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 will be joined by 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
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
Policy influencing: sharing insights from communities and leaders to inform governments, industry and the public. The Striking a New Deal for Renewables in Regions report was released under this strand.
4 August 2025: As Australia undergoes the shift to renewables, rural and regional communities are demonstrating new ways of securing a good deal from large-scale solar, wind and battery projects.
This is the conclusion of a new report – Striking a New Deal for Renewables in Regions – authored by FRRR and Projects JSA, as part of the Striking a New Deal collaboration. It comes ahead of a first-of-its-kind national gathering of local government and regional development leaders at a Summit hosted by RE-Alliance in Newcastle this week.
The report draws on insights from leaders in regions with significant renewable energy investments around Australia and outlines the common risks and opportunities facing their communities.
While the majority of Australians living in regional communities generally support the nation’s shift to renewable energy (CSIRO, FCA, Porter Novelli), the report clearly shows that the first phase of this change has been challenging.
Leaders have been grappling with significant uncertainty about what will actually be built and when; the local risks and opportunities of these developments for their economy, environment and community; and limited local agency to influence the development process.
With the need to replace aging coal-fired power stations, state and federal governments have so far been ‘building the plane while flying it’. However, with clearer policies and more projects reaching the approval stage, solutions to common issues have emerged, creating more opportunities for regions to achieve meaningful and lasting benefits from investments.
Sarah Matthee, Climate Solutions Portfolio Lead at FRRR, noted, “Communities simply want a good deal in return for hosting this new energy infrastructure. They want certainty, more clarity on the opportunities and risks of these projects, more resourcing and more agency in the decisions being made that will impact their regions for decades to come.”
Lead author, Jack Archer, added, “Development at this scale will never be universally popular, but if locals can see they have been heard and clearly understand how their community will benefit, there can be enduring support for the energy shift in regions across Australia.”
The report recommends government and industry collaborate to produce risk and opportunity accounts, to act as living ledgers, to make the terms of the local deal clearer. Currently information is fragmented and buried in planning documents, and with misinformation on social media and in local networks, it’s difficult for locals to understand what’s going to happen, if they will be better off and what issues need further work as development progresses.
The report also recommends combining the transparency of these new accounts with upgrades to community services and housing, ongoing input from local leaders in the development process and genuine security that benefits will be delivered.
“This set of actions is the key to unlocking the local social licence governments and industry are seeking. It’s a practical approach that can be implemented quickly and it will change the game,” Jack Archer said.
Not-for-profit organisations the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, RE Alliance and The Next Economy, and consultancy Projects JSA are working collaboratively on the Striking a New Deal project to support regional communities at the frontline of the energy transition. Striking a New Deal has worked with community leaders across Australia to share insights and supports initiatives that seek to find a better way to develop renewables in regions.
About FRRR FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) is the only national foundation specifically focussed on ensuring the social and economic strength of Australia’s remote, rural and regional communities. FRRR’s unique model of support is more than money – it connects common purposes and investment from government, business and philanthropy with the genuine needs of rural people and places.
About RE-Alliance The Australian Renewable Energy Alliance, or RE-Alliance, is an independent not-for-profit working to secure a responsible and rapid shift to renewable energy that actively contributes to the strength and resilience of rural and regional Australia.
About The Next Economy The Next Economy, TNE is a not-for-profit economic development agency, working across all economic sectors to support communities manage the transition to a climate-safe, socially just and regenerative economy.
About Projects JSA Projects JSA – Regional Advisory, led by Jack Archer, provides specialised advice on regional development issues in Australia. Jack is one of Australia’s foremost experts on regional development, experienced in policy, strategy, stakeholder consultation and facilitation, leveraging extensive networks and detailed knowledge of each region in Australia.
At the end of May, The Next Economy visited Uralla Shire as part of our work on ‘Striking a New Deal’ (SaND)** – a place-based project delivered in partnership with Uralla Shire Council in NSW to support meaningful community engagement and develop a Renewable Energy Strategic Plan.
Uralla Shire sits within the New England Renewable Energy Zone, an area identified for major renewable energy development, and this plan will support Council to understand community priorities, surface early concerns, identify opportunities for investment and ensure accountability as the region grapples with change.
We spent the week speaking with landholders, business owners, and community leaders. It was clear from these early conversations that Uralla Shire is a place with a strong sense of identity shaped by collaboration, entrepreneurship, and care for their people and land.
Sheep grazing under the New England Solar Farm, located close to Uralla town centre. Credit: Saideh Kent
A Clear Sense of Place
We heard about Uralla’s deep volunteer culture – from the fire brigade to multiple active community interest groups – and about the pride people take in living a self-reliant, community-minded lifestyle. People spoke about looking after the land, farming in sustainable ways, and working together respectfully.
As Saideh Kent, Energy Lead at The Next Economy, noted: “Uralla has an incredible sense of place. People here are proud of what they’ve built together and want to protect that as the region changes.”
This strength is something to build on – not just preserve – as the community navigates the changes ahead.
Why Community Input Matters
Some people we spoke with were uncertain about the value of yet another consultation. That’s understandable, especially as timelines shift or information feels confusing.
“When people are involved early, it’s easier to identify concerns, make better plans, and ensure new development strengthens what’s already good,” Saideh said.
The reality is that council does not have the power to say yes or no to these large-scale renewable energy projects. But what council can do is play a key role in managing this wave of change well – by minimising potential disruptions, identifying shared benefits, and ensuring that development aligns with what the community values.
To do that, council needs to hear directly from people across the Shire. Upcoming community workshops in late June are designed to provide that opportunity -for residents to name priorities, raise concerns, and help shape how renewable energy projects contribute to Uralla’s future.
A sign showing different routes off Uralla main street, which is located on the New England Highway. Credit: Lyndsay Walsh
Choosing the Right Route
This is about more than managing change, it’s about collectively choosing the right route forward. From infrastructure and land use to investment priorities, now is the time to ask: what does good development look like for Uralla Shire? How do we make sure that new projects leave a lasting, positive legacy?
“This isn’t just about wind turbines or transmission lines,” Saideh said. “It’s about making sure Uralla stays a great place to live – with good jobs, healthy landscapes, and a vision for the future that people are excited about.”
How these projects are managed will determine the road ahead, but with the right planning and participation, that can lead where the community wants to go.
A shop front in Uralla saying ‘this is where the magic happens’. Credit: Lyndsay Walsh
Where the Magic Happens
Walking down Uralla’s main street, we spotted a sign in a shop window: ‘This is where the magic happens.’ It felt fitting. The real magic lies in the conversations we’re helping to plan and in the spirit of community that already runs strong in Uralla.
As one local we interviewed put it, “The only way I’m happy living where I am is if my community is happy and going well.” That’s exactly what this work is about, creating the space to support and grow that shared wellbeing.
The Next Economy is currently designing the next phase of engagement based on what we’ve heard so far. Community-wide workshops will run from 25–29 June 2025. You can read more about those and our work with Uralla Shire here: https://yoursay.uralla.nsw.gov.au/sand
**SaND supports regional communities as they navigate the development of renewable energy 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 as part of the SaND project. You can read more about the partnership here: https://nexteconomy.com.au/work/driving-better-community-outcomes-from-renewable-projects/
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.
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:
March 5 2025: Reimagining Diversity in Clean EnergyCareers launches today.
The rapid expansion of clean energy development is driving demand for hundreds of thousands of workers with diverse skills but right now many of those roles remain unfilled.
This shortfall presents an opportunity. The Next Economy’s Reimagining Diversity in Clean Energy Careers report shows that by removing barriers to workforce participation for people from marginalised groups and communities, Australia can achieve a faster and fairer energy transition.
It finds that fostering greater diversity and inclusion in the clean energy workforce can improve outcomes for individuals and communities, all while generating benefits for businesses and regional economies and helping Australia meet its renewable energy targets.
Fostering greater diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workforce can improve outcomes for individuals and communities, as well as generate benefits for businesses and the economy.
The task is significant, but there are practical actions that can be taken to remove barriers to participation and build a workforce that delivers a faster, fairer and more inclusive transition to net zero.
The report outlines several opportunity areas to help drive this change:
Foster a thriving workforce development ecosystem: connecting diverse stakeholders, creating the conditions for collaboration while supporting marginalised individuals and regional economies
Strengthen inclusive career development pathways: providing equitable access and opportunities for all learners and workers
Create supportive and inclusive workplaces: ensuring employees from diverse backgrounds feel welcome, valued and supported at work
The report shows these opportunity areas work best when underpinned by a core principle of putting people at the centre of all workforce development efforts.
Stakeholders from different sectors across Gladstone have set directions for their future and are working together to manage the net zero transition. Pictured here is a representative of the Queensland Department of State Development and Infrastructure, explaining the history of Gladstone’s industrial transitions to visiting philanthropists and investors. Source: The Next Economy / William Debois.
Developed through research, interviews and workshops and drawing on insights from The Next Economy’s work with regional communities at the frontline of the energy transition, the Reimagining Diversity in Clean EnergyCareers report is a resource to support stakeholders take a broader view of what diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace can look like. It highlights actions that leads to workforce development in the clean energy sector that benefit everyone.
Curious to learn more about the report? We’ll be hosting a briefing session in April 2025. Register your interest to be notified of upcoming dates by filling out this form:
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.
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.
Have you ever wondered how inclusive the clean energy workforce is – or could be?
Australia is now firmly in the implementation phase of the energy transition, with more and more employment opportunities in the clean energy workforce. In fact, nearly half a million workers are projected to be needed to reach Australia’s 2030 renewable energy target alone.
The Next Economy is working with a range of stakeholders to explore how to expand the renewable energy workforce to include people who often face systemic barriers to employment. Specifically, in regions with growing demands for workers in clean energy.
The Inclusive Clean Energy Workforce (ICEW) project aims to ignite discussion about how we can work together to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.
Our current discussion paper captures pivotal themes and insights drawn from a desktop review of literature and interviews with stakeholders across the clean energy sector, social services and employment sectors.
In mid-July 2024, we’re hosting a range of workshops to get feedback on this initial piece of work and to dive deeper into opportunities and practical strategies to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in the clean energy workforce.
Opportunities and insights will be captured and shared in a series of sector resources and webinars in the second half of 2024.
Early findings and key points:
Every Australian deserves access to the benefits of clean energy development, including new and existing jobs required for the workforce
The current clean energy sector can improve on diversity, equity and inclusion despite already outperforming other energy sectors including coal and gas
Greater diversity, equity and inclusion not only improves outcomes for individuals, but also can for companies, communities, the sector and the economy
From access to training and education to workplace culture characteristics, there are several systemic, cultural and broader factors and barriers marginalised groups face accessing jobs in the clean energy workforce
Working together, stakeholders from industry, education and training, and civil society can enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in the clean energy workforce
If you’re interested in finding out more, or want to share your insights with us, please contact Jacqui Bell.
Partner with us! An exciting opportunity for one rural or regional community
The transformation of Australia’s energy system is underway, with regional communities playing a crucial role in hosting renewable energy and infrastructure projects. For communities to benefit and actively participate in this transformation, several challenges must first be addressed.
Striking a New Deal (SaND) is a new initiative working directly with community leaders and key stakeholders to drive better outcomes from the development of renewable and infrastructure projects in our regions.
We’re providing resources and support to one community partner for a whole year
SaND will partner with one rural or regional body – a local council, association or organisation – to help your community drive better social and economic outcomes from energy projects in your area.
Whether projects are yet to start, or right in the thick of it, we want to help you work with your community to build the capacity, find points of alignment and develop resources you need to advocate for your immediate and long-term needs.
The one-year program, from August 2024 to August 2025, will be co-designed by you depending on your needs, and the needs of your community. Community benefits can include:
We get it’s not easy to navigate the arrival of renewable energy and negotiate better outcomes for your community. And, from housing shortages to divisions between residents to impacts to nature, there could be multiple important issues to unpack along the way. Let’s work it out together, your way!
What’s the selection process and project timeline?
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) form online by 19 July 2024(the earlier the better!).
On receipt of EOI, eligible hosts will be formally invited to apply by 26 July 2024.
Short-listed applicants will be interviewed in early August 2024.
The project will run to August 2025.
Who is eligible to host the project?
We welcome applications from potential partners in any Australian rural or regional community with renewable energy or infrastructure projects planned or underway in your area.
Strong ties to your community
Capacity to actively participate in a year-long process
An interest in addressing issues and maximising benefits from renewable or infrastructure projects in your community
What are the expectations and costs for the host council, organisation or association?
SaND will cover key costs associated with delivering the program, including:
Our time and expertise
Access to a national network of community leaders and experts
Basic costs of community engagement activities, including venue hire and catering
Engagement with industry and government and communication of project outcomes
The host will need a dedicated contact within their organisation to:
Work with us to design a program specific to their community
Provide links to key stakeholders and organisations within the region
Support the organisation of community workshops and meetings
Champion actions developed through the process
We estimate a two to three hour per week commitment from the contact over the 12-month period, with more time-intensive periods during engagement activities.
What are the benefits of hosting?
Hosting the project offers many benefits for you and your community. This includes:
Support and assistance to plan for and manage for projects in your region
Learn and apply key insights from across Australia to your region
Join a network of regional communities working towards best practices and positive outcomes nationwide.
How does this relate to other community engagement processes occurring in our region?
This project takes a regional approach and works with community groups within a region to: understand each other’s diverse perspectives, to recognise the challenges and identify the opportunities.
This work is important preparation for informed, constructive and productive participation in other community engagement processes occuring in the region and also in negotiations.
By taking a regional approach, this work is place-based, strategic and practical, and is applicable to individual renewable project engagements through to broader REZ or Statewide engagements.
Connect: A national network of regional leaders managing the rollout of large-scale renewables will share knowledge, experience and inform the development of a national, place-based approach adaptable for other communities.
Partner: For one year, we will support a selected regional or rural community partner with the resources, capacity and expertise to drive better outcomes from local projects.
Inform: With our community leaders, we will share our insights with industry and state and federal government to help inform future practices and policies.
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.
Communities in Australia’s coal and gas heartlands say they need greater federal support and policy to mange the energy transition and make the most of economic opportunities.
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.”
We worked with the Queensland government’s Just Transitions Group to develop transition related policies and programs, including the Energy Transition Roadshow (in Rockhampton, Gladstone, Townsville and Cairns) funded by the Queensland Government in 2019/20. The TNE team brought together all levels of government, industry, unions, universities, environment and community groups together to explore how the energy transition was impacting on regions and how it could generate new economic opportunities.
We worked with Stanwell in the development of their corporate strategy, which has led to the company not only integrating transition planning into their five-year strategy but has also led to the development of a workforce and community engagement plan to enable the company to start talking about the inevitability of transition out of coal.
In the wake of the 2019 Federal Election, TNE was able to share the findings of previous transition strategy workshops undertaken in the Hunter Valley and Queensland to challenge the divisive rhetoric that all of regional Australia (especially Queensland) was actively opposed to and in denial of the energy transition. The results from the workshops were used in a widely-shared Guardian article written by CEO Amanda Cahill, that showed that many people were starting to accept that the transition is inevitable, and that there were a number of economic challenges across regional Australia that was exacerbating fear, uncertainty and division.
This article caught the attention of the Deputy Premier of Queensland, who was concerned about the growing division across the State. At the invitation of the Deputy Premier, Amanda participated in a community forum, where she challenged the government’s view that they should avoid talking about transition. Subsequent meetings led to Amanda convincing the State Government to fund the Energy Transitions Roadshow.
The Central Queensland Energy Futures Summit was a gathering of over 140 stakeholders, in Gladstone in April 2021, representing local and state government, energy companies and regulators, industrial sectors, unions, education and training institutions, Traditional Owners and environmental groups.
Amanda Cahill speaks at the summit
The Summit was hosted by The Next Economy and would not have been possible without the generous support of the sponsors Stanwell, CleanCo, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), CQUniversity and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
This report by The Next Economy summarises the activities over the two days and the key messages that came out of audience participation.
The Next Economy has trained over 300 people working in environment, climate and social service organisations on how to work effectively with regional communities. This has included members of:
In recognition of the importance of the food and agriculture sector and its impact on the resilience of Queensland’s iconic Great Barrier Reef, Sustainable Table (funded by the Morris Family Foundation) commissioned The Next Economy to undertake the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Reef Resilience Project. The project has three broad objectives, which are to:
Provide a deeper understanding of current challenges and enablers for the food, agriculture and land use transition in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region;
Establish a range of priorities to inform the Sustainable Table Fund (formerly Ripe for Change); and
