Clean Energy, Stronger Community, Thriving Business
The Community and Business Energy Summit was hosted as a collaborative initiative between the Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce and EnergyZE North Shore Inc, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, sustainability experts, and engaged community members for an evening focused on Australia’s clean energy transition and its local impact.
Held on Wednesday 8 April 2026 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Greengate Hotel, corner of Pacific Highway and Greengate Road, Killara, the Summit provided a timely and in-depth exploration of how energy transformation was reshaping business, government policy, and community resilience.
The event was proudly sponsored by Ku-ring-gai Council through its Environmental Levy Net Zero Grant, reflecting the Council’s continued commitment to supporting practical climate action and local sustainability initiatives.
A Timely Focus on Energy Transition and Local Impact
The Summit brought into sharp focus the reality that climate change and the energy transition were no longer abstract or future-focused policy discussions. Instead, they were already influencing local business operations, household decisions, investment strategies, and long-term community resilience.
The purpose of the evening was to move beyond theory and provide practical, evidence-based insights into what the transition to a low-carbon economy meant at a local level.
Participants explored a wide range of critical themes, including:
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The economic, operational, and risk implications of the energy transition
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Practical steps businesses could take to improve resilience and reduce exposure to rising energy costs
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Community-level strategies that supported net zero goals in a realistic and achievable way
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The role of local leadership in driving meaningful and coordinated climate action
The audience included business owners, professional advisers, community leaders, and residents, all seeking a clearer understanding of how global energy shifts were being translated into local outcomes.
Keynote Presentation
The evening featured a keynote presentation titled “Energy Strategy for a Changing Economy – risk management, transition readiness and leadership foresight”, delivered by Cathy Foley.
Dr Foley, who served as Australia’s Chief Scientist from 2021 to 2024 and previously held senior leadership roles at the CSIRO, provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving energy landscape. Her presentation focused on how businesses and communities could prepare for structural changes in energy systems, while managing both opportunity and risk in a rapidly shifting global economy.
Drawing on her background in physics and applied research, she emphasised the importance of translating scientific knowledge into practical, real-world action—particularly in areas such as clean energy adoption, innovation, and national resilience.
Government and Local Perspectives
Following the keynote, attendees heard from senior leaders across government and local council who provided further insight into policy direction and implementation at both state and local levels.
Jenny Merkley, Acting Deputy Secretary at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, outlined current government priorities and initiatives aimed at accelerating emissions reduction and supporting the energy transition.
Peter Vun, Program Lead for Energy Management and Net Zero Strategy at Ku-ring-gai Council, provided an update on local programs supporting emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and renewable energy adoption, including the implementation of the Towards Zero Emissions 2030 Action Plan.
Panel Discussion: Powering Tomorrow Together
A key highlight of the evening was the panel discussion titled “Powering Tomorrow Together – The Local Path to a Clean Energy Future”, moderated by Nicolette Boele.
The panel brought together a diverse group of experts and advocates, including:
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Kate Wilson, independent climate and sustainability advisor
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Jenny Merkley, NSW Government Climate Change and Energy Department
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Tim Buckley, Director of Climate Energy Finance
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Rod Sharples, community energy advocate and member of Electrifying Bradfield and EnergyZE North Shore
The discussion explored practical pathways for accelerating the transition to clean energy at a local level, including the role of households, businesses, finance, and community-led initiatives. The panel emphasised that meaningful progress required collaboration across sectors, along with informed leadership and local engagement.
Event Program and Flow
The evening followed a structured program designed to maximise both information sharing and audience engagement:
The event began with meet-and-greet networking at 6:00 pm, followed by formal welcomes and introductions at 6:50 pm delivered by Adrienne McLean and Sarah Winn.
At 7:00 pm, the keynote presentation by Dr Foley set the strategic context for the evening, followed by presentations from Jenny Merkley and Peter Vun at 7:20 pm.
The panel discussion commenced at 7:30 pm, featuring all panel members and offering a wide-ranging conversation on energy transition challenges and opportunities. This was followed by an audience Q&A session at 8:00 pm, allowing attendees to engage directly with speakers.
The formal program concluded at 8:40 pm, with networking continuing until close at 9:00 pm.
A Collaborative and Forward-Focused Event
Registration for the Summit had been free, with strong interest and limited capacity ensuring a full and engaged audience. Attendees were encouraged to share the invitation widely within their professional and community networks to broaden participation and discussion.
The event successfully delivered a balanced program combining high-level policy insight, technical expertise, and practical local application. It reinforced the importance of collaboration between business, government, and community stakeholders in achieving meaningful progress toward net zero outcomes.
About the Hosts and Speakers
The Summit was jointly led by community and business leaders committed to practical climate action and regional collaboration.
Adrienne McLean, President of the Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce, has long been an advocate for local business growth, collaboration, and sustainable economic development across the region.
Sarah Winn, Chair of EnergyZE North Shore Inc, has focused on community-led climate action, connecting households and businesses with practical pathways toward clean energy adoption.
Together, they played a key role in bringing stakeholders together to ensure the Summit remained grounded in both practical outcomes and local relevance.