2025 Surat Basin Coexistence Symposium

We're proud to host the Surat Basin Coexistence Symposium in its inaugural year on Thursday, 31 July 2025 in the Western Downs. 

Hear real life experiences and learn what’s work what hasn’t and what the future holds

This pivotal event aims to bring together energy and agriculture companies, industry and local stakeholders to share their experiences and insights on coexistence in a region renowned for its mature energy and agricultural landscapes.

The primary objective of the conference is to highlight the collaborative efforts between landholders and energy companies in our region. Through firsthand experiences and real-world insights, participants will gain insight into the challenges and successes of working together and explore how we can continue to work together to form sustainable, enduring relationships particularly exploring environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements and meeting industry and community expectations.

Join us at the inaugural Surat Basin Coexistence Conference to be part of these vital conversations and contribute to shaping the future of the Toowoomba and Surat Basin region. Together, we can harness the potential of the energy landscape while preserving and enhancing our agricultural heritage.

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Cathy McGowan AO – Former Member of Indi and current Chair of AgriFutures

Cathy came to national attention when she won the seat of Indi as an independent in 2013. During her time as a politician Cathy actively worked in Parliament to develop policy around regional development, constitutional change for first nations people and a solution to the indefinite detention of asylum seekers.

Leaving Politics, Cathy was appointed Chair of the AgriFutures Australia, a leading agricultural research and development corporation. She has taken a particular interest in the impact on rural and regional communities of the transition to net zero.

Warwick Squire - Chief Executive Officer, Coexistence Queensland

Warwick Squire is an experienced executive with over 20 years experience across mining, resources, energy, agriculture and natural resource management. He has extensive expertise cultivating productive relationships, particularly in the resources and agricultural sectors, throughout rural and regional communities. Currently, Warwick is Chief Executive Officer of the Coexistence Queensland, a role which has seen him work extensively with rural landholders, communities, agricultural and resource and energy companies, peak bodies and three tiers of Government to achieve positive coexistence outcomes.

Jo Sheppard – CEO, Queensland Farmers’ Federation

Formerly an elected councillor for 12 years including Mayor for 4 years with the Paroo Shire Council, Jo has a sound understanding of regional and remote Queensland and extensive experience in economic development and advocacy. Other roles have included CEO with the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, and Director – Stakeholder Engagement with the University of Southern Queensland, Jo is now CEO with the Queensland Farmers Federation. QFF is Queensland’s peak agricultural representative body, working collaboratively with its peak body members to progress issues and challenges facing farmers across the State. Collectively, QFF through its peak body members represent over 13,000 Queensland farmers.

Katie-Anne Mulder - CEO, Queensland Renewable Energy Council

Katie-Anne has over 15 years’ experience in industry development and policy and is the CEO of the Queensland Renewable Energy Council, representing large scale renewable energy development across Queensland. Katie-Anne’s experience is grounded in representing and advising large scale industries on leading practice regulatory frameworks across the mining and gas industries and now the renewable energy industry. Working at both the Federal and State levels of government, Katie-Anne has a deep understanding of policy development and pathways to implement and review.

Keld Knudsen – Director, Queensland - Australian Energy Producers

Keld is an experienced policy and government relations professional with an in-depth understanding of the upstream petroleum industry, energy markets and related policy issues. Keld has held positions in government, industry and representative associations.

Caitlin McConnel, Australian Farmer & Lawyer

Caitlin McConnel is recognised as a young leader and top agribusiness professional in Australia, and in 2024 was recognised as one of the most influential lawyers in Australasia aged under 40 who have had an extraordinary impact on the profession or society given her unique experience as a sixthgeneration farmer and strategic legal advisor. Until December 2024, she worked at Australia law firm Clayton Utz as a commercial litigator and environmental lawyer and has extensive experience acting as a non-executive director for several not-for-profit organisations in the Australian agricultural sector, including as Chair of the Future Farmers Network from November 2021 to November 2024.

Utilising her combined expertise in law and agroecology, Caitlin is now responsible for running her family’s intergenerational farming property, Cressbrook Station, which is the oldest identified family business in Queensland and one of the oldest in Australia still run on the original farm. She manages over 500-head of commercial beef cattle on improved pasture, utilising cell-grazing techniques first implemented by her great-grandfather in the 1920’s to maximise soil health, as well as an emerging pastured egg and apiculture operation. Significantly, Caitlin and her father, Christopher McConnel, are also currently recognised as the only primary producers in Australia with dual-axis solar trackers designed to co-exist with cattle grazing.

In April 2025, Caitlin was appointed as the first female chairperson of the Queensland Rural & Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

Caitlin Crowley, Freelance Journalist

Caitlin is an experienced journalist and after more than a decade working in and leading television newsrooms, Caitlin has pursued new opportunities in digital publishing, event hosting and freelance journalism. Caitlin is fascinated by the opportunities and complex challenges facing communities outside Australia’s capital cities and how the rapidly changing media landscape can continue to meet the needs of the people whose stories she feels privileged to tell.

Michael Katz, CEO, RELA

As the CEO of RELA since its inception in 2020, Michael has pioneered the development and launch of the world’s first renewable energy land marketplace. With 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, academic, and investor, he has collaborated with partners including sovereign wealth funds, universities and the full spectrum of Australian food producers. Michael’s expertise lies in fostering deep collaboration and finding win-win outcomes amongst diverse stakeholders. 

Proudly sponsored by:

View the TSBE General Attendance Terms and Conditions.