In your role at Powerlink Queensland, what are the big questions that keep you up at night right now?

How do we better demonstrate the local economic benefits to communities as part of new energy infrastructure investment?

How do we ensure a safe environment for engagement teams out in the field having challenging conversations with landholders and communities?

With rising transmission costs, how do we build as little network as possible while still connecting sufficient generation and storage to provide a secure supply for customers?

What are the most exciting opportunities for the energy sector that could emerge before 2030?

I think a vital missing piece at the moment is a robust coordinated community investment model that would allow for government, renewable developers and transmission to pool money to ensure lasting legacy benefits to communities hosting energy infrastructure.

What’s the one thing in the energy sector that no one is talking about, but should be?

Road safety is an emerging issue. Our research shows that it is increasingly front of mind for communities with energy infrastructure projects. It is a broad issue covering everything from safe driving behaviours to damage to local roads, to increased biosecurity risks and impacts on agricultural operations.

Like many issues in the energy sector, it will require all parts of government and industry working together with community to develop improved practices. The Energy Charter is about to commence work on this important issue.

Join us at Australian Energy Week 17-20 June 2025 to hear more from Powerlink and a host of other energy leaders. Learn more.