As part of our mission to reimagine Australia’s economic future, The Next Economy will co-host Sandrine Dixson-Declève, co-president of the Club of Rome and Executive Chair of Earth4All, during her visit to Australia this October.
Dixson-Declève is an internationally renowned thought leader. She leads the Club of Rome’s Earth4All program and recently co-founded the System Transformation Hub.
Among her many appointments, Dixson-Declève serves as an ambassador for the Wellbeing Alliance (WEAll) – an international collaboration working to transform the economic system co-founded by The Next Economy’s very own Dr Katherine Trebeck.
Read more about The Next Economy’s work on economic systems change:
In a time when Earth has crossed multiple planetary boundaries and inequality is driving instabilities in societies worldwide, Dixson-Declève offers vital insights into how we can navigate these challenges.
Sandrine Dixson-Declève, head of the Club of Rome, will visit Australia in October 2024
Trebeck, TNE’s Economic Change Lead, said: “Sandrine’s visit comes at a crucial time for Australia. Debates around our emissions, our energy future, housing, and the cost of living are raging, but they often miss a critical element: what sort of economy needs to be built to enable the society we want on the planet we need?
“Sandrine has an incredible vantage point on this question and does not just offer a reality check on the implausibility of business as usual. She brings a suite of ideas for change and examples of tangible hope.”
Opportunities to hear from and meet Sandrine while she is in Australia include:
Canberra: Wednesday 23 October (6 to 7pm AEDT), ANU’s Planetary Health Equity Hothouse will host a public lecture.Register
Online via Zoom: Thursday 24 October (11am AEDT), Dixson-Declève joins The Australia Institute to explore critical issues and her work on Earth for All, a survival guide to humanity. Register
Melbourne: On Monday 28 October (5.30 to 7.30pm AEDT), join Dixson-Declève and the Centre for Policy Development at the State Library of Victoria. Register
MORE than 20 leaders driving change in communities, the economy, and government across Australia have come together to discuss ways to put people and the planet front and centre when it comes to the Australian economy.
The two-day retreat in Melbourne in August, part of The Next Economy’s new Heading Upstream Lab and supported by Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, explored how change happens in Australia and the barriers and opportunities for addressing the economic roots of our challenges.
Dr Katherine Trebeck, Economic Change Lead at The Next Economy, said:
“Heading Upstream saw some of the best thought leaders in Australia thinking about the economy differently and how it can be shaped to be socially just and sustainable. This paradigm shift involves redefining what we expect the economy to deliver, focusing on what societies need more of, where, and how.
“The retreat revealed a shared commitment to tackling the systemic roots of Australia’s challenges, shifting the focus from reactive responses to proactive, upstream change. It stressed a need to change how we talk about the economy, and recognised the importance of fostering broad, engaged conversation, to ultimately change mindsets.
“Economic decisions often fail to address the root causes or consider the connection between issues, which leads to ineffective solutions or policies that merely patch-up damage once it has been done. This is despite the evidence linking our economic structure to impacts on our health, poverty and inequality as well as environmental damage.
“Action on the economic roots of issues, and considering the interconnections between them, can lead to effective solutions in the short and long-term. This is nothing new, with various schools of thought having highlighted the flaws in treating the economy as an isolated goal for decades. And First Nations communities long demonstrating an approach that acknowledges the interdependence of people, planet and the economy.”
TNE staff at the first-ever Heading Upstream LabChange leaders came together to discuss Australia’s economyThere was space for meaningful conversations and new ideas
Insights and recommendations from the retreat will be published later this year. To stay up to date, subscribe to The Next Economy’s newsletter.
MORE than 85 passionate community members have come together to explore ways to future-proof communities as part of Hay and Carrathool Shire Council’s Resilient Economy Roadmap Project.
The workshops – held in Hay, Rankins Springs, Hillston, Carrathool, Goolgowi and Merriwagga in late June – built on the picture of the region in NSW’s Riverina painted through earlier discussions, workshops and a community survey under the Roadmap project.
Alison McLean, Executive Manager – Economic Development and Tourism at Hay Shire Council said: “From farmers to business owners, grandparents to students, it was great to see such a diverse, passionate range of people show up with a wealth of knowledge and skills and ready to connect with one another and help bring about positive change.
“Together, they worked to identify common challenges, such as strengthening pathways into local employment, as well as opportunities that have the greatest potential to strengthen resilience across the region like diversifying our regional economy and continuing to grow the next generation of community leaders.”
Participants also identified strategies and actions councils, businesses, industries and communities can take over the next decade to leverage new opportunities, address current and emerging challenges and prepare for any future disruptions or change.
Of the experience, one participant noted: “The genuine buy in and contribution from the community members was invaluable”. Another said: “Our region has an optimistic ability to accept change and drive opportunities”.
Insights from the workshops will directly inform the development of the Resilient Economy Roadmap to be delivered in late 2024. Feedback on a draft Roadmap will be sought from the community in the coming months.
McLean added: “I can’t thank participants enough for their time and invaluable knowledge and insights. The voices of the community are vital in the success of this project – and the future of our region.”
The Resilient Economy Roadmap initiative is a collaboration between Hay and Carrathool Shire councils, The Next Economy, The Australian Resilience Centre, and communities across the region. Running from March to October 2024, it is funded jointly by the Australian Government and NSW’s Future Drought Fund and is part of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program.
To stay up to date on the project, follow the Resilient Economy Roadmap Facebook page. For further project information, please contact j.bell@nexteconomy.com.au
Have you ever wondered how inclusive the clean energy workforce is – or could be?
Australia is now firmly in the implementation phase of the energy transition, with more and more employment opportunities in the clean energy workforce. In fact, nearly half a million workers are projected to be needed to reach Australia’s 2030 renewable energy target alone.
The Next Economy is working with a range of stakeholders to explore how to expand the renewable energy workforce to include people who often face systemic barriers to employment. Specifically, in regions with growing demands for workers in clean energy.
The Inclusive Clean Energy Workforce (ICEW) project aims to ignite discussion about how we can work together to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.
Our current discussion paper captures pivotal themes and insights drawn from a desktop review of literature and interviews with stakeholders across the clean energy sector, social services and employment sectors.
In mid-July 2024, we’re hosting a range of workshops to get feedback on this initial piece of work and to dive deeper into opportunities and practical strategies to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in the clean energy workforce.
Opportunities and insights will be captured and shared in a series of sector resources and webinars in the second half of 2024.
Early findings and key points:
Every Australian deserves access to the benefits of clean energy development, including new and existing jobs required for the workforce
The current clean energy sector can improve on diversity, equity and inclusion despite already outperforming other energy sectors including coal and gas
Greater diversity, equity and inclusion not only improves outcomes for individuals, but also can for companies, communities, the sector and the economy
From access to training and education to workplace culture characteristics, there are several systemic, cultural and broader factors and barriers marginalised groups face accessing jobs in the clean energy workforce
Working together, stakeholders from industry, education and training, and civil society can enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in the clean energy workforce
If you’re interested in finding out more, or want to share your insights with us, please contact Jacqui Bell.
Partner with us! An exciting opportunity for one rural or regional community
The transformation of Australia’s energy system is underway, with regional communities playing a crucial role in hosting renewable energy and infrastructure projects. For communities to benefit and actively participate in this transformation, several challenges must first be addressed.
Striking a New Deal (SaND) is a new initiative working directly with community leaders and key stakeholders to drive better outcomes from the development of renewable and infrastructure projects in our regions.
We’re providing resources and support to one community partner for a whole year
SaND will partner with one rural or regional body – a local council, association or organisation – to help your community drive better social and economic outcomes from energy projects in your area.
Whether projects are yet to start, or right in the thick of it, we want to help you work with your community to build the capacity, find points of alignment and develop resources you need to advocate for your immediate and long-term needs.
The one-year program, from August 2024 to August 2025, will be co-designed by you depending on your needs, and the needs of your community. Community benefits can include:
We get it’s not easy to navigate the arrival of renewable energy and negotiate better outcomes for your community. And, from housing shortages to divisions between residents to impacts to nature, there could be multiple important issues to unpack along the way. Let’s work it out together, your way!
What’s the selection process and project timeline?
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) form online by 19 July 2024(the earlier the better!).
On receipt of EOI, eligible hosts will be formally invited to apply by 26 July 2024.
Short-listed applicants will be interviewed in early August 2024.
The project will run to August 2025.
Who is eligible to host the project?
We welcome applications from potential partners in any Australian rural or regional community with renewable energy or infrastructure projects planned or underway in your area.
Strong ties to your community
Capacity to actively participate in a year-long process
An interest in addressing issues and maximising benefits from renewable or infrastructure projects in your community
What are the expectations and costs for the host council, organisation or association?
SaND will cover key costs associated with delivering the program, including:
Our time and expertise
Access to a national network of community leaders and experts
Basic costs of community engagement activities, including venue hire and catering
Engagement with industry and government and communication of project outcomes
The host will need a dedicated contact within their organisation to:
Work with us to design a program specific to their community
Provide links to key stakeholders and organisations within the region
Support the organisation of community workshops and meetings
Champion actions developed through the process
We estimate a two to three hour per week commitment from the contact over the 12-month period, with more time-intensive periods during engagement activities.
What are the benefits of hosting?
Hosting the project offers many benefits for you and your community. This includes:
Support and assistance to plan for and manage for projects in your region
Learn and apply key insights from across Australia to your region
Join a network of regional communities working towards best practices and positive outcomes nationwide.
How does this relate to other community engagement processes occurring in our region?
This project takes a regional approach and works with community groups within a region to: understand each other’s diverse perspectives, to recognise the challenges and identify the opportunities.
This work is important preparation for informed, constructive and productive participation in other community engagement processes occuring in the region and also in negotiations.
By taking a regional approach, this work is place-based, strategic and practical, and is applicable to individual renewable project engagements through to broader REZ or Statewide engagements.
Connect: A national network of regional leaders managing the rollout of large-scale renewables will share knowledge, experience and inform the development of a national, place-based approach adaptable for other communities.
Partner: For one year, we will support a selected regional or rural community partner with the resources, capacity and expertise to drive better outcomes from local projects.
Inform: With our community leaders, we will share our insights with industry and state and federal government to help inform future practices and policies.
We ask Dr Katherine Trebeck, Economic Change Lead at The Next Economy
In a nutshell, what is a wellbeing economy?
An economy designed deliberately to work for people and the planet, not the other way around as so often seems to be the case today. It’s about creating a context in which people thrive, first time around, rather than having to deploy loads of resources trying to fix and repair after damage has been done. This means initiatives that speak to the purpose of the economy, prevention, predistribtion (not just redistribution), and a people powered economy.
So, it requires thinking about what activities we need more of because they help create that context and finding ways to expand those activities: being selective about what is growing, rather than pursuit of any sort of growth.
Are there any examples of using this framework successfully? If so, how?
Think about the wellbeing economy not so much as a framework, but more as a paradigm. It requires a substantial shift in how the economy is thought about and approached. It is about seeing the economy as a mechanism to meet our real goals, and certainly not something to which all other goals are subservient. Not only are we seeing a growing conversation and emerging such as the Wellbeing Economy Alliance initiatives where people are coming together to promote the agenda or its component parts, but there are loads of examples of governments and enterprises making the sort of changes that are necessary. For example:
Multidimensional measurement dashboards (Australia’s Measuring What Matters statement is an example of this) and support for social enterprises (the recently announced Social Enterprise Development Initiative, for example)
Circular economy production and public transport systems
Community or worker owned businesses such as the Earth Worker Cooperative in Victoria
Considering the environmental cost of the things we buy.
The challenge is that while there is no shortage of examples, often they are the exception that proves the rule. One nice illustration of the potential for this is seen in the Community Wealth Building work happening in places like Cleveland in the US and in Preston in the UK (plus in various parts of Australia too). In Preston, there has been research which shows the council’s efforts to procure locally, to support local businesses and local employment has meant the local economy has been more resilient, but also people’s mental health and reported personal wellbeing has improved.
How might the principles of a wellbeing economy help address current challenges posed by high cost of living pressures?
A key feature of a wellbeing economy approach is to look at the root causes of an issue, and not just respond crisis to crisis, symptom to symptom.
So in terms of cost-of-living pressures and high housing costs as a key part of that, a wellbeing economy approach would entail examining the way the housing market operates – who owns the houses? What taxes and incentives encourage the sort of ownership patterns that are forcing up prices? Why aren’t there more community housing cooperatives and other modes of providing housing in Australia?
It would then step back and reflect on what the ultimate goal is – shelter for people in Australia’s towns and cities. It would then think about what needs to change in the economy for more people to have access to good quality shelter – perhaps that means shifting taxes to discourage people owning more and more homes as investment devices? Perhaps that means changing planning laws to enable more community groups to co-own housing? Perhaps that means ensuring homes are built with high energy efficiency standards so once people move into them, they aren’t spending huge amounts on heating and cooling them.
And speaking of energy efficiency, a wellbeing economy approach is also about being ambitious for flow-on benefits – so if housing is being built, can it help address environmental challenges by needing less carbon and using more recycled materials? Can it help address equity and inclusion by being built by companies employing local people, which have gender balance in their teams, and which pay living wages etc? And can it help roll out models of enterprise that have a social purpose at their heart, so could the houses be owned by a housing cooperative?
How might Australia adopt a wellbeing economy framework? What are the steps that need to happen?
There’s a precondition for government acting – that’s people talking about it, and being able to imagine an economy that serves them, not the other way around: an economy that doesn’t generate so much inequality and put so much pressure on the planet. That will be helped by learning about examples of this in practice, even in small scale. Then policy makers need to step in to design the rules of the game so those good examples are common place.
What would a state or federal budget for a wellbeing economy look like?
It would use things like taxes and subsidies to support the sort of activities which are good for people and planet, and to discourage those that aren’t. In other words, it would ask what we need more of and how can mechanisms in the budget help cultivate them?
With the support of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, The Next Economy is convening an ‘Upstream Lab’ to explore the economic root causes of many of today’s challenges, including how to take action where there is scope to prevent harm happening in the first place. More details to come as we roll out this exciting initiative.
Senior leaders in investment, state and federal government, industry, and local community groups came together in Gladstone, Central Queensland to identify ways to solve regional just transition funding barriers and facilitate timely resourcing to where it is needed most.
As the global race to decarbonise economies accelerates, Deloitte Access Economics estimates that over $400 billion of private and public investment is required to transform Australia’s emission-intensive economy into a productive, competitive net-zero economy by 2050.
The Gladstone Transition Investor Experience, which ran 6 to 9 May 2024, shone a spotlight on the transition in the Gladstone region. Like other key regions across Australia, Gladstone’s economic ties to emissions-intensive industries present both significant climate-related transition risks and major opportunities to develop and diversify the local economy for long-term resilience and prosperity.
The Federal Government’s recently made a critical minerals project funding announcement, including $400 million in new loans for Alpha HPA’s high-purity alumina processing facility in Gladstone.
A summary of The Next Economy’s address to a special senate committee hearing on bills relating to the Net Zero Economy Authority.
Participants connected around the key issues and opportunities that exist in the transformation of regional economies like Gladstone, through a range of site visits, roundtable discussions, guest presentations, workshops, and networking activities.
The Gladstone experience was a great way to get under the hood of a transitioning region, hear from industry and decision-makers regarding the levers that are being pulled to make change. We had access to a curated group of individuals and organisations, each pulling for change.
Participant
The event is hosted by The Next Economy (TNE) in partnership with the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR). Following further engagement, TNE will publish a summary of key findings and recommendations identified at the event in mid-2024.
Here’s what some of the organisers had to say ahead of the event:
Regional communities and industries are increasingly facing complex challenges and opportunities as they navigate the transition to a net zero economy. From developing new industries and technologies to supporting governance and welfare models, government and private investment is critical to setting regions up for the future.
The Gladstone Transition Investor Experience connects senior leaders from across government, investment, industry and community to have the meaningful conversations needed to solve funding barriers and facilitating the timely flow of resources so regions can get on with the job.
Dr Amanda Cahill, CEO TNE
Each year, FRRR receives thousands of grant applications, which demonstrates that remote, rural and regional communities want to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to their region’s future. That applies to energy and climate transition too.
The Gladstone Investor Experience is bringing together key organisations who can help address the challenges that emerge when navigating rural energy transition. We’re delighted to be part of this event and look forward to exploring how different types of funding and investment can help just transitions to occur and ensure that regional communities have a better seat at the table and are engaged in designing the opportunities.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRR
Members of the Investor Group on Climate Change have a legal obligation to deliver good retirement savings for around 15 million Australians. A fast and fair transition will deliver the best returns to allow people to retire with dignity, but that won’t happen by accident.
Without planning and co-ordination Australia’s transition will become disorderly and increase the costs to everyone. We’re supporting the Gladstone Transition Investor Experience because credible regional transition plans and essential for delivering the capital needed to support this transition to net zero emissions.
Erwin Jackson, Managing Director of Policy at Investor Group on Climate Change
More than 80 primary producers and community members joined both Hay and Carrathool shire councils and The Next Economy (TNE) at a series of workshops to explore barriers and opportunities for strengthening community resilience and driving good economic development in the region.
Situated within Australia’s renowned ‘food bowl’ in the Riverina region of southwest New South Wales, the Hay and Carrathool Shire communities boast a rich legacy in agriculture and primary production.
The five workshops, held between 8 and 12 April 2024, brought together representatives from local businesses, community organisations, community services and primary production to identify what makes the region work now as well as opportunities and potential directions for good regional development that drives a strong, vibrant and climate resilient future.
Feedback from workshop participants included:
It was great to see so many community members turn up and be involved.
and
It was good to feel like community members are important in decision making.
The workshops marked the official start of extensive community engagement activities as part of Hay and Carrathool Shire Councils’ development of the 10-year Resilient Economy Roadmap initiative.
The Roadmap will outline practical actions councils, business, industries and communities can take over the next decade to diversify their economies while building resilience in the face of change and disruption. This includes economic, social, cultural and environmental resilience.
The project comes at a pivotal moment for the region as communities navigate a range of growing challenges and disruptions, including rising living costs, climate impacts from recent flood events to prolonged droughts, and the impact of the decarbonisation of global supply chains.
Jacqui Bell, TNE’s Land Use Director, said:
“These communities have a golden opportunity to stay strong now and into the future. To do that, they’re coming together to identify how to overcome barriers, diversify economies and build resilience.
“The level of engagement with the Roadmap project demonstrates the region has a network of strategic local leaders and champions who are passionate about their communities, economy and the future of the region.
“Community members, business owners and representatives from the primary production industry we’ve engaged with so far are constantly adapting and innovating in response to changes in the local climate and global economy. It was great to see such overwhelming interest in working collaboratively to shape the region’s future.”
The Resilient Economy Roadmap initiative is a collaboration between Hay and Carrathool Shire councils, The Next Economy, The Australian Resilience Centre, and communities across the region. Running from March to October 2024, it is funded jointly by the Australian Government and NSW’s Future Drought Fund and is part of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program.
To stay up to date on the project, follow the Resilient Economy Roadmap Facebook page. For further project information, please contact j.bell@nexteconomy.com.au
On Tuesday 23 April 2024, The Next Economy’s CEO Dr Amanda Cahill addressed a Senate Committee Public Hearing in Canberra on the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024 and the Net Zero Economy Authority (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024.
Dr Cahill recognised the importance of a national independent authority to support workers, industries, and regional communities to manage the transition to net zero.
She also highlighted the need for a broadening of the scope of the Authority to ensure it is fit for purpose long into the future. TNE’s four key recommendations were to:
Expand the Authority’s role to support coal mining and gas regions not tied to domestic energy generation (fossil fuel exports) and other regions and economic sectors beyond fossil fuels (e.g. agricultural and critical mineral regions)
Provide direct support to regions to build capacity to enable them to undertake place-based planning and coordination to better manage the complex range of tasks required over time (e.g. from investment and support to long-term community benefits)
For the Authority to have independent funding to distribute at its own discretion to support regional planning, decision making, and economic development activities related to the transition.
Have at least one NZEA board member with substantial experience in regional development, community development and/or the social sector.
In response to the Federal Government’s critical minerals project funding announcement, including a welcome $400 million in new loans for Alpha HPA’s high-purity alumina processing facility in Gladstone, The Next Economy CEO Amanda Cahill said:
“This is a good example of the role we need government to play if we are to unlock private investment and support regional communities to manage this massive transformation. It is this kind of support that helps Gladstone to attract new investment under the region’s 10-year Economic Roadmap, showing just what’s possible if communities, governments and industries come together to meaningfully address change.
“Australia is blessed with abundant resources, but this can be a curse if development is not done well with boom-and-bust cycles contributing to a range of challenges such as exacerbating housing and workforce shortages. We need a new, holistic approach to regional development so that profits are shared equitably, the rights of First Nations people are respected, and environmental impacts are avoided. For example, in some places companies are looking at how they can reduce the need for new extractive projects by adopting circular economy approaches, such as the mining of existing tailings.”
Read more about Gladstone’s 10-year Economic Roadmap, developed in partnership with The Next Economy.
In response to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Future Made in AustraliaAct announcement and address at the Queensland Media Club today, Dr Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy, said:
“This is an important announcement at a pivotal time for Australia as the world races to decarbonise. Everyone is competing to build the industries that will be the basis of national prosperity, which means everyone is competing for the same components needed to build a renewable future.
“For the first time in decades, Australia can expand its manufacturing base to meet this domestic and international demand. Small, medium and large-scale companies across Queensland in regions like Central Queensland, Townsville and Mt Isa are already manufacturing RE components like towers for wind turbines, inputs for solar panels and electronics, processing important minerals like copper, bauxite and zinc, making green chemicals and hydrogen, and even batteries and electric vehicles.
“We hear from industry everywhere that government support like this is crucial to unlock private investment. Public finance has always played an important role in moments of large-scale and rapid transformation, from setting up the mining industry to building electricity and transport infrastructure. This moment of transformation is no different.
“This level of government ambition offers huge potential for regions like Gladstone in Central Queensland, where local government is already attracting new investment and government support under their 10-year Economic Transition Roadmap. But only if it’s approached holistically and that means ensuring better support for essential services and housing so that communities genuinely benefit over the long term.”
Between February and June 2023, The Next Economy explored a range of perspectives among Latrobe Valley community leaders with regards to the energy transition.
The project involved hosting a series of interviews and workshops that engaged 31 community members, including First Nations people and young people, people from the multicultural community, grassroots environment groups, small businesses and the social service sector.
The report makes visible the wealth of experiences, insights and knowledge that exists in communities across the region and demonstrates how the local community can be a valuable partner in working towards good transition outcomes for the Latrobe Valley region.
The main project finding is that community members see a range of potential benefits from the energy transition, beyond job creation and Australia’s national decarbonisation agenda. If managed well, the transition could provide opportunities to transform the systems that underpin society, the regional economy, and people’s relationship with the local environment.
The key themes presented in the report are:
Socio-economic disadvantage, equity issues and liveability
Community Participation
Institutional capacity and good governance
Environmental protection, remediation and rehabilitation
First Nations leadership
New energy development
Regional economic development
Workforce development
To find out more, download a copy of the What Next? Community Perspectives on the Energy Transition in the Latrobe Valley.
Gladstone Regional Council launched its 10-year economic transition roadmap to support and guide Queensland’s industrial capital to becoming a renewable energy superpower in 2022.
The roadmap sees the region in prime position to respond to once-in-a-generation changes in the energy sector.
The Next Economy collaborated with Gladstone Regional Council to develop the detailed roadmap, which is the result of two years of research and extensive engagement involving 220 community, government and industry stakeholders. This included industry representatives, First Nations people, energy workers, environment groups and education and training institutions.
The Gladstone Region Economic Transition Roadmap guides Council on what is required to adapt to a rapidly changing energy sector and support a positive economic transition for its community over the next 10 years. Key themes of the roadmap include:
The Hay and Carrathool Regional Drought Resilience Plan (‘The Plan’) is a strategic framework shaping the future of the region through 2035. It is due for official release later this year.
This summary paper outlines the key elements of The Plan we are currently seeking feedback on, including our 2035 vision, resilience strategies, and priority actions.
The summary paper can be downloaded in PDF format below:
Co-hosted by Melbourne Climate Futures on 17 February 2022, The Next Economy organised an International Roundtable which brought together over 40 leading Australian, German and Polish thinkers who are deeply engaged in the question of how we manage change in the energy sector.
Communities in Australia’s coal and gas heartlands say they need greater federal support and policy to mange the energy transition and make the most of economic opportunities.
A major new report from The Next Economy released today has found that regional Australia is undergoing an economic transformation, with historical coal and gas heartlands like Central Queensland, The Hunter Valley and the Latrobe Valley in pole position to capitalise on the global shift to net zero emissions – with appropriate Federal Government leadership, investment and support.
For‘What regions need on the path to net zero’,The Next Economy engaged with over 500 people and organisations across regional Queensland, NSW, Victoria, WA and the NT to assess the support communities with close ties to fossil fuels need to manage the inevitable and accelerating transition to net zero emissions.
Participants included representatives of government, the energy sector, diverse industries, unions, economic development agencies, social services, universities and training institutions, Traditional Owners and First Nations groups, community members and environment organisations.
The research revealed a high level of consensus on a key theme – greater leadership is needed from the Federal Government, revolving around three key calls to action:
An honest conversation: The Federal Government must be open and honest about what the changing energy system means for regional Australia.
A clear, well resourced plan: The Federal Government needs to put in place the appropriate targets, policies and regulatory frameworks to guide investment, and to ensure that regional workers and communities are not left behind – such as a national transition authority.
A strong democracy: The Federal Government must put in place measures to improve the health of our democracy – such as protection of public servants and decision-making from political interference, banning political donations, and a national corruption watchdog.
Dr Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy, said “The discussion about energy futures in regional Australia has changed dramatically since the federal election in 2019.
“When we started our consultations two and a half years ago, most people were questioning the whole concept of the energy transition. Now people see that things are changing quickly, with early closure announcements for coal plants, our trading partners increasing their climate ambitions and the rapid expansion of renewable energy projects across the country. They want to see a clear plan and support so they can manage these changes.
“If we want to take advantage of the wide range of new economic opportunities available – in renewable energy generation and storage, the mining and processing of critical minerals needed for renewable energy, and the manufacturing of projects like green hydrogen, batteries, renewable energy components, biofuels and other products – we need to act now.
“Business has been leading the way in terms of investing in the new industries we need to develop to reduce our dependence on coal and gas export revenue. But it’s not enough and even industry players are now calling on the Federal Government for greater policy certainty and new regulatory frameworks to ensure that development is done well and actually benefits regions over the long term.”
“The new federal government has a lot of work to do”, Dr Cahill said. “I hope it shows the leadership and vision to grasp this once-in-a-generation opportunity, and to step up to the task of supporting our regions as the energy system changes.”
Contact us for a copy of the report.
To view our presentation of the report, click below to watch our webinar on Wednesday, 11 May where we were joined by Professor John Wiseman and Dr Gareth Edwards, followed by a Q&A session with participants.
Have your say in online survey about ‘Energising the Future Economy of the Gladstone Region’.
Locals across the Gladstone Region are invited to participate in an online survey to share their thoughts on the future changes to the energy sector and how the region can take advantage of emerging changes to generate new economic opportunities.
The survey content has been generated following a series of in-depth community and industry forums involving people from across the region.
Acting Gladstone Region Mayor Kahn Goodluck says Council would like to know if other residents share these views.
“Council recognises that the unfolding changes in the energy sector pose both challenges and opportunities for the Gladstone Region and people working in industry,” Councillor Goodluck said.
“This online survey is part of our joint initiative with The Next Economy – Energising the Gladstone Region Future Economy.
“Feedback from community, government, industry and other stakeholder groups will guide us on what is required to adapt to a changing energy sector and to support our region over the next 10 years.”
The Queensland economy is being transformed as the world embraces the challenge to phase out fossil fuels and rapidly expand renewable energy generation in pursuit of net zero emissions goals. As one of the world’s biggest exporters of coal and gas, and with an ongoing reliance on coal fired electricity generation, these changes pose huge risks to the Queensland economy. They also present us with massive economic opportunities, given the state’s abundance of solar, wind and mineral resources.
The experiences of other regions and countries demonstrates that change can be managed well, but it requires a high degree of leadership, resourcing and coordination from government. Transition authorities have proven a successful vehicle to support governments in this task by bringing together stakeholders from across government, industry and the community to plan and coordinate efforts to proactively manage the phase out of fossil fuels and expansion of renewable energy.
Gladstone locals are invited to share their thoughts on the future energy system and how the region can take advantage of emerging changes to generate new economic opportunities at upcoming community forums hosted by The Next Economy, on 19 and 20 March, 2022.
Listen to our CEO, Dr Amanda Cahill on local radio talk about the importance of having your say.
These forums are part of a new initiative of Gladstone Regional Council – Energising the Gladstone Region’s Future Economy. Feedback from community, government, industry and other stakeholder groups will guide the Council on what is required to adapt to a changing energy sector and to support our region over the next ten years.
“This project is leading the way in Central Queensland, using an inclusive and interactive planning process to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition. We’ll be designing a roadmap for the Gladstone Region over the next ten years to help navigate changes in the energy sector that directly impact the local economy,” said Dr Amanda Cahill, Chief Executive Officer of The Next Economy.
“We are already seeing a lot of change across Central Queensland. The Gladstone Region is particularly well positioned to take advantage of new economic opportunities as we shift to new energy solutions, but we also need to plan ahead to manage the potential impacts on our regional economy and build community resilience,” added Dr. Cahill.
Attendees at the community forums at Agnes Water on Saturday 19 March and Gladstone on Sunday 20 March will explore the impact that changes to the energy system are having on the region and have their say about what they want for the future.
Gladstone Region Deputy Mayor Kahn Goodluck said The Next Economy will present the most recent information on energy trends, as well as how renewable energy and other emerging technologies have the potential to boost the local economy.
“The forums will cover topics such as supporting and developing the local workforce, energy affordability, diversifying the economy, and protecting land and water resources,” Clr Goodluck said.
“For those who prefer an online option, we encourage you to join the online forum on Wednesday 30 March.”
The Gladstone Regional Council initiative is delivered in partnership with The Next Economy and is made possible with funding from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
We welcome everyone to participate in the forums, whether you’re an interested resident, First Nations representative, worker, farmer or local business owner. The forums are free to attend, but registration is essential to ensure that we can organise the forums in line with COVID-safe practices.
For more information and to register, please visit Gladstone Regional Council here:
Date: Saturday 19 March 2022 Location: Agnes Water Time: 9am to 2.30pm Venue: Agnes Water Community Centre 71 Springs Rd, Agnes Water
Date: Sunday 20 March 2022 Location: Gladstone Time: 9am to 2.30pm Venue: Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct, Maxine Brushe Rooms, Gladstone
Date: Wednesday 30 March 2022 Format: Online community forum Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm
We recently made a submission to the senate enquiry into the closure of the Hazelwood and Yallourn power stations in Victoria. This submission responds to the three points listed in the inquiry Terms of Reference, outlined below:
(a) impact of the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station on the economy and jobs of the Latrobe Valley, and the success or otherwise of economic recovery efforts to date;
(b) expected economic impacts of the proposed closure of Yallourn Power Station in 2028 and options the State Government can pursue to offset the loss of more than 1,000 direct jobs from the plant, as well as associated contractors;
(c) success or otherwise of the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) to help the region transition, in light of the decline of funding made available to the LVA over successive State Budgets.
We worked with the Queensland government’s Just Transitions Group to develop transition related policies and programs, including the Energy Transition Roadshow (in Rockhampton, Gladstone, Townsville and Cairns) funded by the Queensland Government in 2019/20. The TNE team brought together all levels of government, industry, unions, universities, environment and community groups together to explore how the energy transition was impacting on regions and how it could generate new economic opportunities.
We worked with Stanwell in the development of their corporate strategy, which has led to the company not only integrating transition planning into their five-year strategy but has also led to the development of a workforce and community engagement plan to enable the company to start talking about the inevitability of transition out of coal.
In the wake of the 2019 Federal Election, TNE was able to share the findings of previous transition strategy workshops undertaken in the Hunter Valley and Queensland to challenge the divisive rhetoric that all of regional Australia (especially Queensland) was actively opposed to and in denial of the energy transition. The results from the workshops were used in a widely-shared Guardian article written by CEO Amanda Cahill, that showed that many people were starting to accept that the transition is inevitable, and that there were a number of economic challenges across regional Australia that was exacerbating fear, uncertainty and division.
This article caught the attention of the Deputy Premier of Queensland, who was concerned about the growing division across the State. At the invitation of the Deputy Premier, Amanda participated in a community forum, where she challenged the government’s view that they should avoid talking about transition. Subsequent meetings led to Amanda convincing the State Government to fund the Energy Transitions Roadshow.
The Central Queensland Energy Futures Summit was a gathering of over 140 stakeholders, in Gladstone in April 2021, representing local and state government, energy companies and regulators, industrial sectors, unions, education and training institutions, Traditional Owners and environmental groups.
Amanda Cahill speaks at the summit
The Summit was hosted by The Next Economy and would not have been possible without the generous support of the sponsors Stanwell, CleanCo, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), CQUniversity and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
This report by The Next Economy summarises the activities over the two days and the key messages that came out of audience participation.
