Break-out 
Session 3 Details

3:00PM

Please choose one
of the four options

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[Rooms 101 & 102]
Using nature-based solutions to reduce and remove emissions, repair nature and build climate resilience

Urban and rural landscapes across Victoria face the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution. Nature-based solutions have been identified as a critical component to reducing and removing GHG emissions, repairing nature and building climate resilience.

This session will seek to explore how councils are using nature-based solutions to build more resilience in our urban and rural landscapes, such as using blue and green infrastructure to reduce the impacts of the urban heat island effect and to restore vital biodiversity corridors to enhance the resilience in our regions.

​You will also see how partnerships and collaboration are critical to implementing nature-based projects and how they can be done at scale.

​Facilitator: Dean Thomson, Executive Officer, Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action
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​Penny Ball, Water Sensitive City Lead, City of Melbourne  (slides)
Cecilia Reibl, Senior Policy Advisor, Trust for Nature  (slides)
Jason McAinch, Private Land Conservation Officer, Macedon Ranges Shire Council (slides)
Ruth Harper, Manager Sustainability and Environment, Latrobe City Council  
& Caroline Hammond, Latrobe Catchment Landcare Networks Group Facilitator (slides)

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[Room 103]
Enhancing community resilience

Councils' infrastructure and communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts. As a result, their ability to adequately insure and maintain assets is becoming increasingly challenging, and the need for investment in climate resilience related activities has never become so important. 

​This session will include discussions about the tools and data available to help councils assess climate risk and vulnerability, climate resilient investment, building community capacity and mandatory disclosures. 

Facilitator: Georgia Langmaid, Executive Support Officer, South East Councils Climate Change Alliance  (session slides)

Anthony Paxinos, Sustainability Officer, Hobsons Bay City Council
Amy Gregorovich, Resilient Climate and Nature Programs Officer, Yarra Ranges Council
Fran MacDonald, Executive Officer, ​ Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action
Michael Nolan, Climate Change Risk & Resilience Leader, Aurecon Group

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[Room 104]
Councils facilitating community voice in the clean energy transition

Regional communities are set to host most of the infrastructure required for the clean energy transition in Australia, presenting significant opportunities for regional development and renewal. But conflicts are also emerging over the impact of renewable energy projects on communities and the environment.

Planning is underway in Victoria to ensure that we have the right infrastructure in the right place and deliver lasting benefits to landholders, communities, and First Peoples, but what is being done to ensure that community voices are heard in planning and decision-making? And what is the role of local governments in this process?

​This session will explore these questions and practical examples of how councils across Victoria are working with communities to plan for their future in the clean energy transition.

Facilitator: Annika Kearton, Chief Executive Officer, Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance

Kim Mallee, Executive Director, Community Power Agency  (slides)
Brent McAlister, CEO, Northern Grampians Shire Council  (slides)
Darren McCubbin, CEO, Gippsland Climate Change Network  (slides)
Michelle Grainger, Director, Swan Hill Rural City Council  (slides)

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[Rooms 105 & 106]
Powering our future – exploring energy resilience, sustainable transport and working with DNSPs

Community Energy Resources such as neighbourhood batteries, Energy Resilience Hubs, and EV chargers are key parts of Victoria’s energy transition. By working together, local government, community, state government, and Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) can maximise the benefits of these technologies.

​At this session, DEECA will share learnings from its neighbourhood batteries, energy resilience, and EV charging programs. Representatives from the Victorian DNSPs will then share learnings and experiences from working with local government and the community, and the audience will be invited to take part in a facilitated discussion with the panel.

Facilitator: James Bramwell, Senior Project Officer, Neighbourhood Battery Initiative, DEECA  (session slides)

John Griffiths, Senior Program Manager, New Energy Innovations, DEECA
Isabella Powell, Business Development Manager, Future Networks, Jemena
Jo Kaptein, Community Energy Engagement Advisor, Ausnet
Andrew Dinning, Head of Network Planning, CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy

​Go back to Conference Program >