Work area: Economic change

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Walking Together: A conversation with Darryl French-Majid, CEO of Esparq Ventures

Esparq Ventures is quietly reshaping the Indigenous business landscape across Northern Australia. In less than two years, its community-led model has supported dozens of Indigenous entrepreneurs to launch and grow ventures across sectors like tourism, agriculture, technology and education. These businesses are creating jobs, building founder confidence, and strengthening local economies – all while staying grounded in culture and Country. 

Esparq Ventures is an Indigenous-led organisation working alongside Indigenous entrepreneurs to grow strong, successful businesses and a thriving First Nations business ecosystem. Founded in 2024, Esparq exists to back Indigenous founders with the tools, networks and support they need to take their ideas to market and succeed on their own terms. This includes building ventures, unlocking new market opportunities, and strengthening the infrastructure needed to support a connected and resilient Indigenous economy. Everything we do is grounded in self-determination and a belief in what’s possible when communities have the resources to shape their own futures. Esparq has 100% Indigenous membership and a majority Indigenous Board.

 To find out more visit: www.esparq.com.au   

Darryl Majid, founder and CEO of Esparq, is modest about his own achievements – but when he speaks about his team, their work, and the people they walk alongside, his enthusiasm is unmistakable. In this conversation, Darryl shares the thinking behind Esparq’s approach, the lessons learned from walking alongside entrepreneurs in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait, and the bold vision driving the company’s next chapter.  

This conversation accompanies Walking Together, Esparq’s first official report, co-authored with The Next Economy, and explores the challenges, opportunities and stories shaping a new Indigenous-led business ecosystem. 

Tell us about your journey – what’s your background, and what inspired you to start Esparq Ventures? 

I started out working in the space as a First Nations Lead, alongside some incredibly talented and passionate people. We were making early progress in building Indigenous social enterprises, and that experience gave me a real sense of what was possible. But it also highlighted the limitations of traditional structures for Indigenous businesses. 

In August 2023, I made the decision to leave and build something new. I’d just become a father, so part of it was necessity – I needed to bring in income. But I also knew I had a unique skill set and a deep passion for this work. I’ve always thrived on the challenge of raising capital and pitching ideas, it scratches a competitive itch for me. 

More importantly, I saw that there were all sorts of people and funders who genuinely wanted to support Indigenous businesses but didn’t know how to connect with the right people or navigate the cultural context. Esparq was born out of that gap – to walk alongside entrepreneurs, unlock opportunities, and build something that could truly shift the landscape. 

You often talk about ‘walking alongside’ entrepreneurs, and it’s the name of the paper, what does that look like in practice? 

It means going the long route. We’re not just handing over a business plan and walking away. We pitch for our clients, call out bad actors, ring government on their behalf. We pool shared resources like bookkeeping. It’s a tough model – expensive and time-intensive – but we believe the long-term investment will pay off. 

We’re deeply embedded in the work. We’re part of the business, not just advisors. That’s what walking alongside really means. 

What are the biggest barriers Indigenous entrepreneurs face – especially in remote or regional areas? Why haven’t traditional investment models worked? 

Capital is the biggest barrier – always. There are lots of other barriers, but they all come back to money. Non-Indigenous entrepreneurs are more likely to have access to family savings or assets they can leverage. That’s not the reality for most Indigenous people. If you don’t have money, you can’t get money. 

Traditional investment models assume that kind of access. They’re built around people who can self-fund or bootstrap. That’s why they haven’t worked – they don’t account for the structural disadvantage Indigenous entrepreneurs face. 

What kind of future do you imagine for Indigenous entrepreneurship, and how does Esparq help bring that to life? 

I imagine a future with more access, more exposure, and more maturity in the Indigenous business sector. Right now, a lot of businesses are sole traders or joint ventures – many are dependent on grants, not loans; not independently owned or scalable. We need to build models that allow Indigenous entrepreneurs to grow and thrive, not just survive. 

Esparq is about creating those models. We’re building businesses that can replicate and scale across northern Australia – like Bush Beef, which allows Indigenous cattle breeders to supply into a single entity to better access markets. Through one business, we can create many. It’s about solving our own problems and using those learnings to drive systems change. 

What strengths do you see in the businesses you work with, and what are some common misconceptions? 

One big misconception is that Indigenous people aren’t entrepreneurial – but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s a genuine entrepreneurial spirit in our communities. People are running multiple micro-businesses, juggling jobs, and constantly innovating. In the past two weeks alone, we’ve had leads ranging from drone tech to AI tools for classrooms. The ideas are out there. 

The strength lies in the people.  

We look for founders with tenacity, creativity and character … the kind of high-agency individuals who move with urgency, challenge the status quo and find a way to keep going when others stop looking. Like the woman who catered for a full group from a tiny kitchen with a single burner — and still delivered unforgettable food, by boat. Or the tourism founder who couldn’t get funding, but rallied volunteers, built partnerships and got a bus on the road to market his vision. You can’t help or teach this stuff. The rest – pricing, bookkeeping, operations – we can help with. 

What does success look like for Esparq, beyond just the numbers? How should we be measuring value in Indigenous business? 

Success is about empowering people to create wealth and autonomy. If people have money, good things follow. We don’t need to define impact narrowly – we just need to record the great things that happen when communities are empowered. 

Measuring jobs, revenue, and businesses supported has its role. But a job in Cairns isn’t the same as a job in remote Cape York. We need to tell the stories of what happens when people are given wealth and autonomy – that’s the real impact. 

What did the Esparq Partner Experience in Cairns and the Torres Strait mean to you – personally and professionally? 

It was surreal. I’ve never had many traditional jobs, so I’m always figuring things out. Professionally, it opened new opportunities for Esparq and the businesses we support. Personally, it was more relief than excitement – just knowing it worked, and it all came together. 

The trip wasn’t about showcasing our work – it was about introducing people to the communities we work with. That’s the difference. We’re not saying, ‘come see what we’ve done’ – we’re saying ‘come meet the people we’re walking alongside’. 

What’s next for Esparq, and what are you most excited about in this next phase? 

We’re shifting toward building scalable businesses and co-founding with community. Bush Beef is another good example – one head business that Traditional Owners can supply to. We’re piloting tourism and logistics networks to break down barriers of remoteness. It’s about replicating and scaling models across northern Australia. 

We’re also using those learnings to shape new products – like our Futures Fund, alongside shared services. It’s about solving our own problems and building systems that work for our communities. 

What message would you share with investors, policymakers, or aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs reading your new report? 

There’s a quote I relate to: ‘It’s human nature to overestimate risk and underestimate opportunity’. The risks aren’t as big as you think, and the opportunities are bigger. Despite all the barriers, people are still finding a way to win. Imagine what we could do if we unlocked those barriers. 

For entrepreneurs, I don’t want to sugarcoat it – business is hard. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re still keen after hearing that, then maybe it is for you. We’re here to walk alongside those who are ready to take that leap. 

Read Walking Together: Building Indigenous Business in Northern Australia – a new report by Esparq Ventures, co-authored with The Next Economy.

Walking Together: Building Indigenous Business in Northern Australia

A new report by Esparq Ventures, co-authored with The Next Economy

Esparq Ventures is working with Indigenous entrepreneurs across northern Australia to grow successful businesses grounded in culture, community and self-determination. 

Walking Together shares early insights from this work. It highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous businesses, and how Esparq’s model is helping to grow a more connected, resilient and thriving Indigenous business ecosystem. 

Co-authored with The Next Economy, the report features stories from the ground, reflections from the team, and lessons to inform policy, funding and systems change. It also captures the spirit of Esparq’s approach – walking alongside communities and backing their vision for the future. 

Read the full report here

Find out more in our Q+A with the CEO of Esparq Ventures: Walking Together: A conversation with Darryl French-Majid

Transition in South West Queensland: local views and questions

In November, The Next Economy travelled through South West Queensland, meeting councils, industry and local leaders to explore what transition means for the region. In this piece, our energy project officer Lyndsay Walsh reflects on the trip and how planning can reflect its realities, strengths and priorities.

We’re working alongside the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) – a collaboration of six councils – to identify practical, locally driven opportunities that can help guide investment, attract funding, and support the region to manage change on its own terms. 

We talk a lot about transition needing to be locally defined and nowhere is that clearer than here. South West Queensland is vast, roughly the size of Malaysia, but home to around 25,000 people. That scale and spread brings unique challenges, from maintaining road and energy networks across long distances, to adapting to an increasingly variable climate. 

Reanna, Lyndsay and Saideh visiting Roma saleyards, in Maranoa.

As many of the people we spoke to pointed out: a policy written in Canberra or Brisbane simply can’t be copied and pasted here. It needs to be grounded in these local conditions, build on regional strengths, and help communities shape change in ways that work for them. 

The drivers of change affecting us all 

Right across the country, people and businesses are feeling the effects of changes happening globally. Climate extremes, shifting markets, new supply chain requirements and changing investment decisions are all influencing how regions grow and plan. 

There’s growing attention on things like food security, clean energy, land stewardship and infrastructure. Net zero targets, geopolitical uncertainty, and the push for secure, sustainable supply chains are shaping decisions about what gets built, where industries invest, and who they partner with. 

These aren’t abstract issues for South West Queensland. They are already showing up in tangible ways – from how weather affects freight and crops, to pressure on local infrastructure, or in rising insurance costs and supply chain expectations. This all points to the need for forward planning, not only to manage risk, but to actively shape the region’s future based on its own strengths and aspirations. 

Listening to how people are making sense of change 

That’s what we set out to support. Driving further west, the bitumen fading to gravel and the soil deepening from orange to red, we sat down with people in council chambers, on farms, in paddocks and over café counters. 

We workshopped with councillors grappling with long-term planning in the face of immediate pressures. We stood in the dust at Roma Saleyards, witnessing the operations of the largest cattle market in the southern hemisphere. We toured cotton farms and vegetable farms, seeing how water, land, climate and policy meet in complex ways. And we spoke with business owners and community leaders in main street shops and offices, talking through the changes they are seeing on their streets, their challenges, and what they’re excited about for the future. 

Everywhere we went, people were already doing the work of thinking ahead, weighing up risks and testing new ideas. The questions they’re asking are practical, grounded, and focused on one thing: how to make sure their communities stay strong, whatever lies ahead. 

Reanna facilitating discussion at one of our council workshops, in Balonne.

Local perspectives on transition, and our insights on managing change well 

Throughout our conversations, we heard a wide range of views about transition: what it means, why it matters, and whether it’s even the right word. 

We often hear these kinds of questions and reflections in our work. They’re thoughtful, valid, and worth taking seriously, so we felt it might be helpful to share how we responded in this context.  

  • “Transition will happen whether we like it or not, and we need to capture the benefits that relate to our shire.” 

Transition is often not a choice – it’s happening. But how it plays out locally is up to the region. With a clear strategy, communities can position themselves to attract investment, support existing industries to adapt, and pursue new opportunities that reflect their priorities. Doing nothing risks those benefits being missed altogether and exposing yourself and your community to the risks of an unmanaged transition. 

  • “Why do we need to manage change? Why can’t we just let it happen ‘organically’?” 

Change is already underway and often driven by forces outside of local control. Letting it play out without planning usually means responding late, after the impacts have already landed. Planning isn’t about forcing change. It’s about getting ahead of it, understanding what’s coming, and shaping outcomes in a way that benefits the region. 

  • “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” 

Things might be holding up for now, but many people are already feeling the cracks – whether it’s rising energy costs, workforce shortages or the loss of services. Waiting until it breaks makes it harder and more expensive to respond. Planning now protects what’s working and helps steer change in ways that make the region stronger. 

  • “Don’t kill the patient by solving the issue.” 

This is a valid concern – sometimes well-meaning solutions do more harm than good. That’s why local and meaningful participation is critical. This work is not about imposing answers from outside. It’s about working with people who know the place best, to find the right balance between protecting what matters and evolving where needed. A careful, practical approach can manage change without causing harm. 

  • “We don’t fully understand what our opportunities are. What are we even transitioning to?” 

There’s no single answer to this. The drivers of change – from climate and markets to policy shifts – are largely global and national. But how a region responds is deeply local, and depends on its industries, people, landscape and goals. The goal isn’t to meet someone else’s definition of transition, but planning for change in a way that’s practical, grounded and focused on managing it well. Or, in other words, transition to a future state where planning is informed by an understanding of the risks and opportunities being created by change, appropriate to local conditions, and deliberate about the outcomes the region wants to achieve.   

The Cunnamulla fella taking in the sunset, in Paroo.

Developing the South West Queensland Regional Transition Strategy 

This Strategy, due out in March 2026, is about helping the region plan for change on its own terms. It will set shared priorities, highlights local strengths and constraints, and identify practical actions to guide investment, shape policy and build collaboration across the region. 

We recognise the real limitations that scale and distance create out west, the scale of change communities are being asked to navigate, and the limits of doing so without the right support. This strategy will aim to ease that challenge by setting clear regional priorities, identifying practical opportunities, and helping councils and communities advocate for the resources, partnerships and investment they need to respond in ways that work for them.  

Watch this space for further updates on the project. 

The Economy We Could Have – Webinar

Australia’s economy has delivered prosperity for some, but left many behind. The divides in housing, health, income and opportunity are widening — and they’re not inevitable. They’re the result of decisions, shaped by values and power. 

It doesn’t have to be this way. 

Across Australia and around the world, communities are already building alternatives — from cooperative energy projects and regenerative food systems to new legal frameworks and circular design. These examples show that change is not only possible: it’s already happening. 

In this one-hour session, The Next Economy CEO Lizzie Webb joins lead author Katherine Trebeck to unpack insights from The Economy We Could Have — a new paper that looks under the bonnet of the Australian economy and reveals how we can move beyond isolated ‘Lego wins’ toward a wellbeing economy that prioritises dignity, fairness, connection and ecological care. 

📅 Date: Thursday, 12pm AEST (1PM AEDT), 4 December 2025 

📍 Location: Online 

🎟 Tickets:  This event has already happened – watch the video below!

🎤 Speakers: The Next Economy CEO Lizzie Webb in conversation with lead author Katherine Trebeck.  

🔗 Explore the paper here

Watch the video

Community insights for Uralla Shire’s energy future 

Between December 2024 and June 2025, The Next Economy and Uralla Shire Council engaged more than 150 residents through workshops, interviews and surveys. People shared what matters most to them, and what ‘good development’ should look like for their Shire in NSW’s New England region, in light of the large-scale renewable energy development planned. 

This has culminated in an Insights Paper: a summary of what we heard and what it means for Uralla’s energy future. 

What we heard 

Residents’ perspectives grouped under six overarching themes, ranging from nature and land use to healthcare. Across these, the following came through clearly: 

  • There is support for a transition that is transparent, coordinated and grounded in local values. 
  • People need early, honest communication and real opportunities to participate in decisions. 
  • The renewables opportunity should be used as an opportunity for investment in lasting infrastructure and services that keep pace with growth. 
  • It is important to people that farmland, biodiversity and the rural character of the Shire be protected. 
  • Affordable housing and inclusive growth should be a priority, especially to maintain community cohesion as workers and new residents arrive. 
  • Stable jobs and training pathways linked to these developments were seen by many as a way to keep and attract young people in the area. 
  • A shared desire to preserve community cohesion and heritage so that change enhances, more than erodes, what makes Uralla special. 
     
Inputs gathered from just one of TNE's Uralla community workshops.

Read more about what came across during community engagement via Council’s website: A shire-wide conversation: community insights for Uralla Shire’s energy future.

Read previous stories and updates:  

What happens next?

These insights inform Uralla Shire Council’s Renewable Energy Strategic Plan, due out at the end of 2025. The plan sets out strategies and actions to address challenges and realise opportunities, so that benefits are shared fairly and value endures. 

What is the Striking a New Deal (SaND) project? 

SaND supports regional communities as they navigate renewable energy development in their area. Together with Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, RE-Alliance and Projects JSA, The Next Economy supports a peer-to-peer network of regional leaders sharing insights with government and industry. Read more about the partnership: Driving better community outcomes from renewable projects

SaND Uralla Community Insights Report October 2025Download

The Economy We Could Have: new paper out now

Australia’s economy looks strong on the surface, but behind the averages lie deep divides in housing, work, health and opportunity. Our new paper, The Economy We Could Have, asks what our economy is really designed to do, who it is working for, and how it can support people’s wellbeing.

Australia is at a pivotal moment. While headline statistics suggest strong performance, looking under the bonnet of these numbers reveals widening divides in housing, health, income, and opportunity. Rising inequality and climate disruption demand a closer look at our economic system: what is it designed to do – and who benefits?

The Economy We Could Have explores how Australia’s economic story has shifted over the decades, the divides created along the way, and the alternatives already being built. It sets out practical steps for governments, enterprises and communities to move beyond isolated “Lego wins” and instead embed a wellbeing economy – one that puts dignity, fairness, connection and ecological care at its centre.  

As lead author, Katherine Trebeck, puts it: 

Transformational change is possible. Australia has done it before – from Medicare to minimum wages – and we can do it again.  

The challenge

The paper traces Australia’s shift from predistribution – fair wages and public investment – to a model marked by precariousness, asset accumulation, and financial advantage for a few. It also highlights how system-compliant fixes and short-term crisis responses can stall deeper progress.

One in seven Australians live in poverty. Many face insecure work, unaffordable homes and stretched services that respond to crisis rather than prevent it. These outcomes are not inevitable. They are the result of decisions – shaped by values and power – that have concentrated advantage for some and shifted risks onto others. 

The alternatives

The good news that is change is possible. The economy is a human-made system, and it can be redesigned. Across the country, communities are already showing what that momentum for change is growing. Australians are increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo and open to rethinking economic priorities. 

One promising framework is the wellbeing economy, which according to the Wellbeing Economy Alliance can deliver the following needs: 

Nature, connection, dignity, fairness, participation

There are plenty of examples of these goals already being delivered in practice:

Earthworker Cooperative (Latrobe Valley, VIC)Australia’s first worker-owned factory, producing solar hot water systems to serve its worker-owners. 
Food Connect Shed (Brisbane, QLD): A cooperative food enterprise owned by 500+ ‘careholders’, rooted in equity and regeneration. 
Marlinja Power Project (NT): Community-installed solar panels and battery storage enabling near energy self-sufficiency – an example of climate resilience. 

Governments are beginning to respond. The Federal Government’s Measuring What Matters statement is expanding how national success is defined, incorporating indicators for health, sustainability, and social cohesion. In Victoria, the Early Intervention Investment Framework is embedding preventative health and social approaches into budget decisions, valuing long-term wellbeing over short-term fixes.

Australia’s future depends on whether we can move beyond piecemeal reforms to embrace systemic change. By learning from community-led initiatives and adopting frameworks like the wellbeing economy, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and caring society – one that works for everyone. 

Read the full report here:

DOWNLOAD REPORT

Making renewables work for communities: the critical role of Councils

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.

Lisa Lumsden, Senior Project Officer facilitating group discussion with local government leaders at the Regional Leaders Summit, Newcastle August 2025.

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.

Building Hay’s future together: early insights from the economic transition roadmap

The Next Economy and Hay Shire Council have been working side by side with the local community to better understand how Hay’s economy works today and what it will take to secure a stronger future. Over the past year, more than 240 residents, businesses and stakeholders have shared their perspectives through workshops, interviews and conversations. 

The result is the newly published Early Insights Paper, which explores Hay’s unique economy, the challenges it faces, and the opportunities already emerging. 

A deeply connected local economy

What makes Hay distinctive is not just its agricultural base or strategic location on trade and tourism routes, but the way economic and social life is deeply interconnected. From local producers sharing transport runs, to volunteers stepping in where services are scarce, Hay’s resilience depends on people and relationships as much as dollars and cents. 

Turning pressure into opportunity

The final Roadmap will highlight clear areas where focused action can turn pressure into opportunity. Housing, for example, has emerged as one of the most urgent challenges. Council and partners are already exploring innovative approaches such as transitioning worker accommodation into permanent housing – a practical step that can help meet short-term needs while leaving a lasting benefit for the region. 

Grounded in local identity

Alison McLean, Executive Manager for Economic Development and Tourism at Hay Shire Council, puts it simply:  

Without this groundwork, there’s a risk of defaulting to what everyone else does. We are not Wagga, we are not Griffith – we have our very own unique economy, threats and opportunities.

From insights to action 

This paper is an important milestone, but it is also part of a broader process of engagement and real-time action being taken to manage change across the region. Over the coming months, Council and The Next Economy will continue to work with the community to refine priorities, test solutions and activate partnerships across housing, primary production innovation, workforce development and industry diversification. 

You can read the paper here:

READ THE PAPER

Read the local media release for an expanded summary here:

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE

Getting a better deal for regions hosting renewables

The new Striking a New Deal report highlights what regional areas need from renewable energy development. Our engagement in Uralla Shire shows how these national issues are playing out locally. 

The big picture 

Across Australia’s regions hosting large scale renewable energy, you will hear a mix of pride, frustration and worry. Pride in helping power the country’s clean energy future, mixed with annoyance of the little recognition from the big cities of the heavy lift they are doing to supply the nation’s power. Frustration that so much about wind, solar and battery projects feel unclear. And Worry about the pressure they could put on housing, already stretched services, and the character of local towns. 

SaND project leads (ProjectsJSA, TNE, RE-Alliance, FRRR) at the Regional Leaders Forum in Newcastle

These realities are at the heart of a recent report, Striking a New Deal for Renewables in Regions, written under the Striking a New Deal collaboration. It draws on insights from leaders in communities already experiencing significant renewable energy investment and spells out what people say they need to feel confident about the shift: clear and accessible information, honest conversations about risks as well as opportunities, investment in housing, services and infrastructure before the impacts hit, and binding agreements so benefits arrive and last. 

Zooming in on Uralla Shire 

Much of this will sound familiar to anyone living in a renewable energy hotspot, but it is important to continue to highlight these issues so policymakers and industry can respond. 

In June 2025, we ran community workshops and conversations with around 150 residents in Uralla Shire, which sits in the New England Renewable Energy Zone. We heard from a wide range of locals, and what we heard echoed the SaND report almost point for point. 

One of five SaND community workshops carried out in Uralla Shire

Uncertainty and trust 

How do we beat all the misinformation going around?

Uralla Shire resident

People told us they do not know what will be built, when, or how projects will fit together. This lack of clarity fuels anxiety and leaves room for rumours to grow. We have collected a long list of community questions which shows that most residents know little about the details of development and are not sure where to turn for reliable answers. 

When people are not given timely and accurate information, they fill the gaps themselves, and the risk of misinformation rises. People told us they want developers and government to be proactive in explaining what is and is not yet known, rather than letting people find out in fragments over time. 

Balancing benefits and risks 

The report calls for “risk and opportunity accounts” which are plain language summaries of what is promised, what is at risk and how it will be managed. People in Uralla want exactly that. They also want to see the full picture, including cumulative impacts. Many asked how multiple projects together will affect local water supplies, road networks, housing, and biodiversity. 

Housing was the most urgent concern. Residents fear rising rents and fewer homes for locals as temporary workforces move in. Health and aged care services are already under strain. Roads, water and waste systems are under similar pressures.  

At the same time, people see opportunities such as upgrading infrastructure, training local young people for good jobs, revitalising community spaces and restoring nature. 

I can see things have got to change. But my concern is the soul of Uralla.

Uralla Shire resident
Some of our younger participants at another community workshop

Securing a fair deal

Both the SaND report and Uralla locals are calling for certainty in agreements between developers and communities, not just handshake promises. People want commitments that survive a change of project ownership. They want these commitments to cover things like job pathways for local youth, healthcare investment, housing solutions, and protection of farmland, biodiversity and the Shire’s heritage. 

If we cannot fight it, make it better.

Uralla Shire resident

Building from strengths 

In Uralla, we have taken a strengths-based approach. This means starting with what works and what people value. The active volunteer networks, the character and creativity of main street Uralla, the entrepreneurial spirit in its many independent shops, and the strong sense of neighbours looking out for one another as seen during the recent snow event. Building on these assets is essential if renewable energy development is to enhance the community rather than erode it. 

Legacy is the name of the game, no two ways about that.

Uralla Shire resident

And what came out clearly is that residents do not want business as usual planning if benefit funds flow in. They want legacy projects that make life better for all residents, not just a few. 

Watch this space for the full output of our engagement work with Uralla Shire Council in the spring. 

TNE SaND project delivery team in Uralla: Saideh and Lyndsay 

What is Striking a New Deal (SaND)? 

Striking a New Deal is a collaboration between The Next Economy, RE-Alliance, Projects JSA and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. It brings together local voices, regional leaders and national policy discussions to make sure communities hosting renewable energy get a fair deal.

SaND has three interconnected strands:

  • Regional Leaders Network: bringing together leaders from across renewable energy regions to share experiences, challenges and solutions. 
  • Place-based work: partnering with Uralla Shire Council to test ways of engaging communities and planning for long-term benefits from renewable energy investment. 

New partnership to advance economic justice

Shared with permission from Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation – New partnership to advance economic justice

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and economic development agency The Next Economy have announced a significant multi-year partnership to advance economic justice and wellbeing across Australia.

At the heart of this initiative is the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a secure and dignified life. A wellbeing economy goes beyond economic growth alone, it focuses on equity, community resilience, and environmental stewardship. This new partnership hopes to contribute to and encourage a fairer sharing of prosperity by fostering a more balanced distribution of power, wealth, and opportunity.

Australia currently experiences high levels of income and wealth inequality. The top 20 per cent of households receive almost half (48 per cent) of the nation’s income, while the bottom 20 per cent receive only four per cent.1 These disparities have resulted in widespread insecurity, financial stress, delayed medical care, and adverse effects on mental health.

A considerable 63 per cent of Australians feel that the economy is structured to benefit the wealthy and powerful.2 Furthermore, the same economic model that has generated those disparities has led to ecological degradation, with evidence showing the country is close to exceeding at least five out of nine planetary boundaries.3

Peter Walton, Chief Executive Officer at Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, said “This partnership represents a pivotal evolution in our philanthropic work. Through our Strategy 2030, we are committed to long-term, systemic change in Greater Melbourne by aligning partnerships to purposefully influence and shift current systems that perpetuate inequality.

“By working with The Next Economy, we are strengthening our efforts to create a just and equitable Greater Melbourne, focusing on the intersection of climate justice, economic justice, and housing justice.

“We are now working beyond traditional grantmaking to address the root causes of social and environmental challenges through systemic and future-focused strategies,” added Peter.

Lizzie Webb, Chief Executive Officer of The Next Economy, adds, “We are proud to collaborate with Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation on a multi-year program of work that aims to catalyse economic change in Australia. Over the next three years, we’ll work together to host national conversations and initiatives that build momentum for systems change — placing communities at the centre of economic transformation.”

In Profile: First Nations Hub Network, Forever Reef Project

Partnering for Coral Biodiversity Conservation 

The Next Economy is proud to partner with Great Barrier Reef Legacy on the Forever Reef Project. Our contribution will support the co-design, launch and operation of the project’s First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hub Network—an ambitious initiative to protect coral biodiversity and strengthen regional economies through First Peoples leadership and innovation.

A New Chapter in Reef Conservation 

As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for bold, collaborative action to protect the Great Barrier Reef has never been more urgent. Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, yet they are also among the most vulnerable. The Forever Reef Project, led by Great Barrier Reef Legacy (GBR Legacy), offers a powerful response: a living “Coral Ark” of coral species, safeguarded for future generations. 

There is a clear window of opportunity to act immediately to secure the biodiversity of corals for all reefs, now and into the future. The Forever Reef Project will preserve the genetic biodiversity of hard coral species by collecting and maintaining living samples of over 400 species from the Great Barrier Reef and supporting reef-dependent communities to care for their corals around the world.

Dr Dean Miller, Founder and Managing Director, GBRL Legacy

At the heart of this effort is a commitment to First Peoples leadership. The Forever Reef Hub Network will be a series of purpose-built coral care facilities, managed by Reef Traditional Custodians across  

the Reef’s expanse — from Bundaberg to the Torres Strait. These hubs will not only preserve coral biodiversity but also create jobs, support cultural knowledge sharing and education initiatives, and strengthen Sea Country stewardship. 

The Next Economy’s Role 

The Next Economy (TNE) is proud to support the delivery of Stage 2 of the Forever Reef First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hub Network. Our role focuses on supporting the establishment of the pilot Hub in partnership with Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation (DWAC); and laying the groundwork for development the broader network. 

This work builds on the successful completion of Stage 1, which developed the business model for the Hub Network. Stage 2 is now underway, transitioning the project from concept to reality. 

We’re excited to be making a difference by preserving and nurturing the coral biodiversity of Yirrganydji Sea Country through our cultural lens for our current and future generations.

DWAC Team

Project Phases and Outcomes 

The Forever Reef Hub Network is being developed in three key stages: 

Stage 1: Design (Complete) 

  • Development of the First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hub Network Business Model 
  • Engagement, planning, and analysis (Sept 2022 – June 2023) 

Stage 2: Demonstration (Underway) 

  • Establishment of the Pilot Hub with Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation 
  • Collection and preservation of hard coral species from Yirrganydji Country 
  • Creation of new jobs in aquaculture, facility management, and education 
  • Generation of new revenue from biodiversity conservation and education  
  • Demonstration of education and engagement experiences  

GBR Legacy and Dawul Wuru have completed site planning, ranger training has commenced, educational material is being developed, and revenue raising options are being scoped. Construction is due to commence in August and operations shortly afterwards. 

TNE is supporting the project team to develop opportunities for sustainable revenue generation like access to biodiversity markets and assisting with the co-design of collaboration and agreement making protocols that are culturally appropriate and reflect the team’s aspiration for strong, long-term collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

 Stage 3: Scaling (Future) 

  • Establishment of multiple First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hubs across the Reef  
  • Preservation of all 400+ hard coral species from the Great Barrier Reef 
  • Creation of sustainable jobs and regional economic opportunities 
  • Deepened cultural connection and stewardship of sea country 

More About GBR Legacy and Forever Reef 

GBR Legacy is a not-for-profit social enterprise with over 35 years of experience in reef expeditions, science, and education. The Forever Reef Project is their flagship initiative to preserve the genetic diversity of hard coral species—starting with the Great Barrier Reef and expanding globally. 

Their parent facility in Port Douglas already houses over one third of the Great Barrier Reef’s hard coral species making it the most biodiverse collection of living corals in the world. The goal is to collect and care for all remaining species in collaboration with Traditional Owners, ensuring their survival in the face of climate change. 

To find out more visit: https://www.foreverreef.org 

TNE’s 2025–2030 Strategy 

For the next five years, The Next Economy will prioritise partnerships within critical regions: those that hold the key to Australia achieving net zero by 2035. This includes regions with significant levels of First Nations land and sea stewardship, particularly across Northern Australia.  

TNE’s role working with GBR Legacy aims to support First Nations leadership and participation in coral biodiversity conservation along the Great Barrier Reef, within a model that facilitates economic sovereignty. This project will generate new insights into how First Nations communities can be better resourced to protect and regenerate nature and achieve Australia’s biodiversity and climate goals.

Heading Upstream: Towards a Wellbeing Economy

This short paper introduces key ideas and real-world examples driving a shift toward a wellbeing economy in Australia.

The Next Economy is working with partners to secure a future where everyone can thrive and the natural world is cherished and protected. Achieving this vision requires more than isolated reforms — it calls for a fundamental transformation of our economic systems. 

In 2024, with support from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, TNE convened a two-day gathering of change agents from across Australia. Together, we explored the preconditions for systems change and examined the opportunities and barriers to reshaping our economy.  

This short paper, Heading Upstream to Tackle the Economic Root Causes, distils key insights prepared for that gathering. It introduces foundational concepts that highlight the need for upstream economic change and illustrates how our current economic structures often fall short of serving people and planet. 

We frame this transformation through the lens of the 4Ps: 

  • Purpose: Reorienting the economy to serve wellbeing. 
  • Prevention: Tackling root causes rather than symptoms.
  • Predistribution: Designing fairness into the system from the start.
  • People Powered: Ensuring communities have a voice in shaping their futures.  

Dr Katherine Trebeck, Economy Change lead at The Next Economy, said: “Across Australia, inspiring examples of these shifts are emerging. “For example, the ACT’s wellbeing framework, the appointment of a Minister for Prevention in WA and efforts by businesses to make their production processes more circular. And even enterprises like Honorbread in Bermagui becoming employee-owned and communities working together to benefit from the rollout of renewable energy.” 

“However, these examples remain the exception, not the norm. This paper serves as a primer for those curious about what upstream economic change looks like and why it matters.” 

Read the paper and join us on this journey:

Download PDF


Read more about Katherine’s work at The Next Economy:  


📢 Stay tuned: In the coming months, we’ll be releasing a broader research project that dives deeper into the state of the Australian economy and how we can reimagine it to support collective wellbeing.

On the ground in Hay: building a future-ready regional economy

In the heart of NSW’s Riverina region, the town of Hay is asking big questions about its future.

Over a week in April, The Next Economy met with more than 30 local landholders, business owners, and community leaders to explore how the regional economy works—and how it can adapt to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“We’re working with the Hay community to build a rich picture of the local economy—how it operates, who’s involved, and what’s needed to make it more resilient and future-ready,” says Jacqui Bell, Project Lead at The Next Economy.

This work is part of a broader effort to co-develop a regional economic roadmap—a guide to help Hay navigate dynamic social, environmental, and economic change. The process is grounded in local knowledge and shaped by the lived experience of those who call the region home.

This work follows on from the development of a set of principles for successful renewable energy development in Hay (in partnership with Re-Alliance), and the Regional Resilience Plan (in partnership with TNE and the Australian Resilience Centre) in Hay over the past two years.

Asking the Right Questions

The conversations in Hay are centred around a series of powerful questions:

  • What does our economy look like, and why does it work the way it does?
  • What trends—local and global—are shaping our future?
  • What can we do together that we can’t do alone?
  • How do we ensure that the wealth generated here benefits the whole community?

These questions are helping to surface both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the region’s economy, and to identify opportunities for collective action.

A Sector Under Pressure

Hay, like many regional communities, is facing cascading pressures: rising costs of living, workforce shortages, climate impacts, and uncertainty around the energy transition. These challenges are compounded by confusing policy signals and complex market mechanisms—particularly in the agriculture and land sectors.

“There’s growing interest from global markets and investors in low-emissions, nature-positive products,” says Jacqui. “But those signals often aren’t reaching producers on the ground—or they’re too weak or confusing to drive meaningful change.”

This disconnect is contributing to scepticism and fatigue in communities already being asked to take on significant risk to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

No One-Size-Fits-All

The Next Economy’s work in Hay reinforces a key insight: context matters. A one-size-fits-all approach to agricultural transition won’t work in Australia. Each region has its own assets, challenges, and aspirations.

“How transitions are managed locally will shape the future of entire regions,” Jacqui explains. “Strategic planning and coordination are essential—not just to respond to change, but to shape it in ways that are fair, effective, and grounded in place.”

What’s Next

The roadmap being developed with the Hay community will help guide investment, policy, and local action. It’s part of a growing movement across regional Australia—where communities are stepping up to lead the transition to a climate-safe, regenerative, and socially just economy.

“This isn’t just about adapting to change,” says Jacqui. “It’s about creating the conditions for communities to thrive in the next economy.”

Read more about our work in Hay, NSW:

Strengthening Hay and Carrathool – Resilience Plan launched!

Primary producers in Hay, Carrathool help shape NSW region’s economic future

Community first for Uralla Shire

The Next Economy and Uralla Shire Council in NSW are teaming up to help the region navigate change and ensure renewable energy development delivers lasting benefits for the community. 

Shared with permission from Uralla Shire Council – A Shire-wide Conversation About Change and Opportunity

Uralla Shire Council is taking steps to prepare for future change in the region and ensure that new development – particularly renewable energy – works for the community in the long term.

Through a project called Striking a New Deal, Council is working to understand what good development looks like for Uralla and how to make sure local priorities are front and centre when planning for how to manage change. This will help Council advocate for the kinds of benefits that matter most to our community – such as essential services, housing, infrastructure, or local job opportunities.

To support this work, Council is partnering with The Next Economy, a not-for-profit agency that supports regional communities across Australia to manage change in ways that are inclusive and locally appropriate. The Next Economy will support Council to carry out community engagement and feed community input into local planning.

In May, Council and The Next Economy spoke with a number of local stakeholders to hear a variety of perspectives on what people would like Uralla to look like in the future. In June, we’ll hold community workshops so that all residents have the opportunity to share their views.

“This is about planning ahead so that development happens in a way that reflects what our community wants. Council can’t control every project, but we can do the work now to represent our region’s interests and make sure we’re ready to shape a positive future together.” – Toni Averay, General Manager, Uralla Shire Council:

“In our work across Australia, we’ve seen that communities manage change best when they’re actively involved in shaping it. It is clear that Uralla residents have a strong sense of identity. By hearing from local voices, council can ensure that future development reflects community values, priorities and aspirations.” – Lizzie Webb, CEO, The Next Economy

To register your interest or stay informed about upcoming workshops, contact esims@uralla.nsw.gov.au

Find out more about our partnership with Uralla Shire Council:

Striking a New Deal for Uralla Shire

Launching the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap

The Next Economy, together with Mount Isa City Council and Climate-KIC Australia, is proud to launch the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap.  

Mount Isa, like many other industrial regions, is at the crossroads of major economic change. The region has a rich asset base, including the North West Minerals Province, but faces the imminent closure of the Mount Isa Mine’s underground copper mine operations and copper concentrator.  

This closure will impact approximately 1,200 workers from mid-2025 and the future of the local copper industry, a change that needs to be managed alongside increasing demand for critical minerals, affordable and reliable energy generation and storage options, and innovative logistics solutions. Global trade uncertainty and climate impacts further complicate this picture. 

Whether Mount Isa successfully navigates these changes will be critical to the success of Australia’s net zero ambitions, and global decarbonisation goals. 

The Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap provides a clear and ambitious vision for the future of Mount Isa against this backdrop of regional change, global uncertainty, and new opportunities.  

In this future, Mount Isa thrives. The regional economy enables Australia’s net zero transformation, contributing to the next generation of clean energy and critical minerals exports and processing . Local industry and the community lead innovative solutions to long-standing and emerging challenges, benefiting from a focus on circular economy approaches, decarbonisation, environmental sustainability and regeneration, and social wellbeing.  

This vision is underpinned by the application of the Future Ready Economy Framework. This Framework has been designed by The Next Economy and Climate-KIC to assist decision-makers in regions like Mount Isa to assess economic opportunities against six key dimensions of positive and resilient development. 

Along with regional stakeholder engagements and expert input, the Framework has informed the development of future ready development pathways, strategies and potential actions for Mount Isa’s five key economic sectors—energy, mining, transport, agriculture and tourism—and the foundations of a thriving community. 

By adopting a future ready lens to regional economic development, Mount Isa is ensuring that today’s planning and investment decisions position the region for long-term success. 

With the right planning and investment from key partners, including the Queensland Government and Australian Government, and industry, Mount Isa can pursue these pathways and become a global player in a decarbonising world. 

To find out more, download the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap.

Mount Isa has a proud history of innovation and mining excellence which can continue to thrive with the right investment and collaboration between industry, government and the community. Photo: Chris Grose.

Mount Isa launches economic roadmap to create jobs, secure future

[Press Release from Mount Isa City Council, shared with permission here]

Mount Isa, North West Queensland: Mount Isa City Council has launched the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap, a bold new economic vision to transform and diversify the local economy while delivering immediate jobs and long-term benefits for its residents.   

Despite a rich asset base, including the North West Minerals Provinces’ $680-billion in known in-ground resources, many of which are key for Australia’s clean energy and future-technology capabilities, Mount Isa faces significant challenges due to its remoteness and dependence on a major employer. 

Up to 1,200 jobs losses loom as Glencore winds down underground copper operations at Mount Isa Mines from mid-2025. As one of the city’s largest employers, this threatens a sharp decline in the city’s current 19,000-strong population and its ability to remain the service centre for the North West. 

The Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap presents 28 pathways and nearly 400 potential actions for local stakeholders, industry, government and community to strengthen and diversify the economy across energy, mining and minerals, transport, agriculture, and tourism. 

Developed by Council with The Next Economy and Climate-KIC Australia, and with input from more than 100 industry, business, government and community contributors, the Roadmap also focuses on ways to support decarbonisation, climate adaptation, circular design, regenerative practices, and community well-being.

Key elements of the Roadmap include:

  • Supplying critical and strategic minerals the world needs to decarbonise, leveraging Mount Isa’s mining expertise and its gateway position to the North-West Minerals Province, rich in cobalt, graphite, vanadium, rare earth elements and important metals such as copper. Noting, retention of workforce capability and current industry assets is foundational to new industry development. 
  • Producing and storing affordable, reliable renewable energy, particularly in innovative ways, with Council already working with Green Gravity and Glencore to explore repurposing legacy mining assets for gravitational energy storage systems. 
  • Ensuring the timely completion of CopperString 2032 to connect Mount Isa to the national energy grid, unlocking opportunities for renewables, to decarbonise industries, and expand critical minerals mining and processing and other industries. 
  • Improving transport and logistics infrastructure as a key enabler for industry and liveability, also to mitigate risks from extreme weather events like the recent floods. This includes common-user rail infrastructure, road upgrades, and innovative solutions such as airship freight which is already being explored. 
  • Future-proofing and growing tourism and agriculture industries, with actions to build the resilience of local beef grazing operations as well as local multi-day tourism adventures to explore the region’s unique landscape and culture.
  • Improving social services and community infrastructure, including much-needed childcare facilities, affordable housing and specialist healthcare for residents and as the main service centre for the North West.

The Roadmap showcases Council’s existing commitment to economic development, such as the establishment of The Australian Critical Minerals Industrial Precinct, the Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements Research Centre with UQ, and a battery anode material facility for graphite production.

However, Mount Isa can’t do it alone. Council is calling on the Queensland and Australian governments to back Mount Isa’s future – and its significant contribution to the economy as Australia decarbonises – with multi-billion-dollar investment and tailored coordination and support. 

Peta MacRae, Mount Isa Mayor, said: “The pending closure of Glencore’s underground operations is a huge loss for Mount Isa, but when one door closes, many more are opening to protect our workforce and build the industries, infrastructure and services we need for the future. 

“We have a strong economic vision and plan. Council is already working with partners to unlock opportunities in new technologies and services. However, bold assistance from the state and federal governments is needed for Mount Isa to remain a great place to live, work and do business.”

Tim Rose, Mount Isa City Council CEO, said: “Mount Isa is very rich in critical minerals and rare earths, yet we face challenges with remoteness and huge costs for power and transport. It’s time to embrace new technologies to generate low-cost and clean power so our mining sector keeps running and we can keep the lights on in our communities.”

“With global uncertainty and the challenging nature of mining, Mount Isa offers an ideal location to de-risk and unlock the critical and rare earth minerals the world needs to decarbonise while adding value to our region. With the right investment and support, we can unlock further investment and keep punching above our weight for the national economy.”

Liz Webb, The Next Economy COO and project lead, said: “Business-as-usual economic development is no longer enough for historic mining regions like Mount Isa, grappling with major industrial upheaval taking a heavy toll on local workforces and economies. 

“The Roadmap is the exact sort of initiative the Future Made in Australia bill is designed to support. New industry development is complex and takes time. Mount Isa is ready for this challenge, and will be successful with the right coordination, support and investment. 

“The Roadmap showcases Mount Isa’s commitment to tackling urgent challenges in ways that secure long-term success. With a proud community, industry collaboration, and renowned innovation, Mount Isa is poised for a future ready economy that requires a new era of collaboration and investment from industry and government.”

Jason Nielsen, Climate-KIC Australia Director Strategic Projects and project lead, said: “A prosperous and sustainable future for Mount Isa depends on collaboration and coordination between companies, government, and the community. The speed and complexity of economic and social change make siloed efforts ineffective. 

“It is critical that stakeholders see the interconnected and systemic nature of the problems and opportunities ahead, such as infrastructure development and workforce attraction and retention, and develop new ways of working together towards common goals. The Future Economy Roadmap is one of several important local initiatives to support and guide this process.”

Mount Isa’s Future Ready Economy Roadmap is available via Council’s website mountisa.qld.gov.au.

Strengthening Hay and Carrathool – Resilience Plan launched!

This week, the Hay and Carrathool Shire Councils launched the Hay and Carrathool Regional Drought Resilience Plan. The Plan is designed to identify strategic focus areas and priority actions to strengthen regional resilience. Convened by both councils, the Plan is the result of an extensive seven-month collaboration involving more than 300 community members, industry representatives, and government stakeholders. 

The Plan envisions a future where, by 2035, the communities of Hay and Carrathool are equipped to navigate climate, environmental, social, and economic challenges while remaining strong, connected, and vibrant. It sets out a strategic path for ensuring safe and thriving places to live, work, and raise future generations. 

Hay Shire Mayor, Carol Oataway, acknowledged the immense community effort behind the Plan and the commitment of local people to shaping their future. 

“This level of community engagement reflects the leadership and strengths of this vibrant region and demonstrates the passion that local people have for its future,”

Carol Oataway, Mayor of Hay Shire

With five core strategies—Inclusive & Empowered Communities, Future Ready Businesses, Reimagined Care Economy, Placemaking with Purpose, and Coordinated Action for Climate Resilient Economic Development—the Plan identifies 26 priority actions, each with partners to lead and drive progress. 

Key actions include setting up community hubs where people can connect, working groups so businesses can “share” employees, innovative ways to provide care to groups that need it, an initiative to collect and use environmental data, a housing strategy, and a roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.  

Already, the Plan has sparked action across the community. To really bring its vision to life, collaboration between local government, businesses, and residents will be essential in addressing risks and capturing emerging opportunities. 

“We’re the ones who know what our region needs… State and federal governments need to support regionally led solutions like ours.”

Carol Oataway, Mayor of Hay Shire

The Next Economy and the Australian Resilience Centre worked with the Hay and Carrathool Shire Councils and local communities to deliver the Plan. It has been developed as part of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program, which is jointly funded by the Australian Government and NSW Government under the Future Drought Fund. 

Hay Shire Councillors John Perry and Geoff Chapman, along with Mayor Carol Oataway and Alison McLean, Executive Manager for Economic Development and Tourism, are pictured with Jacqui Bell and Doug Ruuska from The Next Economy.

Download the plan  

The Hay and Carrathool Regional Drought Resilience Plan is available from the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/hay-and-carrathool-rdr-plan.pdf 

A summary of The Hay and Carrathool Regional Drought Resilience Plan is available below.

DOWNLOAD THE SUMMARY

For more information contact Jacqui Bell – j.bell@nexteconomy.com.au

See more like this: 

Primary producers in Hay, Carrathool help shape NSW region’s economic future

Book launch and events for Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible

Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible is out now. Join us at one of the many launches happening across the country from 5 March 2025.

It’s time for an honest conversation on the state of the energy transition, the remaining challenges, and what regions need to manage impacts and capture long-term benefits.

Australia is at a critical juncture in the energy transition. Once deemed impossible, the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is now well underway. For the transition to be just and sustainable, it is vital that regional communities, those at the forefront of change, are listened to.

The newly released book, Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible, provides an in-depth look at the challenges and successes of energy transitions in five key Australian coal regions: Port Augusta, the Latrobe Valley, Collie, the Hunter Valley, and Central Queensland.

With insights from over 20 contributors—including government officials, academics, industry experts, and community leaders—this book is an essential read for anyone invested in Australia’s energy future. It was co-edited by Dr Gareth Edwards, Professor John Wiseman, and Dr. Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy.

Recent events

Gladstone, Central Queensland – Date change to 7 May 2025

📅 Date: Wednesday 7 May 5pm – 7pm AEST
📍 Location: Rex Metcalfe Theatre, Leo Zussino Building (Building 3), CQUniversity, Gladstone Campus
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation with Mayor Matt Burnett (Mayor of Gladstone Regional Council), Dr Amanda Cahill (book editor and CEO of The Next Economy), Kristy Marks, Economic Development Manager for Gladstone Regional Council and Craig Jones (Chief Financial Officer at Alpha HPA).

Melbourne, Victoria

📅 Date: Wednesday, 5 March, 5pm – 7pm AEDT
📍 Location: Forum 3, Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston St, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia 
🌍 Host: Melbourne Climate Futures with The Next Economy
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here 

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation chaired by Professor John Wiseman alongside fellow book editors Dr Gareth Edwards and Dr Amanda Cahill, Sharan Burrow (Former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation) and Dan Musil (Book contributor and Secretary, Earthworker Cooperative).  

Latrobe Valley, Victoria

📅 Date: Tuesday 11 March, 6pm – 7.30pm AEDT
📍 Location: Morwell Innovation Centre, 1 Monash Way, Morwell
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation with Dan Musil (Latrobe Valley chapter contributor), Chris Buckingham (CEO, Latrobe Valley Authority), Josie Hess (Environment Victoria, award-winning filmmaker) and Jeffrey Jacquet (Global Director, Global Coal Transitions Research Network).

Hunter Valley, New South Wales

📅 Date: Wednesday, 12th March, 6pm – 7.45pm AEDT
📍 Location: NUspace, The University of Newcastle (Room TBC), Newcastle
🌍 Host: Institute for Regional Futures
🎟 Tickets:  Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation with Amanda Cahill (book editor and CEO of The Next Economy), Associate Professor Liam Phelan (book contributor, University of Newcastle), Warrick Jordan (book contributor and Policy Specialist, the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation), and Professor Kate Senior (Acting Director, the Institute for Regional Futures).

Sydney, New South Wales

📅 Date: Thursday, 13th March, 5pm – 6pm AEDT
📍 Location: Seminar Room 203, RD Watt Building, Camperdown
🌍 Host: Sydney Environment Institute with The Next Economy
🎟 Tickets:  Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation chaired by Professor Susan Park (Professor of Global Governance, University of Sydney), with Dr Gareth Edwards (book editor, Visiting Associate Professor, University of East Anglia), Kimberley Crofts (book contributor, Researcher and Service Designer), and Dr Elianor Gerrard (book contributor, Institute for Sustainable Futures).

Brisbane, Queensland

📅 Date: Tuesday, 1st April, 5.15pm – 6.30pm AEST
📍 Location: Room 0M08 (enter via lift in Atrium), UQ City, 308 Queen Street
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation with Trevor Gauld (Deputy Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia), Dr Amanda Cahill (book editor and CEO of The Next Economy), Liz Young (Research Director of the Queensland Decarbonisation Hub at Centre for Policy Futures, UQ), and Carly Quinn (General Manager People and Strategy at Gladstone Regional Council).

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

📅 Date: Thursday, 10th April, 5pm – 7pm AEST
📍 Location: Law Link Theatre, Fellows Lane, Australian National University, Canberra
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation hosted by Professor Frank Jotzo with David Shankey (CEO of Net Zero Economy Authority), Dr Amanda Cahill (co-editor and author, CEO of The Next Economy), Associate Professor Bec Colvin (researcher on energy transition at ANU), and Jo Evans (former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water).

What you’ll learn from the book

Regional Energy Transitions in Australia captures vital insights from communities that have navigated the transition away from fossil fuels over the past decade. It shows that: 

  • All energy transitions are local. They must be shaped by the histories, cultures, and needs of the communities most affected. 
  • Justice is key. A just transition means supporting workers and communities, including through re-employment, retraining, and early retirement options. 
  • Leadership and coordination matters. Strong governance, inclusive participation, and long-term policy stability are essential. 

Regional case studies 

Five coal regions featured in the book offer a powerful story about energy transitions in practice: 

  • Port Augusta, SA tells a story of community optimism and renewable investment tempered by inadequate support by state and federal governments.
  • The Latrobe Valley, VIC grappled with unplanned coal-fired power station closures and built resilience through rapid community and government collaboration. 
  • Collie, WA provides a powerful example of inclusive participation in transition planning, championed by First Nations Elders. 
  • The Hunter Valley, NSW has shown the importance of local coalitions working together to put community needs on the agenda during a complex regional economic transition.  
  • Gladstone, Central QLD demonstrates the importance of inclusive and locally driven engagement to shift from fossil fuels to renewable industries. 

Praise for the book

This collection presents a unique set of insights into how energy transition can be achieved at the regional level.

Prof. Frank Jotzo, ANU

“From ‘impossible to possible’ is a testament to hope and tenacity. The lessons learned from these regions demonstrate that the support of and co-creation with workers and community, along with government support, make the difference.”

Sharan Burrow, Former General Secretary
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

Get your copy

Purchase Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible now via Routledge. 

📖 Order here: Routledge or Amazon. 
🎟 Use the code 25AFLY1 for a 20% discount on hard copies via Routledge. 
🛒 Available soon in paperback and electronic formats. 

Stay connected

Don’t miss out on upcoming events and insights! 

Join the conversation and be part of Australia’s just and sustainable energy transition. 

About the editors

Dr Gareth A.S. Edwards
Dr Edwards is Visiting Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia and Visiting Fellow at the Sydney Environment Institute. His research focuses on environmental governance, climate justice, and the socio-political dimensions of environmental change.

Professor John Wiseman
Professor Wiseman is a Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Climate and Energy College and Chair of The Next Economy. He has extensive experience in public policy research, particularly in the areas of climate change, sustainability transitions, and social justice.

Dr Amanda Cahill
Dr Cahill is the CEO of The Next Economy, supporting communities in building resilient and sustainable economies. She has worked across Australia and internationally on projects related to economic development, energy transition, and social change. 

Mixed signals and missed champions: regional transition trends

(October 2024) Across Australia, communities are leading the transition to net zero – navigating multiple, compounding disruptions along the way – after years of minimal action or even discussion on climate change at a national level.

TNE’s Jacqui Bell, Dr Katherine Trebeck and Dr Amanda Cahill share key insights, ranging on topics from regional transition trends to nature and land use trade-offs to wellbeing economy principles, at the 2024 Better Futures Forum in September 2024. Photo credits: BFF/Gab Connolle

Here are five key trends or themes Dr Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy, and the team has observed in recent months: 

  1. Missing champions: The lived experiences of communities actively navigating the transition—experimenting, innovating, and addressing local needs—are often missing from the national conversation. From a community group in Gympie installing solar panels on local infrastructure to support vulnerable populations, including domestic violence shelters, to energy companies focused on creating long-term community benefits like housing, there are so many people getting on with it. We should be celebrating and learning from them. 
  2. Mixed signals: Regional communities are largely committed to the transition, but mixed signals from state and federal governments are not only frustrating they’re also undermining confidence to move forward with the real work. While there’s more investment in renewables and policies for net zero today than even a few years ago, new fossil fuel projects are still being approved even when expert bodies like the International Energy Agency say fossil fuel use must peak by 2025.  
  3. Models questioned: One of the most striking trends is the growing shift in how people think about the economy. For example, beyond day-to-day concerns like the cost of living, more communities are questioning the broader purpose of the economic system itself. The key question being asked is: if the economy isn’t directly benefiting local communities, what is its real value? Another question that keeps coming up is why development proponents decide whether their project will have social and environmental impacts on a community instead of a single, independent process and regulator. This shift in perspective signals a deeper rethinking of what good economic development really looks like. Read more: Rethinking economic responses: tackling the root causes of today’s challenges
  4. Many forms: The net zero transition is taking different shapes for different communities. For example, Mount Isa in Queensland is exploring how they can help the world to decarbonise and what it will take to develop their critical minerals processing potential while navigating the complexities that come with it. Meanwhile, in Hay and Carrathool in NSW’s Riverina region, communities are exploring how they are moving towards a future in agriculture and land use that’s both resilient to the impacts of climate change while responding to the decarbonisation of global supply chains. 
  5. Moving forward: We are now in the implementation phase of the net zero transition. It’s going to be challenging for a while, but we need to stay on course and remember that the decisions we make now really do matter. Right now, the infrastructure we invest in, the industries we promote and support, and how we build the capacity and mechanisms to ensure enduring community benefits, are all going to determine whether we reach our 2050 net zero goals – let alone the more ambitious ones that the science tells us we should be striving for. We can find a way forward that works for people and the planet.

The good news is, we have the knowledge, technology, skills and resources to draw from, we just need to get on with it. 

TNE staff at Heading Upstream Lab in August 2024, where leaders driving change across Australia convened to explore ways to put people and the planet first when it comes to the economy.

Mount Isa’s Future Ready Economy Roadmap: A stronger, more resilient future 

Mount Isa in Queensland’s Gulf Country region is preparing for a critical decade with the development of its Future Ready Economy Roadmap.

Mount Isa is preparing for a critical decade with the development of its Future Ready Economy Roadmap. Stakeholders across government, industry, and the community have already contributed to shaping this crucial work, highlighting its significance to the region’s future. The Roadmap, set for release in February 2025, will outline simple and practical steps to diversify and decarbonise the local economy, build resilience, and improve social wellbeing. 

The Roadmap is an initiative between the Mount Isa City Council, who commissioned and funded the project, and The Next Economy with support from Climate-KIC. 

Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae said: “This initiative unites the voices of the community, industry, and government to create a strategy that addresses current challenges as well as harnesses new opportunities. As Mount Isa looks ahead, the Roadmap will serve as a vital guide, ensuring the region remains a vibrant, resilient place to live and work for years to come.” 

A region facing increasing challenges and emerging opportunities 

Climate-KIC’s Jason Nielsen with The Next Economy’s Reanna Willis and Kate Donnelly enjoying a Mount Isa sunset in-between workshops earlier this year.

Reanna Willis, senior project officer at The Next Economy, said: “Mount Isa is facing growing challenges, from mass job losses to regional connectivity to access to childcare and health services. It’s a critical time for the region to be exploring how to strengthen and diversify the region’s economy in ways that work for the community into the future. 

“The people of Mount Isa get it. They know that, if this change is managed well, there will be more opportunities to improve the liveability, attractiveness and viability here. The region is well-positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities including in critical minerals and renewables as well as strengthen existing industries like tourism. Realising this vision will require significant coordination, collaboration and strong investment from industry, government and the community.” 

Council’s efforts towards economic diversification 

Mount Isa City Council discuss priority areas where support is needed to build a stronger, more resilient future at a The Next Economy workshop in October 2024.

Mount Isa City Council is already taking proactive measures to drive economic diversification. Through detailed economic analysis, the Council has identified 60 stimulus projects designed to retain skilled workers and strengthen the local economy.  

In October, in an Australian first, Council signed a memorandum of understanding with French-Canadian aeronautic company FLYING WHALES to establish a base for large capacity airships to transport heavy or bulky loads such as wind turbine parts. A technical feasibility study and business case is underway. (Read more in this ABC article)

Another notable initiative is the development of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), supported by $6.06 million from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund. Expected to be operational by 2025, the MRF will establish Mount Isa as a recycling hub for the North West. 

Engaging with the community 

A series of workshops with stakeholders across government, industry and community in 2024 will help shape the Roadmap.

In September, The Next Economy held a series of meetings to gather feedback from First Nations people and community service organisations, ensuring the Roadmap reflects the needs and aspirations of the entire community. The Next Economy hosted a further workshop in October with Council to develop pathways to attracting the right attention and support behind local opportunities and priorities. 

Michelle Paulsen, Remote Operations Manager at Centacare North Queensland, was among those who participated in a series of community workshops earlier this year. She highlighted the importance of staying informed about the local economy’s changes and their impact on the community: 
 
“From emergency relief to supporting families and children, the demand for Centacare’s services is being affected by changes in the local economy and resources industry. Staying informed, sharing what we are witnessing on the ground, and engaging in new ideas helps us better support Mount Isa families and individuals in need.  
 
“The workshops were a valuable opportunity to contribute to Mount Isa’s growth and future. Expanding my understanding of circular economy opportunities has given me greater insight into new areas of economic growth. I encourage anyone who cares about Mount Isa’s future and wants to support our local community to get involved.” 

Get in touch to find out more about the initiative

Contact us

Rethinking economic responses: addressing the roots of challenges

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 Lab
Change leaders came together to discuss Australia’s economy
There 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.  

Read more: 

What’s a wellbeing economy? Q+A with our Economic Change Lead Dr Katherine Trebeck, May 2024

On the wellbeing economy, is Australia at risk of dropping the ball?Opinion piece by Dr Katherine Trebeck in Croakey Health Media, 14 May 2024

The Wellbeing Economy in Brief, Dr Katherine Trebeck and Warwick Smith, Centre for Policy Development, February 2024

Community unites: More than 85 people collaborate on Resilient Economy Roadmap

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.” 

Read more:

Primary producers in Hay, Carrathool help shape NSW region’s economic 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 

Decarbonising regional economies: Leaders join forces to break down investment barriers

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.

Read more: 

  • In 2022, Gladstone Regional Council worked with The Next Economy to develop the Gladstone Region Economic Transition Roadmap: 10-Year Roadmap 2022-2032.
  • 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

Primary producers in Hay, Carrathool help shape NSW region’s economic future 

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 

Welcome funding for CQ, SA critical minerals projects

Media Statement, 17 April 2024

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.

For interviews, contact 0415 833 948.

A welcome Future Made in Australia

Media Statement
11 April, 2024

In response to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Future Made in Australia Act 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.”

For media requests, contact 0415 833 948

What next? Community perspectives on Latrobe Valley’s energy transition

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.

Download Here

Gladstone’s 10-year Economic Transition Roadmap

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:

  • Energy security and affordability
  • Establishing a viable hydrogen industry
  • Diversifying the economy
  • Supporting and developing the local workforce
  • Capturing the community benefits
  • Protecting land and water resources.
Download Report
Download Summary

Energising the Future Economy of the Gladstone Region

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.”

Full media release below:

Media ReleaseDownload

Transforming Queensland: The Case for a Transition Authority

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.

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