emPOWER: supporting Regional Engagement during the Energy Transition

First Nations Engagement - From Consultation to Empowered Collaboration with Mayor Bruce Simpson

How do we build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with communities that have been over-researched, over-consulted, and over-promised?
Join Wendy Agar in this inspiring episode of the Voices from the Regions series as she explores this question with Mayor Bruce Simpson from the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council. A standout speaker from the 2024 Power Hour virtual forum series, Mayor Simpson shares his perspective on what the energy transition means for his community and how to engage with respect, authenticity, and purpose.
In this episode, he discusses:
Blending traditional cultural values with modern approaches and technical knowledge for transformative energy solutions
Building genuine partnerships beyond consultation for lasting, impactful relationships
Educating communities about renewable energy and its significance for the future
Co-designing projects and creating shared agreements for sustainable, community-driven outcomes
Mayor Simpson challenges the status quo, calling for a new narrative where First Nations communities aren’t just participants, but leaders in the energy shift. Packed with real-world stories and practical advice, this episode is essential listening for anyone working in community engagement, renewable energy, or regional development.
Learn more about Cherbourg’s history here: Ration Shed MuseumCheck out the ‘Understanding First Nations Engagement’ Power Hour here: Power Hour virtual forum
A special thank you to The Energy Charter for supporting this episode and championing better engagement practices across Australia.
Inspired by Mayor Simpson’s message? Hit FOLLOW and SHARE this episode with anyone passionate about genuine engagement, renewable energy, or regional development. Let’s change the conversation together!
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Brent Finlay & Maria Baker - Developing the Foundations for Coexistence: Lessons from McIntyre Windfarm

How do you create lasting relationships between agriculture and the renewable energy industry? Join Wendy Agar as she explores this question with Brent Finlay, a Queensland sheep and wind farmer, former National Farmers’ Federation President, and a host landholder for the McIntyre Windfarm, and Maria Baker, the project’s community engagement lead.
Together, Brent and Maria share their unique insights and learnings from developing the McIntyre Windfarm, one of Australia’s largest renewable energy projects. From fostering early trust to building enduring partnerships, they reveal what it takes to make renewable energy coexist successfully with local communities.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How early engagement sets the foundation for project success
The secrets to building trust and relationships that last decades
Proven strategies for strengthening partnerships
Real-world lessons from the McIntyre Windfarm journey
 
Whether you’re a renewable energy professional, a landholder, or someone passionate about community engagement, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Janine Young & Rod Stowe - Becoming a Welcome Guest: Regional Engagement during the Energy Transition (Lighthouse Series)

Join Wendy Agar as she sits down with Rod Stowe, former Fair Trading Commissioner (NSW), and Janine Young, Ombudsman at Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW.
Rod draws from his experience conducting community engagement reviews for Transgrid’s Hume Link project, while Janine offers her unique perspective on resolving disputes and supporting individuals when things go wrong. Together, they explore what it truly takes to engage effectively during the rollout of essential energy infrastructure.
Tune in to hear their insights on:
Becoming a "welcome guest" in communities
Building and maintaining trust throughout a project
Approaching engagement with a holistic mindset
Navigating the complexities of working in diverse regional settings
Packed with actionable tips and real-world stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in land access, community engagement, or renewable energy projects. Rod and Janine share practical advice on fostering lasting relationships that ensure project success long after completion.
Don’t miss this essential conversation—perfect for professionals driving Australia's energy transition!

Building Bridges in Your Community: Insights on Local Engagement with John Carey

The energy transition is reshaping local communities and businesses, bringing both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. For those living and engaging in their home communities, this shift comes with unique responsibilities. Local community engagement professionals and land agents are often hired because they are trusted, connected, and better equipped to navigate the subtle nuances of their region.
In this episode, Wendy Agar sits down with John Carey, Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Southern Queensland) at Stanwell. With over 16 years of experience in energy and mining, his experience includes engaging with landowners who have experienced three (3) different major energy projects in his home community in the South Burnett region of Queensland. John shares his reflections on engaging authentically for the long term in his home community.
He offers insights on:
Building long-term relationships with the community
The keys to earning and maintaining trust
Delivering genuine, impactful engagement
Navigating the intricacies of working in a region you call home
John also leaves engagement practitioners with an important challenge: "Are you an ‘owner’ or a ‘renter’ in your community’s projects?"
Join us for a thoughtful discussion about the unique challenges and rewards of being deeply embedded in your community’s journey through the energy transition.
John was also a guest panellist on our Power Hour virtual forum, 'Understanding Landholders,' which is definitely worth a watch. Catch the insightful discussion here.Understanding Landholders Power Hour 06 06 2024   ( https://youtu.be/c91EwoOGnT8)
 
Produced By The Podcast Boss

“Discussion not Division” - Sharing the Blueprint of Hay’s Community-Led Process with Ali McLean and Kate Hook

The phrase “If you are not at the table, you are probably on the menu” emphasizes the crucial role of community involvement in decision-making. Communities understand their own needs, aspirations, and dynamics best, and because no two are alike, their participation is essential for any project's success.
In this episode, Wendy Agar chats with Ali McLean from Hay Shire Council and Kate Hook about how their accidental meeting grew into a partnership that led to the proactive, collaborative approach taken by the Hay district in Western New South Wales. They share the inspiring story of how they supported a genuine community-led process to decide what the energy transition should look like for the Hay district.
This episode offers an insightful look into the successful process driven by local leadership and supported by a backbone organization—in this case, Hay Shire Council. Key topics include:
The drivers for Hay to do it differently
The importance of ‘warts and all’ conversations, partnerships, and collaboration
Their process to ‘bring the community along’ on the co-design process
The result of Hay’s efforts is a document outlining the fundamental principles for a successful energy transition in the Hay LGA (Fundamental Principles for Successful Renewal Development in Hay LGA)
If you're involved in renewable energy development or community engagement, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable strategies that can be applied anywhere.
Produced By The Podcast Boss

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

Managing Outrage and Building Trust: 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