Projects – The Next Economy

Nature, people and place: why Australia’s environmental laws are critical for regions

Australia is rewriting its national environmental laws in response to widespread recognition that the current system is failing both nature and communities. In our submission to the reform process, we shared what we’ve heard from regional Australians around how to make these laws work for people, place and the environment.

Australia’s national environmental laws (commonly referred to as the EPBC Act) are under reform, a long-awaited response to widespread recognition that the existing system has been failing both nature and communities.

Regional Australians and communities are on the frontline of economic and environmental change. Major infrastructure and industry projects are reshaping landscapes, economies and communities at a pace not seen for decades. These developments will often fall under the scope of these reforms, and how the new national environmental laws are designed and implemented will directly affect regional people, places and industries. Getting it right for the regions is key to getting it right for the country.

Lake Moondarra in Mt Isa, an important water resource for locals. Credit: Chris Grose

At The Next Economy, we made a submission to the recent national review process. Drawing on years of work alongside regional communities, we highlighted how clear and effective national environmental laws are essential not only for protecting biodiversity, but for ensuring regional communities can participate in, inform, and benefit from sustainable development.

We made a number of suggestions in our submission – including the need to involve regions as active partners in decisions around land, water, biodiversity and cultural heritage. Done well, this approach can build trust and provide long-term certainty for communities, industry and government.

Regions care deeply about the environment, and want a say in looking after it

People in regional areas have a deep connection to their local environments. First Nations peoples continue to care for Country they have for thousands of years. Farmers, land managers, and local organisations are restoring landscapes, protecting biodiversity, and trialling regenerative practices.

The clear message from across our engagement is: people want to contribute to environmental stewardship, not be excluded from decisions that shape the places they live and work in. In turn, national environmental laws should reflect and support this shared responsibility.

We’re not asking for handouts. We want the government to help us build sustainable, thriving and diverse regional communities.
Hunter Valley, NSW, resident

The pace of development is accelerating, and planning needs to keep up

From energy infrastructure to new mines and transport projects, many regional communities of Australia are experiencing a scale of development not seen before in their lifetimes. While most recognise the importance of reducing emissions and diversifying local economies, there is also legitimate concern the speed of development could damage the ecosystems they depend on.

For example, regional councils and planning bodies are under pressure, often managing overlapping project proposals without the resources or tools to coordinate them well. Proposed reforms to introduce bioregional planning could help manage cumulative impacts most effectively if the plans are developed transparently, with strong national environmental standards and meaningful community input.

National Environmental Standards set the rules and benchmarks that guide how environmental decisions are made. Embedding the intent of the Standards into the reform bill itself avoids the risk of processes being inconsistent, politically vulnerable, and failing to meet their intended goals.

What we have left in terms of biodiversity is precious and irreplaceable.
Uralla, NSW, resident

Community hopes and concerns around how renewables might impact nature and land use, Uralla NSW. Credit: Lyndsay Walsh

Community engagement is essential to building trust

Across every region we work in, from coal regions to those with agriculture and primary production as their foundation, people are asking for the same thing: early, clear and respectful engagement. They want to be involved in shaping the future, not just responding to decisions after they’re made.

Good engagement can’t be rushed and should be covered in its own Standard. It needs to be local, inclusive, and transparent – especially when dealing with complex planning issues. Structured dialogue, space for different views and clear feedback loops are essential to making engagement meaningful.

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.
Mount Isa, Qld, resident

What’s needed to make these reforms work for regional Australia

Our submission to the reform process highlighted several opportunities to improve outcomes through the EPBC Act:

1. Participatory regional planning

Our experience working with regions highlights that effective regional planning considers cumulative environmental, social, economic and cultural impacts. Processes should be place- based, participatory and inclusive of diverse local voices including Traditional Owners and communities, who have local knowledge of land, water and climate pressures.

2. Safeguards around fast-track pathways

While faster assessments may be beneficial, they should not come at the cost of strong environmental standards or community input. Trust in planning systems relies on transparent, consistent rules that apply to all projects – including large and high- risk developments.

3. Local benefits from offsets and restoration

Offset mechanisms provide an opportunity to support environmental repair in the regions they affect. That means investing in locally governed land care and restoration efforts that create jobs, strengthen drought resilience, and go some way in compensating for damage and impacts to local ecosystems.

4. Embedding First Nations leadership

It is critical that environmental laws respect cultural values and rights, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent. Recognising First Nations knowledge, governance and land management is essential to ecological restoration and climate resilience.

5. Adapting to climate risk

Assessment frameworks must account for a changing climate, not just today’s conditions. Climate risk and future impacts on ecosystems, water and communities should be central to all planning and approvals.

We will know we are achieving a good energy transition when the environment is protected and nurtured.
Latrobe Valley, Vic, resident

Looking ahead: implementation will be the true test

Sunset on the Hay Plains, NSW. Credit: Jacqui Bell

Legislation matters, but what matters more is how it’s applied on the ground. For our national environmental laws to be effective, implementation should happen in ways that:

Deliver real improvements for the environment

Support strong, inclusive regional economies

Build public trust through transparency and accountability

Reflect the values and knowledge of local communities.

Regional Australia is where these reforms will play out – in our forests, farms, waterways, landscapes and towns. The knowledge and leadership already present in these communities is a critical part of getting it right.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Striking a New Deal for Uralla Shire

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.

New-England-Solar-farm-with-sheep — *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.

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/

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.”

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.

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

Five ways to empower regions in clean energy workforce development

The Australian Government can play a key role in helping regional communities prepare for the economic changes brought on by the clean energy transition.

As many clean energy jobs will be concentrated in regional renewable energy zones, building the capacity of regional communities to manage development, attract investment for enabling services and infrastructure, and address workforce challenges is essential.

With effective resources and support, local stakeholders can lead efforts to create training programs, support services, and initiatives that ensure a skilled and diverse workforce while fostering sustainable regional development.

In September, The Next Economy provided a submission for the National Energy Workforce Strategy Public Consultation process. In it, we identified a range of insights on increasing inclusivity in the clean energy workforce (read more here), as well as five examples of actions that already are or have to potential to empower regions in clean energy workforce development:

Coordinate planning and development of clean energy projects, associated infrastructure and other industries within a region. Regional coordination and phased planning can manage workforce demand and support worker mobility. Co-locating new manufacturing and industry precincts within renewable energy zones also have the potential to stabilise clean energy workforce demand and create lasting careers. Developers and industry benefit from these approaches with clear roles, responsibilities, and timelines, along with cost certainty and transparent infrastructure investment programs.

For example: the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) works with councils, government departments and the community to provide employment, transport, public space and housing planning in the context of an increasing population. The VPA has identified the staged development of housing lots and required infrastructure such as roads and utilities.
Develop place-based training and education initiatives and partnerships: that aggregate skill and expertise demand from across sectors and co-designs and delivers courses with industry in a region.

For example: in the Upper Spencer Gulf, Uni Hub is working with local industries to ensure their needs are connected with training providers and potential students.
Support local businesses to adapt and scale up their operations for greater participation in the sector. In many regional areas where new energy development is proposed, the scale of workers required outstrips the local labour market. In addition, the essential services and infrastructure required to support workforce and population growth are limited or non-existent.

Currently, local content requirements from state governments are aimed to drive regional economic benefits. However, often insufficient existing workforce capacity, the cost to prepare businesses to be ready to tender for clean energy development contracts, and uncertainty around long-term work security all limit the capacity of local businesses to scale their operations and bring on new workers.

For example: TNE’s work with Hay and Carrathool shire councils on climate adaptation and economic transition this year has shown that local businesses are interested in tendering for large renewables projects but lack the capacity and resources to adapt. Uncertainty around work pipelines, contracts, timing, and qualifications prevents businesses from scaling, investing in workforce development, or hiring. Early engagement and ongoing support are crucial for scaling regional workforce development. Accessible, up-to-date local data is needed to improve transparency, workforce planning, and equitable recruitment strategies.
Provide resources for local government and local stakeholders: to carry out the feasibility and business planning activities necessary to develop the case for investment in local services, coordination activities and infrastructure.

For example: in the Cradle Coast Region, developers are working together to address housing shortage as they understand it is a key constraint to renewable energy development. In Gladstone, the economic roadmap process delivered by the local council identified the lack of birthing facilities as a key barrier to retaining workers once they are married and look to start families. Improving access to health services in Gladstone is seen a core strategy to retain the workforce. In NSW, the Murrumbidgee Council has negotiated to improve health services through the community benefit agreement.
Embed additional capacity within local governments: to manage and coordinate regional clean energy related activities. Regional local governments play a key role in coordinating clean energy activities, managing community benefits, and supporting the infrastructure and workforce needs of the energy transition. In Renewable Energy Zones, local governments are dedicating significant resources to these tasks, often diverting attention from regular operations due to limited funding and staff. Many are handling large, complex projects unseen in their region for decades, requiring new expertise to manage the technical, legal, and managerial aspects of energy development.

For example: An NSW Government initiative is providing $250,000 of funding for local governments to carry out planning over the next 3 years is an example of the type of support required; however additional and enduring funding (for the duration of the energy infrastructure development in the region) is necessary to cover the true cost that local governments will bear to manage the energy transformation effectively in their region.

To find out more, read more about our Inclusive Clean Energy Workforce project.

Increasing inclusivity in the clean energy workforce

New research from UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) shows the electricity workforce alone needs to double within five years to meet Australia’s 2030 renewable energy target. More than 80 per cent of these roles will be in renewables, with energy storage jobs soon surpassing domestic coal and gas sectors.

This research highlights the big opportunity to address workforce shortages, especially in regional areas, by fostering inclusive policies that ensure equitable benefits and meaningful employment across all communities. Prioritising inclusion and equity in workforce development is key to a just and fair transition toward a net-zero future for all Australians.

In September, The Next Economy provided a submission for the National Energy Workforce Strategy Consultation Paper. We identified five examples of actions that already are or have to potential to empower regions in clean energy workforce development (read more here) alongside the following key insights:

The benefits of enhancing diverse participation and meaningful employment

Every Australian should benefit from clean energy development, including the opportunity to access and meaningfully participate in the workforce. Research shows Australia’s clean energy workforce, like many other industries, has room to improve in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Factors like competition with other industries and projects, lack of training, the characteristics of clean energy jobs, and insufficient regional consultation contribute to workforce shortages in the sector overall.

Greater attention to diversity, equity and inclusion in workforce development carries broad benefits. Companies who have engaged in inclusive hiring processes have reported benefits such as access to a larger talent pool, higher retention and satisfaction rates, improved workplace culture and greater performance and productivity. In turn, inclusive and equitable workforce development practices facilitate pathways into jobs for people who often face systemic barriers to employment. It also promotes greater workforce diversity, fosters a workers’ sense of belonging and inclusion, enhances health and social outcomes and ensures workers are treated with respect and dignity and more likely to be retained.

An opportunity to power First Nations Jobs

The clean energy transformation is an opportunity to increase workforce participation of First Nations Peoples. The Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy report, by the First Nations Clean Energy Network, is a detailed resource that identifies pathways and options for First Nations Peoples to be supported to enter the clean energy workforce and access quality job opportunities and career pathways as they emerge.

Consistent, long-term Government investment in job readiness and business support programs that are led and codesigned by and for First Nations Peoples is needed. Such investment can support the scaling of efforts underway by the private sector in implementing partnerships and employment pathway programs tailored to First Nations Peoples. For example, in the Department of Defence’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Downer Defence worked with a range of partners to deliver training programs and initiatives that support small and medium sized Indigenous businesses to enter and thrive in the defence industry.

Support for migrants, refugees, people with a disability and those recently out of prison

Our research has found that affordability of training, lack of awareness around the need for workforce equity and inclusion, misconceptions about abilities, procurement requirements, development speed, and the culture of clean energy workplaces, all impede on the diverse participation in the clean energy workforce.

Strategies tailored to people and their unique context can drive greater participation in the clean energy workforce for different groups. These include building awareness, inspiration and attraction to clean energy careers across diverse populations, improving access to affordable higher education, ensuring ‘wrap around support’ is available for people transitioning into work, cross sectoral collaborations and partnerships, and fostering a workforce culture that is inclusive and values the abilities and contributions of all.

The rapidly growing clean energy sector is well poised to develop a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce at the scale and pace required to achieve national targets. Other related sectors have experienced the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce over the years and developed significant body of knowledge on how to support workforce development in an inclusive and equitable way. The clean energy sector has the advantage of drawing on this existing knowledge and ensure that opportunities in the clean energy workforce benefits all Australians.

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

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.”

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

Can we improve inclusiveness in the clean energy workforce?

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.

Driving better community outcomes from renewable projects

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!

Register your Expression of Interest by 19 July 2024. For further information see our FAQs, below, or contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact Saideh or Lisa

More about Striking a New Deal

Striking a New Deal (SaND) is a joint initiative of nonprofits, The Next Economy, RE-Alliance, and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal in partnership with ProjectsJSA. The community partnership is one of three key areas of the initiative which aims to:

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.

What’s a Wellbeing Economy?

We ask Dr Katherine Trebeck, Economic Change Lead at The Next Economy

In a nutshell, what is a wellbeing economy?

An economy designed deliberately to work for people and the planet, not the other way around as so often seems to be the case today. It’s about creating a context in which people thrive, first time around, rather than having to deploy loads of resources trying to fix and repair after damage has been done. This means initiatives that speak to the purpose of the economy, prevention, predistribtion (not just redistribution), and a people powered economy.

So, it requires thinking about what activities we need more of because they help create that context and finding ways to expand those activities: being selective about what is growing, rather than pursuit of any sort of growth.

Are there any examples of using this framework successfully? If so, how?

Think about the wellbeing economy not so much as a framework, but more as a paradigm. It requires a substantial shift in how the economy is thought about and approached. It is about seeing the economy as a mechanism to meet our real goals, and certainly not something to which all other goals are subservient. Not only are we seeing a growing conversation and emerging such as the Wellbeing Economy Alliance initiatives where people are coming together to promote the agenda or its component parts, but there are loads of examples of governments and enterprises making the sort of changes that are necessary. For example:

Multidimensional measurement dashboards (Australia’s Measuring What Matters statement is an example of this) and support for social enterprises (the recently announced Social Enterprise Development Initiative, for example)
Circular economy production and public transport systems
Community or worker owned businesses such as the Earth Worker Cooperative in Victoria
Considering the environmental cost of the things we buy.

The challenge is that while there is no shortage of examples, often they are the exception that proves the rule. One nice illustration of the potential for this is seen in the Community Wealth Building work happening in places like Cleveland in the US and in Preston in the UK (plus in various parts of Australia too). In Preston, there has been research which shows the council’s efforts to procure locally, to support local businesses and local employment has meant the local economy has been more resilient, but also people’s mental health and reported personal wellbeing has improved.

How might the principles of a wellbeing economy help address current challenges posed by high cost of living pressures?

A key feature of a wellbeing economy approach is to look at the root causes of an issue, and not just respond crisis to crisis, symptom to symptom.

So in terms of cost-of-living pressures and high housing costs as a key part of that, a wellbeing economy approach would entail examining the way the housing market operates – who owns the houses? What taxes and incentives encourage the sort of ownership patterns that are forcing up prices? Why aren’t there more community housing cooperatives and other modes of providing housing in Australia?

It would then step back and reflect on what the ultimate goal is – shelter for people in Australia’s towns and cities. It would then think about what needs to change in the economy for more people to have access to good quality shelter – perhaps that means shifting taxes to discourage people owning more and more homes as investment devices? Perhaps that means changing planning laws to enable more community groups to co-own housing? Perhaps that means ensuring homes are built with high energy efficiency standards so once people move into them, they aren’t spending huge amounts on heating and cooling them.

And speaking of energy efficiency, a wellbeing economy approach is also about being ambitious for flow-on benefits – so if housing is being built, can it help address environmental challenges by needing less carbon and using more recycled materials? Can it help address equity and inclusion by being built by companies employing local people, which have gender balance in their teams, and which pay living wages etc? And can it help roll out models of enterprise that have a social purpose at their heart, so could the houses be owned by a housing cooperative?

How might Australia adopt a wellbeing economy framework? What are the steps that need to happen?

There’s a precondition for government acting – that’s people talking about it, and being able to imagine an economy that serves them, not the other way around: an economy that doesn’t generate so much inequality and put so much pressure on the planet. That will be helped by learning about examples of this in practice, even in small scale. Then policy makers need to step in to design the rules of the game so those good examples are common place.

What would a state or federal budget for a wellbeing economy look like?

It would use things like taxes and subsidies to support the sort of activities which are good for people and planet, and to discourage those that aren’t. In other words, it would ask what we need more of and how can mechanisms in the budget help cultivate them?

With the support of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, The Next Economy is convening an ‘Upstream Lab’ to explore the economic root causes of many of today’s challenges, including how to take action where there is scope to prevent harm happening in the first place. More details to come as we roll out this exciting initiative.

Find out more:

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

One step closer for NZEA Bill 2024

On Tuesday 23 April 2024, The Next Economy’s CEO Dr Amanda Cahill addressed a Senate Committee Public Hearing in Canberra on the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024 and the Net Zero Economy Authority (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024.

Dr Cahill recognised the importance of a national independent authority to support workers, industries, and regional communities to manage the transition to net zero.

She also highlighted the need for a broadening of the scope of the Authority to ensure it is fit for purpose long into the future. TNE’s four key recommendations were to:

Expand the Authority’s role to support coal mining and gas regions not tied to domestic energy generation (fossil fuel exports) and other regions and economic sectors beyond fossil fuels (e.g. agricultural and critical mineral regions)
Provide direct support to regions to build capacity to enable them to undertake place-based planning and coordination to better manage the complex range of tasks required over time (e.g. from investment and support to long-term community benefits)
For the Authority to have independent funding to distribute at its own discretion to support regional planning, decision making, and economic development activities related to the transition.
Have at least one NZEA board member with substantial experience in regional development, community development and/or the social sector.

For more information, visit the Parliament of Australia website.

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 Release Download

Victorian Senate Enquiry Submission

We recently made a submission to the senate enquiry into the closure of the Hazelwood and Yallourn power stations in Victoria. This submission responds to the three points listed in the inquiry Terms of Reference, outlined below:

(a) impact of the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station on the economy and jobs of the Latrobe Valley, and the success or otherwise of economic recovery efforts to date;

(b) expected economic impacts of the proposed closure of Yallourn Power Station in 2028 and options the State Government can pursue to offset the loss of more than 1,000 direct jobs from the plant, as well as associated contractors;

(c) success or otherwise of the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) to help the region transition, in light of the decline of funding made available to the LVA over successive State Budgets.

TNE_Submission_LVA_202112163618-1 Download

Queensland Government Energy Transition Roadshow

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.

Stanwell Energy Corporation strategic advice

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.