Regional Leaders Summit 2026

Join 150 rural and regional leaders from across Australia who are working at the heart of renewables and regional development, over two days in Toowoomba QLD. 

This is your chance to share stories, lessons and experiences that have helped create and maximise opportunities, and limit risks, in the shift to renewable energy underway in our communities. Peer-to-peer learning and connection is at the core of this event.

Why this event matters

The lack of recognition and support for rural and regional leaders in some places is hindering delivery and local value that can be created in the shift to renewables.

It’s not uncommon for rural and regional leaders working in local government, regional development and community organisations navigating large-scale renewable energy developments to express feelings of overwhelm and isolation. The sheer volume of information to digest and local development to coordinate – on top of business as usual – is massive, often without extra resources to handle the additional work.

After the success of our inaugural Regional Leaders Summit held in Newcastle NSW in August 2025, we knew we needed to hold a second event. Bringing leaders together to learn from each other’s work, laugh, eat and share in each other’s frustrations and wins was incredibly powerful.

We have designed this year’s Summit to be bigger and better, built in collaboration with our Regional Leaders Network and an advisory committee of experts working at the centre of Australia’s shift to renewables. Our hope is that this year's Summit will build confidence, networks, skills and understanding among those of us working at a practical level to see renewables deliver genuine benefits for our communities.

As a result, our regions will be stronger, more networked and better equipped to support communities through the challenges and opportunities associated with the shift to renewables.