Observers are welcome free of charge!

Councils impacted by mining and energy issues in NSW need a voice: one that understands the issues and is heard. The Association of Mining & Energy Related Councils (MERC) is that voice.

Join the MERC meeting on the morning of REIIF Day 1 to witness how MERC council members collaborate to address the impacts of mining and energy activities and support affected communities in NSW. Observers are welcome free of charge. Be part of the MERC voice to make a difference!

Membership enquiries to info@miningrelatedcouncils.asn.au or 0407937636

Registration: 10.30 AM

Welcome to Country: 11.00 AM

Official Welcome
Justine Campbell, CEO, RDA Orana

Welcome
Michael Askew, Executive Officer, the Association of Mining & Energy Related Councils (MERC)

Ministerial Welcome
The Hon Mark Coulton MP, Federal Member for Parkes

Keynote Speakers:

• Renewable Energy and the Call for Critical Minerals - A Global Perspective
  Piers Montgomery, Principal Analyst - Base Metals Supply, CRU Group
  
• Central West Orana REZ Update
  Ash Albury, Executive Director Planning & Communities, EnergyCo
• Insights Observations from Across Regional Australia
  Julia Spicer OAM, Founder, Engage & Create Consulting / The Goondiwindi Business Hub
• Impacts of the REZ affecting the Mid-Western Regional Council
• Brad Cam, General Manager, Mid-Western Regional Council

The Enablers for Impact session will bring together some of the brightest minds from both the University of Newcastle and Beyond Zero Emissions to explore the key enablers and opportunities for the region.

• Research Impact to Build Resilient Communities
  Professor Alan Broadfoot, Executive Director, NIER, University of Newcastle
• Empowering Communities: Generating Social Impact Across Regions
  Dr Jai Cooper, Consultant, Institute for Regional Futures, University of Newcastle
• Building on our Strengths: Key Enablers for Impactful Change
  Beth Mitchell and Sam Mella, Beyond Zero Emissions

Sandeep Kirpalani, Academic Lead, Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), UNSW

The resources industry underpins the development of new sustainable energy technologies - this session will delve into how the resources industry is reducing its energy footprint while at the same time providing the necessary alloys to build a better, cleaner future and building relationships with the communities they work and live in. You will also hear about the future of mining, exploration and geoscience with new opportunities arising from the growing demand for critical minerals along with a state of the region update for the mining, energy, technology and services sector.

• ASM Dubbo Project
  Michael Sutherland, General Manager NSW, Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASM)
• Partnering Together for Shared Value
  Renee Pettit, Advisor, Community & External Relations, Evolution Mining Cowal Gold Operations
• Regulating for Safe and Sustainable Resource Development
  Peter Day, Executive Director Resources Regulator Mining, Exploration & Geoscience (MEG)
• METS Sector - State of the Region
  Ross Carter, Membership Manager NSW, Austmine
  
• Session host: Clare Larkin-Sykes, Managing Director, Forelight Advisory

Energy is the pulse of our day-to-day life and how we create and use it is changing rapidly. What the future will look like is not certain, but what is clear is that we’re well on our way to a new energy future. Imagine the possibilities . . . a world where energy is sustainable and abundant. Session speakers will highlight this goal speaking about the decarbonisation of global economies and the emergence of carbon offsets through land use trade offs in agriculture, we will hear about community benefits from the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, how reducing carbon emissions can be achieved while creating jobs and economic growth, and hear how one local government is building legacies for the community from the energy transition

• Decarbonisation of Global Economies
  Cathleen Waters, Head of Science, GreenCollar
• Benefit Sharing and Leaving a Legacy
  Jason Willoughby, Squadron Energy
• Considerations in Rural Electrification
  Mark Lewis, Business Manager - Electrification & Energy Systems Network, NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
  Dr Liz Smith, Research Partnership Development Manager – LPI Network, NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
• Building Legacies
  Murray Wood, Chief Executive Officer, Dubbo Regional Council
  

Opening the door to new opportunities for industry and the community through partnerships, collaboration and new ideas will be the key focus of session three. Speakers will discuss innovations in the recycling and rejuvenation of PV panels through an indigenous corporation servicing the renewable energy circular economy market, how access to a qualified workforce is a universal constraint for all industries and a model that could be a game changer for the new energy industry, a better way to support communities in negotiating with government and industry to get the best possible local outcomes from the energy transition and hear from the brightest minds from the University of Newcastle who will pitch their innovative thesis ideas addressing the challenges and needs of the future energy and resources sector.

• Yurruga
  Alex Frail and Joe Williams, Co-founder, Yurruga
• Workforce Development Solutions
  Megan Callinan, Chief Executive Officer, Marathon Health
• Striking a New Deal: Finding a Better Way to Develop Renewables in the Regions
  Jack Archer, Founder, ProjectsJSA - Regional Advisory
  
• University of Newcastle Doctoral Training Centre PhD Candidates will pitch their innovative thesis ideas addressing the challenges and needs of the future energy and resources sector.
  

  Jackson Lee, PhD Candidate, University of Newcastle
  Gamsavi Kanagasundaram, PhD Candidate, University of Newcastle
  Amanda Cameron, PhD Candidate, University of Newcastle
  Sophie Nichols, PhD Candidate, University of Newcastle
  

• Session host: Megan Callinan, Chief Executive Officer, Marathon Health
  

Innovation in a new energy climate is how we look long-term at building the future for the region including ideas to help with research, employment, skills and problem solving. It involves think tanks and innovation hubs that can combine knowledge to develop dynamic innovation systems that match new and emerging research to real-world scenarios. In this session you will hear about the INGA Innovation Hub, which aims to complement the significant activity and opportunity in the region for renewable energy, critical minerals, copper, circular economy and infrastructure, along with innovative problem solving solutions in the energy sector.

• Inland NSW Growth Alliance (INGA) Innovation Hub
  Clare Larkin-Sykes, Managing Director, LarkinSykes Advisory
• Cobar Biohub Overview
  Mark Glover, Director, Renewed Carbon
• Regional Innovation
  Jo Palmer, Director, Innovation Programs, Charles Sturt Universit

• Justine Campbell, CEO, RDA Orana

Depart Dubbo: 9.00 AM

A round trip tour of the region will begin by meeting the owners of Native Secrets - Cherie and Phil Thompson who will explain how they assist ASM to manage Black and White Cypress Pine in ASM’s biodiversity offsets. On the property Ugothery, Phil and Cherie distil oils from wood and leaves from invasive native species into essential oils, skin and hair care products, and candles under the Native Secrets label. 

The tour will continue to Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) Dubbo Project, where General Manager NSW, Michael Sutherland will explain the project, which aims to mine rare earth and critical minerals and export them to South Korea and other jurisdictions. In December 2021, the company estimated the capital cost to be $1.67 billion and would employ up to 1,000 workers during construction, with 270 full-time jobs expected when the mine is up and running. 

Next stop is the Toongi Pastoral Company, which has created a coexistence between natural resource management and mining resource management. Toongi Pastoral Company is owned by ASM and manages the agricultural land (1,995 ha) surrounding the Dubbo Project’s mining and processing areas (520 ha). Toongi Pastoral Company carefully integrates agricultural activities with the management of the Dubbo Project’s biodiversity offsets.

Arrive at Taronga Western Plains Zoo: 11.45 AM

The tour will coincide with a workshop about supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in the resources and clean energy sector.