2025 Innovation in Energy, Waste & the Circular Economy Conference Speakers & Presentations
James Dorney, CEO at Tomra-Cleanaway
14 Billion and Beyond - A deep dive into the successes of the NSW container deposit scheme
In this keynote, James will explore the evolution of the NSW container deposit scheme, Return and Earn. He’ll reveal how the scheme has been a powerful engine for the domestic circular economy. James will explore how container deposit schemes are creating genuine, high-value circular domestically.
Rob Hogan, A/Director Strategy and Policy at NSW EPA
Energy from Waste - an overview and update
Energy from Waste can add diversity and resilience to our residual waste management infrastructure mix in NSW, and technologies such as pyrolysis can produce low carbon fuels and biochar from a range of clean organic materials such as agriculture waste. This session will provide an overview and update on the Energy from Waste framework in NSW.
Craig Bagnall, Director - Environment and Regulatory at SEATA Group
Turning waste into circular carbon resources and energy for regional areas - SEATA R&D Centre NSW.
Regional communities need economic, sustainable solutions for energy and waste. SEATA upcycles organic waste into valuable products that replace natural gas and supply solid carbon for uses like farm soils and rural roads. Our pilot facility lets clients trial their feedstocks, building confidence with regulators, investors, and communities without needing their own pilot or lengthy approvals. Our local council is exploring trials and a potential Public Private Partnership (PPP) to deliver energy and revenue back to the region.
Mike Ritchie, Managing Director at MRA Consulting Group
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Join Mike Ritchie as he discusses extended producer responsibility and shares his expertise on the current state of waste of Australia.
Mick Fullelove, Business Development at LGI
Batteries - The New Frontier in Power Generation from Landfill Gas
To unlock the full value of LGI's landfill gas extraction system, renewable energy generator and our unique Battery Energy Storage system at the Bunya landfill, we developed in-house our own Dynamic Asset Control System (DACS), LGl’s DACS uses artificial intelligence by machine learning to optimise the integration of our 600kW Renewable Energy Generator, our Utility Scale Battery and our landfill gas extraction system with the local electricity grid and the National Electricity Market. LGI's DACS coupled with our renewable energy generator & battery provides a leading-edge intersection of the energy, waste and carbon industries.
ENERGY STREAM
Ed Maher, Manager, Sustainability Facilities Manager at Charles Sturt University
Campus Electrification: A path for decarbonising
Stationary energy is a major emissions source for large organisations. While electricity is decarbonising rapidly, replacing fossil gas remains challenging. Charles Sturt University is pursuing full electrification as the most reliable path to cut emissions. This session shares insights from studies at the Bathurst and Wagga Wagga campuses and lessons from a no-new-gas approach.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
Alexander Wotton, NSW Environment Protection Authority
Are you being served? An investigation into the chemical properties of compostable single-use food service items
Since the bans on single-use plastic food service items, many compostable alternatives have been adopted by food service retailers in the hope of recovery via commercial composting. This work explores what these materials are made from, what contaminants they contain, and their status within NSW’s commercial composting waste streams.
ENERGY STREAM
Richard Johnston, Special Projects at AGL Energy
Power Your Way! - overcoming grid power issues with Microgrids
Grid electricity powers Australian industry, but what if it’s unavailable, unreliable, or too costly at your site? Hear from AGL’s microgrid expert about when and where microgrids work, and how AGL partners with customers to develop onsite solutions that future-proof operations. Learn from a South Australian almond grower using a 9 MW solar farm, batteries, and gensets to supplement a limited grid and meet a 7 MVA water pumping load.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
Michelle Wilkinson, Team Leader Resource Recovery at Albury City Council
Residential Soft Plastics Recycling Pilot - Impacts for councils, residents and recyclers
Albury, Wodonga, Indigo and Alpine Shires have been participating in a national pilot to collect residential soft plastics through the kerbside co-mingled recycling service. This presentation reviews the outcomes so that other councils and recyclers can assess potential participation in the national scheme.
ENERGY STREAM
Dan Wigmore, Engagement Officer at NSW Government
NSW Government Electric Vehicle Programs Update
Dan will provide an updated look at NSW Government's EV programs and a snapshot of the progress being made in the region and around the state.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
Daniel Adler, Asbestos Policy Project Manager at LGNSW
Asbestos and the Circular Economy.
Asbestos can contaminate waste streams destined for re-use and recycling in the circular economy. Managing asbestos so that it does not contaminate waste streams requires collaboration and innovation. This presentation discusses local government initiatives to keep asbestos out of the circular economy.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
Esther Landells, LGNSW
This PhD research examined Australian waste managers’ insights on successful FOGO engagement. A “whole of council” approach, strong communication, and alignment with community values (health, environment, cost of living) were key. Early engagement, social media, and trials-built trust. Despite challenges, ongoing involvement from staff and councillors, along with visible FOGO implementation, enabled lasting community behaviour change.
ENERGY STREAM
Matthew Muller, Director Cool Soil and Sustainability at Charles Sturt University/Cool Soil Initiative
Improving Soils, Improving GHG Emission Efficiency.
The Cool Soil Initiative, led by Charles Sturt University, is Australia’s top paddock-to-product sustainability platform. Working with 150+ farmers, it reduces emissions, improves soil health, and boosts resilience. The program offers personalized insights and benchmarks to support productivity and compliance with climate laws. This session will showcase outcomes and explore the economic, environmental, and social benefits of expanding into regenerative agriculture.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
James Waite, Manager of Waste and Facilities at Greater Hume Council
Transition to FOGO and Rollout.
An overview of the FOGO roll-out for Greater Hume Council. Outlining the good and the bad as well as highlighting the important information for Councils going forward with this process.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
Anthony Cullen-Ward, Regional Projects Coordinator at NetWaste
Learnings from the US - Texas Winter School 2025
Insights from the US Solid Waste Management, Landfill & Landfill Mining Winter School at the University of Arlington, Texas, January 2025. Attendees gain a two-week immersion in waste management, including site visits, bulk recovery, curbside systems, MRFs, and the Dallas Fort Worth Airport food recovery program. Open to all nations with scholarships, the course offers valuable perspectives on global waste management and North American systems.
Innovation in Energy, Waste & the Circular Economy Conference Speakers & Presentations
Jacqueline Crompton, Flexible Exports Program Manager at Endeavour Energy
Flexible Exports & Emergency Backstop.
Jacqueline Crompton is a passionate advocate for consumer engagement in the energy transition, with over 20 years of experience in stakeholder engagement across engineering, regulatory, and asset management teams in the energy and telecommunications sectors.
Currently at Endeavour Energy, Jacqueline played a key role in winning the 2023 Energy Networks Australia Consumer Engagement Award. As Flexible Exports Program Manager, she works on programs that transform the management of customer energy resources to ensure a sustainable, affordable, and resilient energy future.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
Dr Hadi Vandchali, Consultant, ESG and Procurement Services at LG Procurement
Procurement Power: Driving Circular Economy and Market Innovation
This presentation explores how procurement can drive circular economy outcomes in local government by shifting from traditional, risk-averse practices to innovative, outcomes-focused approaches. It covers ways councils can experiment, engage suppliers early, and integrate circular thinking throughout the procurement lifecycle. The session will also share insights from recent circular procurement innovations by Local Government Procurement (LGP), offering practical ideas for embedding circular economy principles in planning, tendering, and contract management.
ENERGY STREAM
Alex Smeeth, Technical Sales Manager at S-Rack
Solar Carports: Beyond the ROI.
S-Rack Australia has delivered 40+ solar carports across Australia, including a recent project with Solar Professionals for Parramatta City Council. Solar carports provide clean energy, enhance user experience, offer EV charging, increase property value, and demonstrate environmental leadership, helping meet renewable energy targets as rooftops fill with panels.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
Sharon Owens, Manager CDS Development at NSW Environment Protection Authority
Procurement Power: Driving Circular Economy and Market Innovation
Sharon will talk about the latest developments in the Return and Earn scheme, what the national picture of CDS schemes looks like now, what is on the horizon.
ENERGY STREAM
Rupa Nair, Director Capacity Building and Market Development at NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
A presentation on the NSW Government's efforts to help councils procure and use low-carbon concrete. It covers training developed for councils, identifies remaining barriers, and proposes a Low Carbon Concrete Accelerator (LOCCA) program to support council pilots using low-carbon concrete.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY STREAM
Linda Tohver, Education Coordinator at NE Waste
Transitioning regional NSW to reusables, where's there's appetite one plate at a time.
North East Waste has been trialling reusables at community events, markets, and schools. This presentation will cover the research, key learnings, challenges, successes, and the infrastructure and community education resources being developed.
