Community Benefits in Renewable Energy: Maximising Impact Where it Matters

Breakout Session | Tuesday, 28 October 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Savoy Ballroom

“What’s in it for the community?” It’s the question being asked more and more as renewable energy projects roll out across rural, regional and Aboriginal communities.

This breakout session at the 2025 Annual Conference will tackle that question head-on. An interactive panel of sector leaders will explore how community benefit-sharing can move beyond one-size-fits-all financial sweeteners to deliver impact that is co-created, not imposed.

Speakers will unpack real case studies showing how listening early, tailoring support, and enabling community-led models can transform the value equation. Expect a candid conversation on:

• The difference between compensation and true benefit-sharing

• How governments are responding to demands for greater transparency and fairness

• What locally defined impact looks like in practice

• Shifting from cookie-cutter offers to meaningful partnerships

Panelists:

• Cath Russell, Engagement Lead – NSW, EnergyAustralia

• Courtney Paulsen, First Nations Engagement Manager, AGL

• Dominic Luddy, Senior Community & Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Acciona Energia

• Margaret Harvie, PlanCom Consulting & Chairperson, New England Renewable Energy Zone

This session promises to be one of the most practical and timely conversations of the conference. For anyone working on renewables, infrastructure, or community engagement in complex environments, it’s a chance to test ideas, hear lessons learned, and join the discussion on how to maximise impact where it matters most.

👉 View the full conference agenda.