By LIAM DURKIN

 

TRARALGON had hosting rights to the third Gippsland New Energy Conference.

The two-day conference was held last week, and attracted the best part of 800 people to the region.

Attendees mingled with various dignitaries, which included state and federal politicians and representatives from energy providers, to learn more about renewable energy options as Gippsland prepares to transition to a possible life beyond coal-fired power.

Held at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, the centre’s auditorium was packed for opening addresses last Tuesday (September 3) morning.

Latrobe City Mayor, Darren Howe made opening remarks, before Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio officially opened proceedings.

Ms D’Ambrosio entered to the Journey song Don’t Stop Believin as she walked on stage.

“We are strong believers in this room, but we are more than that, we are actually people that do things,” she said.

“It’s really my great honour for me to officially open the third Gippsland New Energy Conference.

“I’m really pleased to say that just five years ago, I don’t know that such a conference here would have attracted the degree of buy-in from local communities that this conference has, but also the businesses from not just across the state and the country, but globally now making a beeline for this conference every year.

“So I really want to congratulate all of you for being tangible and practical with the solutions that are with us. There are solutions that come to us as this transition throws up a lot of fantastic, innovative changes, that we make the transition one that we can truly be proud of.”

The first day of the conference coincided with a settling off period after severe storms lashed the region and left many locals without power.

Recovery efforts were in full swing by the time the Minister spoke, and she provided an update to attendees from emergency services.

Sale hosted the first two Gippsland New Energy Conferences (2022 and 2023), a locality closer to a number of proposed offshore and coastal renewable energy projects.