Name
Anna Mildner
Job title
Principal Consultant
Organisation
RPS Consulting
Speaker biography
Anna has 10 years’ experience as an environmental consultant, delivering regulatory approvals, baseline surveys and due diligence for offshore wind, onshore renewables and transport. She has been at the forefront of offshore wind for the past 6 years and is an experienced project manager for large infrastructure projects, including managing the offshore EIA for Star of the South, Australia’s most developed offshore wind farm. Anna has an in depth understanding of approvals complexity under Victorian and Commonwealth legislation and has experience across jurisdictions, writing and leading specialist impact assessments for complex state and federal approvals including state significant infrastructure.
Speaking At
Presentation title
Planning for Success: Navigating Offshore Wind Approvals in Australia’s Emerging Market
Presentation summary
Australia’s offshore wind sector is at a critical juncture—poised to accelerate the energy transition but facing complex environmental and planning challenges in an immature market. This presentation draws on RPS’s experience in Australia to reveal what it takes to create the conditions for success. We explore lessons learned in navigating unprecedented regulatory pathways and anticipate the implications of EPBC Act reforms in 2026. Central to success has been delivering integrated offshore and onshore technical studies that underpin defensible impact assessments, while managing stakeholder engagement across fisheries, ports, aviation, and coastal communities. Key innovations include survey designs tailored to Australian conditions, streamlined approvals through aligned evidence packages, and clear public-facing materials to support informed dialogue. Finally, we share practical strategies for addressing uncertainty and meeting tight timelines tied to grid and policy targets—risk-based decision frameworks, staged study programs, and adaptive management triggers. Attendees will gain actionable insights to de-risk projects, accelerate approvals, and build resilient planning approaches for Australia’s offshore wind future.
