Regional Councils play a critical role in ensuring renewable energy development is fair, well managed and delivers lasting local value. Drawing on our work with regions, The Next Economy is mapping how Councils contribute at each stage of the development pathway to secure long-term community benefits.
We know our place really well and we put our communities at the forefront of our decisions
Council participant at the inaugural Regional Leaders Summit, August 2025, Newcastle
Councils across Australia are being pragmatic and strategic about renewable energy development in their region – focussing on what they can do to make the most of the situation, to minimise impacts and leverage the potential for the long-term local outcomes they want.
So, what is involved in achieving that?
In short – A lot.
Drawing on work in regions such as Uralla and Hay as well as recent workshops at the Regional Leaders Summit and Gippsland New Energy Conference, The Next Economy has developed insights into the activities Councils are implementing to improve the outcomes of renewable energy development and create shared strategic value across Australia.
In mapping these over the last few months the following two groups of Council activities have emerged:
1. Development Pathway Activities: These capture the types of actions Councils can take at different stages of the renewable energy project development pathway to:
- ensure community participation and development that is shaped by local knowledge and priorities;
- manage unwanted impacts on the community, local infrastructure, environment and local economy, and;
- facilitate development in a way that creates lasting value.
The development pathway mapping helps to answer questions such as:
- What community engagement activities, plans and documents help Councils demonstrate they are representing their region, and at what stage of the renewable energy development pathway should that work happen?
- What service and infrastructure upgrades – from roads and housing to water and waste – need to be prioritised to minimise local disruptions, development delays, and to leverage improved long term infrastructure outcomes for the community?
Timing is a critical factor for these activities, with many needing to be addressed, at or before, different points along the renewable energy development pathway (spanning pre-feasibility, through to construction, operation and end of life).
2. Foundational Council Activities – These are the essential, ongoing work that underpins the Development Pathway Activities and help to form part of the enabling environment for strong regional partnerships through development. The foundations include:
- Capacity and capability building
- Leadership, coordination and collaboration
- Advocacy and inclusion
- Regular, clear and honest communication and engagement with the community
Lisa Lumsden, Senior Project Officer, notes:
Councils can and are contributing to local outcomes from renewable energy development…these insights highlight how critical it is to resource Councils and regional leaders appropriately.
The Next Economy is continuing to bring these insights together, working with regional leaders and Councils to get feedback and explore how best to share them – both to highlight the solutions being pioneered locally and to inspire and support other regions across Australia grappling with similar changes and opportunities.
To find out more, follow The Next Economy on LinkedIn for updates and resources as they become available.