Each leader was given the opportunity to raise their ideas via an online application, and participants were invited to vote on the boldest suggestions.

The event was held to mark WRI's 20^th anniversary, and chief executive officer Kathy Woolley said the top ideas will be pitched to respective stakeholders.

READ ALSO: Bathurst can lead the way on water, says media legend Ita Buttrose

"Around 150 separate ideas were generated from the event, and there was a lot of discussion around population management, how to retain youth in regional areas and strategies to attract people to move outside the capital cities," Ms Woolley said.

"Our next task is to research popular ideas generated from the event to produce detailed submissions for stakeholders."

Catholic Diocese of Bathurst financial administrator Patrick Cooper said the real test will be how business thrive in the online market.

READ ALSO: Eco News | The diagnosis is worrying for our ill planet

"It's critical for the future of regional business to have widespread access to high-speed, fibre-to-the-premises [FTTP] internet," Mr Cooper said.

"The NBN has served its purpose but with many business operations heading online, we need gigabit speeds to grow networking opportunities."

Accumen Accountants and Business Advisors director David Cooke supported an idea to expand waste renewal operations.

"There's a tremendous opportunity to reduce waste from landfill, and we have plenty of room for infrastructure to further promote the benefits of recycling," Mr Cooke said.

READ ALSO: Volunteers ready to get their hands dirty near Evans Bridge

Arts Out West executive director Tracey Callinan suggested the furthered expansion of arts and cultural programs to enhance the appeal of regional communities.

"Creativity plays a vital role in the formation of new ideas, and we're looking to find ways for art and culture to branch out into other sectors," Ms Callinan said.