New.E Knowledge Exchange - End of Year Network Session

Come and celebrate the end of year with NewH2 as we launch our new brand “New.E”, reflecting our broadening endeavours in the new energy transformation.

We launch the count down to the Hunter New Energy Symposium 2025 which will be convened on 21/22 May 2025.

Our guest speaker will report on an independent assessment of the environmental aspects of an offshore wind capability off the Hunter. Please see details below.

Finally, we will enjoy reflecting on 2024 with some networking over some refreshments.

When: Wednesday 4th December
The Green Room Merewether - Townson Oval (Mitchell Park) Mitchell Street, Merewether
$40pp includes afternoon tea

SPEAKER

Jo Lynch
Jo Lynch is a lifelong resident of the Hunter, raised on Wonnarua Country. Since 2018, she has worked with the Hunter Community Environment Centre to coordinate grassroots environment, climate and conservation campaigns, with a primary focus between 2019-2022 on the adverse impacts of coal-ash waste pollution on waterways and ecology from NSW’s thermal coal industry. Jo is Secretary of the Hunter Jobs Alliance and Hunter Community Organizer with national organisation, RE-Alliance pursuing Commonwealth funding to establish a national network of Local Energy Hubs to give regional communities access to independent, trusted advice on all aspects of the shift to renewable energy. Jo is passionate about an equitable transition to renewable energy for the Hunter in which the regions’ rich cultural and ecological diversity and strong working-class legacy can continue to thrive together as the region navigates the structural and societal change required to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Presentation summary:
The Hunter Community Environment Centre's forthcoming report on the Hunter-Central Coast Offshore Wind Zone highlights the significant role offshore wind energy will play in global efforts to combat climate change, and identifies a range of potential strategies to avoid potential environmental impacts, including seabird collision mortality and secondary entanglement of marine mega fauna. By setting out the documented potential impacts of offshore wind based on international experience and issuing recommendations to address these anticipated potential impacts, the report seeks to refute misinformation whilst providing the Hunter community, offshore wind proponents and Government information and incentive to ensure the offshore wind sector in development for the Hunter is ecologically sustainable and positioned to achieve a net-positive outcomes for nature.