Regional Leaders Summit 2026, Toowoomba QLD

FAQs

• Why the 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, 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 or 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 our communities through the challenges and opportunities associated with the shift to renewables.

• Is the event a good fit for me?

  The Summit is a workshop-orientated event for rural and regional leaders wanting to learn more about leading communities through significant large-scale renewable energy planning and development. You might be involved in:

  • Local Government 

    • Elected representatives

    • Staff from the executive team and relevant departments including economic development, strategic planning and community development

  • Regional Development organisations

  • First Nations organisations

  • Community-based groups and associations involved in local decision-making or leadership around renewable energy developments

  Our definition of ‘leader’ is broad too - if you’re working on regional and/or renewable energy development, from one of the organisations listed above, we consider you a change-making leader and you’re very welcome to attend.

  We’re aiming to attract 120 solutions-focussed and collaborative leaders who are actively leading their communities through significant large-scale renewable energy planning and development, across rural and regional Australia. 

  Additionally, we will invite a small, select number of representatives from federal and state government departments, industry bodies and active not-for-profits. 
  

  The Regional Leaders Summit is primarily a skills-building and discussion-focused network event. Attendance does not constitute individual or organisational endorsement of Summit themes or outcomes.

• Can industry, academia, state/federal government or private businesses attend?

  Whilst we value the diverse organisations that play important roles in the energy shift, the Summit is a dedicated space for community leaders to share experiences and strengthen their collective impact. We warmly encourage researchers, academics, engagement experts, developers, private businesses and government to connect with the work after the event, through a public webinar and a summary report outlining the key themes. Saying that, we do have a small number of tickets reserved for key representatives from federal and state government departments and industry bodies.

• Ticket inclusions

  Tickets include all Summit activities and fully catered meals:
  

  • Tuesday 15 September 2026, 9am - 5pm plus evening canapes and drinks, 5 - 7pm

  • Wednesday 16 September 2026, 9am - 3pm
    

  The optional tour to MacIntyre Wind Farm on Thursday 17 September is an additional expense to help cover transport costs to and from the site.

• Choosing the right ticket

  To keep the event as affordable as possible, we have created a tiered ticket pricing structure. Ticket categories should be selected based on the balance of:
  

  • Your organisation's ability to purchase tickets

  • Local government area size and population, and

  • The number of full time equivalent staff at your organisation.
    

  Ticket tiers are exhaustible, so we appreciate your honesty with regards to appropriate ticket selection. The terms and conditions outlined below explain our policies around monitoring ticket selection and purchases.

  We can accommodate a maximum of three people from each organisation.

• Optional tour to MacIntyre Wind Farm, QLD

  This year we're offering an optional third day tour to MacIntyre Wind Farm on Thursday 17 September 2026, supported by Acciona. The tour will allow regional leaders to get a real feel for the infrastructure, as well as to chat with developers, landowners, and local council representatives on site to learn how their journey progressed, and see the end result of a successful collaboration between stakeholders.
  

  Please express your interest in the site tour by checking the relevant box when purchasing your Summit tickets.

• What we will do with Summit insights

  We will synthesize and share general Summit themes to demonstrate the need for a better approach moving forward that centers regional leadership in local energy shifts. Only with your explicit consent, there will be opportunities during and post the event to be involved in media and government engagement around the themes of the Summit.  The synthesis produced will be shared widely, including with attendees.

  
  Check out the outcomes report from last year’s Regional Leaders Summit here.

• Venue and accessibility

  We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this Country we’ll meet on, the Giabal, Jarowair and Western Wakka Wakka peoples.

  Venue: The Empire, 54-56 Neil Street, Toowoomba, Queensland

  • Accessibility information

  Getting to and from the venue

  Greyhound, Murrays and others operate bus services to Toowoomba from Brisbane airport. It's a 2 1⁄2 hour trip, one way.

  Car parking options at the venue are outlined here.
  

  Accommodation

  Toowoomba has a variety of accommodation available to suit most styles and budgets, some options are outlined here. 

  Perhaps you’ll opt to stay longer to enjoy Toowoomba’s famous Carnival of Flowers, kicking off on Friday 18 September 2026.
  

• Financial support for participants

  RE-Alliance is offering financial support packages to a select number of rural and regional leaders, as we don't want cost to be a barrier. These packages can cover, or contribute to, accommodation, travel and ticket expenses. 

  Please fill out this form if you would like to be considered for support to attend the event. 

  Contact Thomasen by emailing thomasen@re-alliance.org.au if you’d like to discuss further.

• Terms and conditions

  To ensure the Summit's purpose is fulfilled, RE-Alliance reserves the right to: 

  • Monitor and query ticket purchases.

  • Refuse participation and refund tickets where we choose to do so. This could be for a number of reasons including ensuring a balanced geographic representation of participants or allowing more space for an underrepresented stakeholder group.

  We know many stakeholders are interested in the event's outcomes and insights. We will synthesize and share these freely and broadly post event.