emPOWER: supporting Regional Engagement during the Energy Transition

Jamahl Waddington - The Critical Role of Land Agents in Building Social Licence During the Energy Transition

In this episode, we sit down with Jamahl Waddington, Head of Infrastructure Advisory at JLL.  With over 25 years of experience delivering land for large-scale infrastructure projects, Jamahl has a wealth of knowledge, valuable insights and real-world stories to share!
Joining Wendy Agar, Jamahl discusses ‘what’s essential right now’ from a land liaison perspective during the rollout of infrastructure that’s essential to Australia’s energy transition. They dive into key topics, including:
The evolution of the land liaison role over the past 25 years
The foundations of successful land access
How building trust lays the groundwork for social licence
International trends and insights shaping the sector today
 
Packed with practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone working in land access or generally engaging with communities around renewable energy development. Jamahl offers actionable tips for engaging effectively with landholders and building lasting relationships that will help ensure long-term success — long after the project is completed.
If you're involved in land access or the energy transition, this conversation is not to be missed!
 
Produced By The Podcast Boss

Cathy McGowan: Supporting grassroots community change & choices during the energy transition

In this inspiring episode, Wendy Agar sits down with Cathy McGowan for a candid conversation about the energy transition and how it’s impacting regional communities. While some have found the transition challenging, there are shining examples where local leaders have united their communities and developed strategies to ensure a prosperous future in the net zero era.
Together, they delve into:
What’s needed to bring people along on a grassroots change journey
The inspiring example of ‘Totally Renewable Yackandandah in regional Victoria 
The opportunity for regional collaboration models
Cathy shares her stories, ideas, and insights on leading change and promoting proactive engagement with the benefits of the energy transition at a community and regional level. This episode offers a mud map for community members to lead grassroots involvement and initiatives,  and challenges everyone to ensure regional communities are well-informed and central to the net zero transition.
Produced By The Podcast Boss

Agriculture Meets Energy Transition with Carly Burnham (Voices from the Regions Series)

With the majority of clean energy infrastructure being built in regional Australia—largely on privately owned land—engaging with landholders presents unique complexities. These landholders range from large-scale farmers and First Nations people to those on smaller lifestyle properties, each with their own expectations and needs.
In this episode, Wendy Agar sits down with Carly Burnham, the 2024 Australian Organic Farmer of the Year (Home | Bonnie Doone Beef), to explore how agriculture intersects with development in both her business and the broader community. Together, they discuss:
Carly’s insights into the energy transition
The intricacies of running a diversified agricultural business
Social licence in agriculture
Practical strategies for inclusive engagement
This episode is essential listening for anyone looking to understand the perspectives, priorities, and concerns of landholders during the energy transition.  
We’d love to hear your stories about regional engagement during the energy transition! Reach out at enquiries@EngagedOutcomes.com.au .
Learn more about Engaged Outcomes and the work they are doing to empower people to facilitate change in regional rural and remote communities at www.engagedoutcomes.com.au.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Building Trust and Managing Risk: Effective Communication for Controversial Projects with Kelly Parkinson (Lighthouse Series)

In many regional Australian communities, the energy transition feels like something happening to them, not with them. When large-scale changes unfold rapidly, it creates a complex environment for engagement and communication.
In this episode, Wendy Agar sits down with internationally recognized risk communication specialist Kelly Parkinson to explore the fundamentals of risk communication and why it’s such a critical skill for those working on the ground during the energy transition. Together, they discuss:
The first law of risk communication
How to build and maintain trust in uncertain times
Common triggers for community outrage
Key strategies for avoiding and de-escalating outrage
Kelly provides practical insights and techniques to help listeners engage more effectively with regional communities, offering tools to manage heightened emotions and navigate difficult conversations. If you're engaging with individuals or communities around renewable energy development, this episode offers valuable takeaways to build trust and manage risk with confidence.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Navigating Change: Unlocking Shared Benefits in the Wimmera Region with Chris Sounness

The energy transition is bringing significant changes to our regions, and like any unchosen change, it brings with it both opportunities and challenges. In this episode, Wendy Agar sits down with Chris Sounness, CEO of Wimmera Southern Mallee Development, as he shares his insights on fostering collaboration to bring people in the region together and engaging them in the journey through this transformative period of change.He discusses:
How do we have the challenging conversations about change as a community?
How do communities get the benefit when they’re doing the heavy lifting for the energy transition?
How do we learn from the experiences of other regions that have gone through similar shifts?
Chris also offers practical tips and strategies that make this episode a must-listen!
Curious about the impacts and opportunities for regions during the energy transition? Learn more from independent research conducted in the Wimmera, which answers key questions for local communities—and might offer valuable insights for yours too!
Read more here: https://wsm.org.au/initiatives/energy-transition-local-research/
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Andrew Dyer – Better Practice Community Engagement in the Energy Transition

Andrew Dyer is a highly respected and influential energy sector expert, who recently retired from the role of  Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner after a 9 year tenure.  He is currently a professorial fellow at Monash University and has an extensive board portfolio across a broad range of sectors. 
Summary -  In this inaugural episode Wendy and Andrew explore his insights and perspectives from his recently published ‘Community Engagement Review’ report, and the implications for landholders, communities and how engagement is being done.  Andrew also shares what he thinks better practice engagement looks like on the ground.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss