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Regional Development Forum

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FORUM

Connecting Regions, Driving Green Growth, Empowering People.

The 3rd annual Regional Development Forum is a cross-industry initiative embedded within Australia Wind Energy, Carbon Capture APAC, SAF APAC, and AI for Energy Transition APAC. The forum examines how clean energy can unlock economic opportunity, environmental resilience, and workforce growth across regional Australia. Featuring discussions on infrastructure, sustainable development, and future energy talent, it offers practical insights for policymakers, developers, and community leaders committed to shaping vibrant and prosperous regional energy economies.

Afternoon - 8 July 2026

14:30 - 17:40
(000 mins)

Call for 2026 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)

[Keynote] From National Vision to Regional Opportunity: Unlocking Australia's Clean Energy Future

14:55 - 15:35

(40 mins)

[Panel] Sustainable Development - Aligning Environmental Stewardship with Economic Growth

  • Centers on environmental sustainability challenges in expanding wind and clean energy projects.

  • Discusses strategies to mitigate ecological impacts, biodiversity concerns, and land use conflicts.

  • Explores the policy frameworks and best practices that align economic growth with environmental stewardship.

  • ​Emphasis on long-term sustainability and community well-being.

Montana de Meillon
Acting Director, Renewables Regulatory Practice Section
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water

Brian Stevens
Board Member
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC)

Michael Williams
Sustainability Superintendent
Bellevue Gold

Afternoon Break

16:15 - 16:55
(40 mins)

[Panel] How Clean Energy Infrastructure Connects Regional Communities to Growth

  • Focus on the role of infrastructure (grid, storage, transport) in enabling clean energy development and regional integration.

  • Examines how infrastructure investments facilitate access to energy markets and support community development.

  • Highlights the connectivity between energy projects and regional economic opportunities beyond energy generation.

  • Addresses technical and planning challenges in linking remote and regional communities.

Michael Johnston
Chief Executive Officer
Committee for Geelong

Lucy Allan
Advocacy 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

  • Mapping the Workforce Challenge

  • Regional Skills Pipelines and Training Hubs

  • Safety and Standards at Scale

  • Transition Pathways for the Existing Workforce

  • Industry, Government, and Skills Councils Collaboration

  • ​A Regional Economic Opportunity

Anthea Middleton
Chief Executive Officer
Powering Skills Organisation

James Montgomery
Chief Executive Officer
TAFE Gippsland

17:35 - 17:40

(05 mins)

Forum Closing
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