Join us for an extraordinary opportunity to experience collaboration in action! Presented by The Energy Charter in partnership with the RDA Orana and supported by ACEREZ, EnergyCo, Essential Energy and JLL, this training promises to empower and inspire. It’s more than just a learning event—it’s your chance to connect, collaborate, and create meaningful change within your community.
This is a chance to learn how to lead with empathy, build shared value, and help shape the future of energy in Australia.
Don’t miss out on being part of this dynamic and high impact experience. Register now and be ready to make a difference!
Who should attend?
If you work in:
Renewable energy development
Transmission or distribution
Land access or acquisitions
Community engagement or state or local government
…this training is built for you.
What will you learn?
✅ Learn how to identify and deliver social value
✅ Master better practice engagement strategies
✅ Connect with peers and community leaders
✅ Leave with tools you can apply immediately
✅ Understand what’s happening in Australia’s first declared Regional Energy Zone (REZ).
What you’ll experience
🧠 Interactive workshops with rich scenarios and peer learning
📍 Field trip to meet landholders and see collaboration in action
📚 Case studies from the Central-West Orana REZ and beyond
🎤 Expert-led sessions with Kirsty O’Connell and Dr Richard Parsons
🗣️ Community voices sharing what’s working and what needs work
The itinerary
Day 1: Welcome + scene setting
1.30pm: arrive at The Exchange Orana (98 Macquarie Street, Dubbo)
2 – 5.30pm: Opening session and speakers
5.30 – 7.30pm: Networking drinks.
Day 2: Skills Development Training
8am: arrive at Lazy River Estate (29R Old Dubbo Road, Dubbo
8.30am – 4.30pm: Collaboration in Action workshop + Industry Insights Panel
6 – 9pm: Dinner at Lazy River Estate with guest speaker Tony Mahar, Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (smart dinner attire).
Day 3: Field trip
7.30am – 3pm: site visits (details TBC)
Please bring attire and footwear suitable for walking. Long pants and hiking boots or other sturdy footwear recommended).
Meet your trainers: experts in landholder and community engagement
Kirsty O'Connell
Co-founder of The Australian National University's Next Generation Engagement Program, Kirsty brings unmatched experience from $20 billion+ in major projects. From early-stage planning to meaningful community engagement consultation and land acquisition reform, she’s shaped the standards we use today. Pragmatic, strategic, and deeply grounded in practice, Kirsty played a pivotal role in NSW’s 2017 Land Acquisition Reform and continues to advise on engagement across Australia’s energy transformation.
Dr Richard Parsons
Globally recognised for his work in Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Richard is a boundary-spanning leader who bridges government, industry, and community. He led NSW’s SIA guidelines, is the first CEnvP-certified expert in the field, and has guided ethical, inclusive engagement across energy, mining, infrastructure, and beyond. With his grounding in research and real-world delivery, Richard will challenge and empower you to embed social licence at the core of your work.
Need more information?
Training support
M: 0412 206 621 (please text for on-day support)
Suggested hotels
Quest Hotel 22 Bultje St, Dubbo 10 minute walk from Day 1 venue, 2-minute walk from Day 2 venue
Cattleman’s Country Motor Inn Whylandra St, Dubbo 20 mins walk from Day 1 Venue, 15-minute walk from Day 2 venue.
Quality Inn 195 Whylandra St, Dubbo 6-minute drive from Day 1 venue, 5-minute drive from Day 2 venue
Comfort Inn 57 Cobra St, Dubbo 15-minute walk from Day 1 Venue, 5 minute walk from Day 2 venue.
Cascades Motor Inn 141-147 Cobra St, Dubbo 20-minute walk from Day 1 Venue, 10-minute walk from Day 2 venue.
Reasonably priced motels on Cobra Street (Mitchell Hwy) such as Shearing Shed, The Palms + The Australian Heritage Motor Inn are around a 15-minute walk to our Day 1 venue and a 5-minute walk for the Day 3 pickup.
Getting to Dubbo
From Sydney: direct flight on Qantas or Rex or Train from Central station 6 ½ hours or 5 hours self-drive from Sydney CBD.
From Brisbane: direct flight on Virgin.
From Melbourne: direct flight on Virgin (no direct flight back on Thursday afternoon).
From other cities: flights via Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
