From grid to community: Upcoming Inland Growth Summit to examine how energy projects land in regional NSW
The Inland Growth Summit returns to Dubbo on 22–23 April 2026 with a program that places energy alongside workforce, water, and transport, bringing together infrastructure providers, regulators and community voices to examine how projects are delivered and experienced across regional NSW.
The 8th annual Inland Growth Summit will be held in Dubbo across 22–23 April 2026, bringing together representatives from industry, government and regional communities to discuss the issues shaping inland Australia.
The two-day program spans agriculture, tourism, water, transport, workforce and energy, with sessions designed to examine how these sectors intersect in regional areas. Organisers describe the event as an opportunity for two days of ideas and collaboration as we shine a spotlight on the innovators, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs driving regional NSW toward a more resilient, inclusive, and economically vibrant future.
Keynote speakers include Kelly McJannett, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Food Ladder, and Dr Rolf Gomes, Founder of Heart of Australia, both presenting on innovation and service delivery in regional settings.
Energy positioned alongside core regional systems
Energy is embedded across the Summit program rather than treated as a standalone topic, appearing in both Day 1 regional updates and a dedicated Day 2 session.
On the first day, energy intersects with transport, workforce and circular economy discussions, including an update on the Energy and Circularity Action Plan delivered by Megan Jones of the Circular PV Alliance. This placement reflects how energy infrastructure is being considered alongside supply chains, skills and regional planning.
The inclusion of speakers from organisations such as Essential Energy, the Energy Charter and the Port of Newcastle indicates a focus on how electricity networks, ports and community expectations interact in regional areas.
Dedicated energy session brings multiple perspectives
Day 2 of the Summit includes a dedicated energy session facilitated by Sabiene Heindl, Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Charter.
The panel brings together a mix of regulatory, network, developer and community perspectives, including Tony Mahar, Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner; John Cleland, Chief Executive Officer of Essential Energy; Charlie Prell, Chair of the Developer Rating Scheme Lived Experience Panel; and Louise Johnson from Acciona.
This combination of speakers points to a discussion that covers infrastructure delivery, community engagement and the lived experience of energy development, rather than focusing only on technical or policy settings.
Broader program connects energy to regional delivery
Across both days, energy is linked with other regional systems including water security, transport networks and workforce capability.
Speakers such as Liz Ritchie from the Regional Australia Institute and Ian Pedersen from RDA Hunter contribute to sessions on workforce and transport, while water-focused panels include representatives from the Murray Darling Basin Authority and local government.
This structure reflects the way energy projects are delivered in regional areas, where access to skilled labour, transport corridors and water resources all influence outcomes.
The Summit will also feature local innovators and entrepreneurs whose ideas, products and services are strengthening inland communities and contributing to a more resilient, inclusive and economically vibrant future.
