emPOWER: supporting Regional Engagement during the Energy Transition

Global Insights: International Lessons from the Energy Transition - Nils Hay

In this Lighthouse Series episode of the emPOWER podcast, Wendy Agar is joined by Nils Hay, Winston Churchill Fellow and regional development leader from Western Australia. Nils recently completed his international study tour, Regional Power Surge, exploring how large-scale renewable and low-carbon energy projects are impacting regional communities across the globe.
Together, Wendy and Nils explore the big question: How do we enable the energy transition to move at the pace required—while ensuring meaningful, lasting benefits for the regional communities who host the infrastructure and hold the resources?
In this episode, they discuss:
Global takeaways on community benefits, social license, policy, and coexistence
Stories of regional communities abroad that are thriving through the transition
Cautionary tales that highlight what not to do
Key lessons and best practice Australia can take on board—right now
How global insights can influence better outcomes in our own backyard
Nils brings a grounded, real-world perspective shaped by years working across regional development and local government in Queensland and Western Australia.  You can read his Churchill report here: Report Completed - Nils Hay
EmPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO collaboration across the energy sector nationally, delivering better outcomes for customers and communities in the energy transition.
Tune in to hear how we can avoid repeating mistakes, borrow from global success stories, and build a stronger, fairer transition for regional Australia.
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Beyond Netball Skirts & BBQs: How Miles Took Control with a Community Investment Plan with Deputy Mayor Kylie Bourne

When big energy projects come to town, what lasting impact do they leave behind? Too often, regional communities receive a flood of short-term sponsorship dollars—but without a plan, the money disappears, leaving little more than a few BBQs and a set of netball skirts.
The community of Miles, QLD, refused to let that happen!
During the coal seam gas (CSG) boom, this small town 300km west of Brisbane found itself at the centre of rapid development. Rather than accepting a cycle of fragmented funding, a group of locals took control—leading a co-designed Community Investment Plan that ensured energy company investments and community benefit funds could easily be strategically aligned with the town’s long-term vision, creating real, lasting impact.
In this episode, Western Downs Regional Councils Deputy Mayor Kylie Bourne joins host Wendy Agar to unpack:
  Why Miles created a strategic blueprint to ensure developer investments deliver lasting benefits.
  The step-by-step approach they used to develop a Community Investment Plan to align funding with local priorities.
      The critical role of local leadership in driving self-determination.
      Lessons from over a decade of refining and evolving a living, adaptable plan.
What industry, developers, and governments must do to move beyond transactional funding.
This isn’t just the story of one town—it’s a blueprint for any community facing rapid change. Want more real-world lessons? Check out these other emPOWER episodes:
      Episode 2 with Chris Sounness (the Wimmera region, Vic)
      Episode 5 with Cathy McGowan (the Gippsland region, Vic)
      Episode 7 with Ali McLean & Kate Hook (Hay, NSW)
to hear how other communities are navigating the energy transition and check out The Energy Charter’s #BetterTogether Wimmera Southern Mallee Collaboration to see what’s happening on the ground.
 A special thank you to The Energy Charter for supporting this episode. Their commitment to best-practice engagement and empowering communities makes them the perfect partner for this series.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Dr Kieren Moffat- Why Are Communities Angry? The Social License Dilemma

It’s a question that keeps popping up in the energy shift across the country—and one that professionals across the industry struggle to answer. Why do some communities push back harder than others? Why does trust seem so hard to build… and so easy to lose?
Join Wendy Agar, your host, as she unpacks  the deep drivers of community anger, social license and trust building with Dr Kieren Moffat, a global expert who has spent decades turning research into real-world action. From tackling inter-group conflict in the Australian Defence Force to leading groundbreaking work at CSIRO and launching Voconiq, Kieren has seen firsthand what fuels community frustration—and, more importantly, what actually works to rebuild trust.
We’re tackling the tough questions, including:
      What does community actually look like in the energy shift?
      How does anger show up—and is it always obvious?
      If we know so much about social license, why is it difficult to achieve?
      What’s the difference between building trust vs. gaining acceptance?
What impact does internal company culture have on engagement outcomes—and what can individuals do to shift the narrative?
This isn’t just theory—this is about practical solutions. Whether you’re in renewables, infrastructure, or community engagement, this episode will help you navigate complexity, reduce friction, and engage communities in ways that actually work.
From a dream of becoming a pro golfer to global social license expert, Kieren’s journey is anything but typical…and neither is this conversation!
Tune in now and get ready to change the way you think about social license, building trust and gaining acceptance!
Produced by The Podcast Boss

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