Work category: News

An exciting new chapter for The Next Economy

A message from Professor John Wiseman, Board Chair at The Next Economy

  • Dr Amanda Cahill to step down as CEO and remain at The Next Economy in a new Founder role, and as a Board Director
  • Lizzie Webb, current COO and former Board Chair, to step into the CEO role from May 2025
  • The Board has every confidence in a smooth leadership transition, and the organisation’s continued commitment to navigate change and build momentum for a rapid, responsible and fair transition
  • Hear from Amanda, and Lizzie, below

Professor John Wiseman, Chair of the Board at The Next Economy

The Next Economy was established in 2018 in response to growing calls – from community, industry and government leaders – to support regions to navigate the growing disruptions and challenges associated with the need to decarbonise the economy.

Since then, we’ve partnered with communities and decision makers to demonstrate how it is possible to manage change in ways that strengthen social, economic and environmental outcomes.

We’ve worked with regions holding the key to Australia’s transition to net zero emissions, focusing on those with carbon-intensive industries, including the Latrobe Valley (Vic), the Hunter Valley (NSW) and Central Queensland (Qld).

Over the past year, global economic and political systems have grown more complex and unstable. In response, The Next Economy has grown substantially. We have supported a new wave of regions and industries to navigate the transition and stepped up our work to give decision makers across government, industry and the investment community the confidence needed to hold the line on long-term policies and investments at a time of great political uncertainty.

Dr Amanda Cahill and Lizzie Webb with The Next Economy’s board and staff in late-2024

We are now working in regions with the capacity for critical mineral extraction and processing such as in North-West Queensland; communities that produce agricultural commodities while managing renewable energy projects and climate impacts, such as in Hay and the New England Renewable Energy Zone in New South Wales; and with significant levels of First Nations land and sea stewardship, such as in Northern Australia.

None of this would have been possible without the vision and leadership of CEO Dr Amanda Cahill and the dedication of staff, partners and supporters. After seven years leading The Next Economy, Amanda has decided to step out of the CEO role and transition into the new role of Founder.

In this new role, Amanda will continue working within the organisation to provide strategic advice, develop new content, mentor staff, manage key relationships and explore new opportunities for The Next Economy. She will also remain on the organisation’s board as a Director.

The Board would like to take this opportunity to both thank Amanda for her enormous contribution as well as congratulate her on the new role.

For this next chapter, we warmly welcome Lizzie Webb, our current Chief Operations Officer, as The Next Economy’s new CEO. An engineer by background, Lizzie brings 20 years of experience leading start-up organisations and teams in the non-profit and social enterprises sectors, including work with communities across regional and remote Australia.

Lizzie has a deep understanding of The Next Economy, first joining as a board director in 2018, before becoming board chair, and moving into staff roles where she has managed both the organisation’s operations as well as overseen initiatives. Most recently, she led collaboration with Mount Isa City Council on the successful development and launch of the city’s Future Ready Economy Roadmap.

Lizzie will officially assume the role on 5 May 2025 and will be supported by Amanda and the TNE leadership team driving key programs across energy, land use and systems change.

The Board has every confidence in The Next Economy’s new leadership and the organisation’s continued commitment to navigating change and building momentum for a rapid, responsible and fair transition.

In the coming months, you will hear more from both Amanda and Lizzie as we reflect on the organisation’s success to date and direction moving forward.

In the meantime, please join us in thanking Amanda for her extraordinary contributions in establishing The Next Economy and welcoming Lizzie to the helm.


Hear From Dr Amanda Cahill and Lizzie Webb

Long-time colleagues and collaborators, Lizzie Webb (L) and Dr Amanda Cahill (R), are working together alongside the board, staff and partners, for a smooth leadership transition at The Next Economy.

Dr Amanda Cahill, outgoing CEO and Founder, said: 

“It has been an honour and privilege to work with inspiring people all over Australia to establish and grow The Next Economy into the strong, catalytic organisation it is today. I have learned so much from so many people who have been part of this journey that has spanned communities from Cairns in Far North Queensland, to the Latrobe Valley down South and across to Western Australia and even the Northern Territory.

“At this crucial time, when the impacts of efforts to decarbonise Australia are becoming increasingly felt, The Next Economy’s work is more important than ever. People across all sectors and regions, from government officials to industry executives, union delegates to Traditional Owners, small businesses to those who don’t always benefit from economic activities are all asking how can we achieve what we need to do in terms of emission reductions, but do it in a way that ensures the protection and regeneration of both nature and our communities.

“They are asking: What does good economic development look like? This is, and will continue to be, the guiding question for The Next Economy. And I look forward to the next seven years of figuring this out with communities across Australia and beyond.”

Lizzie Webb, incoming CEO, said: 

“Amanda has worked tirelessly over the past seven years to support good decision making and action for a just transition. Her work is greatly respected by regions, government and industry alike, and she consistently works hard to inspire and support the climate and environment movement. We’re delighted Amanda will continue to work with us in her new role as Founder, and continue as a TNE Board Director. 

“Supporting regions to navigate complex change to their economies will remain central to our focus. We have a strong team in place and through our 2030 Strategy we will work with a broader range of regions critical to a just transition in Australia, and integrate a strong focus on economic systems change across all aspects of our work. 

“In the next six months, we’ll be working in partnership with multiple regions in western Queensland and central New South Wales on plans to strengthen their economies and maximise the benefits of new development across the energy and agricultural sectors. We will also commence work on a significant coral conservation project, supporting opportunities for First Nations participation and economic sovereignty.”

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.

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