforce for Australia’s clean energy future
Jan Rieche
Executive Manager Policy Culture & People
H2U - the Hydrogen Utility
Anna Stephenson
Regional Impact and Education Director
Regional Australia Institute
Laura Macpherson
Chief Executive Officer
TAFE Gippsland
Grahame Irwin
Regional Workforce Transition Officer
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Leigh Kennedy
Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Engagement
Federation University Australia
Mary Barry
CEO and Director
CircularEco
Break
14:00 - 14:40
(40 mins)
[Panel] Sustaining Growth: Balancing Environmental Protection with Economic Development
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Identify potential environmental and economic risks
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Minimize the environmental impact of renewable energy projects
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Integrate sustainability into economic planning
-
Ensure long-term benefits
Moderator:
Raquel Carter
Head of WA and Environment
Energise Renewables
Panelist:
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Dr Andrew Gill
Senior Research Scientist Renewable Energy
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
Bridget Ryan
Policy & Industry Engagement Director
RE-Alliance
Tanya Jackson
Head of Sustainability, Communications and Engagement
RES Australia
Heidi McElnea
Regional Partnerships Coordinator
Community Power Agency
Rob Law
Senior Manager, Energy Transitions
WWF-Australia
14:40 - 14:55
(15 mins)
[Case Study] Building a Robust Australian Wind Supply Chain: Catalyst for Regional Growth and a Zero-Emission Future
Sam Mella
Senior Project Manager
Beyond Zero Emissions
14:55 - 15:10
(15 mins)
[Case Study] Achieving 100% Renewables - Tasmanian REZ
Break
15:40 - 15:55
(15 mins)
[Keynote] Transportation of Windfarm Equipment (OSOM): Updates and Initiatives for 2025
15:55 - 16:35
(40 mins)
[Panel] Reviving Australia's Manufacturing Industry towards a Net-Zero Future
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New industry models and mechanisms
Shannon O'Rourke
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Powering Australia
Kellie O'Callaghan
Chair
Regional Development Australia Gippsland
Professor Bernard Rolfe
Associate Dean Research - Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Built Environment (SEBE)
Deakin University
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)
Close Address
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