The Committee for Greater Shepparton's 'Unlocking Energy in Australia's Foodbowl' event attracted 170 attendees from across the region.
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Greater Shepparton's status as a key Australian food and manufacturing powerhouse was on full display last month, with experts urging the region to take on the challenge of clean energy.
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More than 170 industry, government and education leaders gathered at The Woolshed in Emerald Bank, Kialla on May 26 for the Committee for Greater Shepparton's major forum, Unlocking Energy for Australia's Foodbowl.
The event presented a clear message: the decisions made today will determine whether the Goulburn Valley economy can reach its potential.
The region’s economy is already worth $9.9 billion, growing 21.9 per cent between 2020 and 2024, with unemployment sitting at just 2.8 per cent.
Local manufacturing is also outpacing the state, growing at 1.5 per cent against Victoria's 0.7 per cent average.
With about 85 per cent of Australian exports heading to countries that have made net-zero pledges, the event’s speakers said the pressure to decarbonise is not coming ‒ it is already here.
Next-generation vehicles were also on show, including a Volvo electric prime mover, Toyota hydrogen-powered vehicle, and a LiuGong electric earthmover.
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Committee for Greater Shepparton CEO Linda Nieuwenhuizen told the forum the question was not whether the Goulburn Valley would transition, but how it would capture the benefits.
"Our challenge is not whether, but how we can ensure Goulburn Valley sites capture the benefits of new energy sources and technology," she said.
The forum heard that practical solutions were already operating in the region.
One example was Shepperton-based battery manufacturer, Complete Power Partners, who export to mining and remote sites across Australia and Oceania, helping reduce diesel use by up to 80 per cent.
Another example is in Wodonga, where Mars Petcare is transforming its factory into Australia's first large steam manufacturing site powered entirely by renewables, cutting up to 4000 tonnes of emissions annually.
The event’s panels spanned energy networks, freight decarbonisation and skills training, delivering a consistent theme: the tools exist, now Greater Shepparton needs to use them.
