emPOWER: Voices of the Regional Energy Shift

Can Regions Shape Their Own Energy Future? Lessons from the New England REZ

What happens when a region doesn’t speak with one voice,  but still has to make decisions about its future?
We often talk about “the regions” as if they’re one place - one voice - but on the ground, that’s just not the reality.
In the New England region of New South Wales, the energy transition is playing out every day across farming communities, regional centres and local councils,with each navigating change in different ways.
Some people are leaning in.  Some are pushing back.  Most are somewhere in the middle, weighing opportunity, disruption and what this means for the long-term future of their region.
So what does it actually take for a region to shape its own pathway through the energy transition?
Designated as a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and home to a growing pipeline of renewable and transmission projects, New England is right in the middle of this shift.
In this episode of emPOWER, host Wendy Agar speaks with Councillor Sam Coupland (Mayor of Armidale Regional Council and Chair of the Coalition of Renewable Energy Mayors) about what the transition actually looks like from inside a region working through it in real time.
This conversation goes beyond the headlines to explore what’s really happening as communities balance opportunity, uncertainty and long-term legacy.
In this episode, we cover:
What the New England REZ actually means for communities on the ground
Why most people sit in the middle — not for or against, but weighing trade-offs
The growing tension between policy ambition and lived experience
Why benefits are often promised but not yet landing in communities
The reality of consultation fatigue — and what meaningful engagement looks like instead
How councils are working together through the Coalition of Renewable Energy Mayors
What regional leaders need from industry and government right now
At its heart, this conversation explores a simple idea:  Every region has the right to shape its own pathway through the energy transition.
For developers, engagement professionals, land access teams and policymakers working in regional Australia, this episode offers insight into what it takes to partner thoughtfully with communities in ways that support their aspirations, priorities and identity.
This episode is part of the Regions at the Helm series, supported by The Energy Charter — a national collaboration working with communities, industry and government to deliver better outcomes through the energy transition.
 
Produced at our The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane

Balancing the Scales for Women in Energy

Women make up around 3% of on-site trades roles in the energy sector.
At the same time, Australia’s energy transition is facing one of the largest workforce challenges in its history.
So what needs to change if the industry is serious about attracting, and keeping, women in energy?
In this episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar brings listeners inside the conversations from the PowerUp International Women’s Day event in Kingaroy, where more than 150 women in high-vis and their allies came together to share their experiences of working across the energy sector.
Joining Wendy are two women helping drive change across the industry:
Mel Street — electrical tradie, founder of Lady Tradies and Rocking Chicks, and co-founder of the PowerUp network.
Dr Liz Beavis — engineer working in asset and risk management in renewables and co-chair of the Clean Energy Council’s Onshore Wind and Utility Scale Solar Directorate.
Together they unpack the real issues raised by women working across regional and site-based energy roles, including:
Supporting boots-on-the-ground women in energy• Why mentoring and leadership pathways matter• Practical barriers still affecting women on site• Why the energy transition needs to actively welcome women into the workforce• What industry leaders, project managers and colleagues can do tomorrow to help balance the scales
At its heart, this conversation comes back to one idea:
The energy transition will require a massive workforce, and the industry cannot afford to overlook half the talent available to it.
If you work in renewables, engagement, land access, community relations or project development in regional Australia, this episode offers practical insight into building a stronger, safer and more inclusive energy sector.
The energy transition isn’t just about infrastructure.  It’s about people.
 
Produced at our The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane

Can You Rate Trust? The Developer Rating Scheme Explained

Across regional Australia, communities are increasingly asking a simple question: how do we know which energy developers we can trust?
As renewable energy and transmission projects accelerate, trust between industry and regional communities has become one of the defining issues of the energy transition.
One of the most significant responses to that challenge is the Developer Rating Scheme (DRS) — a new initiative designed to lift standards, improve transparency, and help communities understand how developers are performing.
In this episode of emPOWER, host Wendy Agar speaks with three people closely involved in shaping the scheme:
Tony Maher, Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner• Charlie Prell, retired farmer and Chair of the Landholder Lived Experience Panel• Tracy Lefroy, grain grower and former Shire President from Western Australia
Together they unpack the purpose, opportunities and real-world challenges of the Developer Rating Scheme, including:
Why trust has become such a defining issue in the energy transition • What landholders and communities are experiencing on the ground • How the Developer Rating Scheme will actually work • Why transparency matters for landholders, neighbours and regional communities • The opportunities — and challenges — as the scheme prepares to launch • What developers should be doing now to build trust and position themselves well
At its heart, this conversation comes back to three things: trust, transparency and accountability.
It also raises an important idea — that communities themselves may play a powerful role in demanding and driving the success of the Developer Rating Scheme.
This episode of emPOWER is supported by The Energy Charter, a national collaboration working with communities, industry and government to deliver better outcomes through the energy transition.
If you work in renewables, transmission, land access, stakeholder engagement or regional development, this conversation will help you understand one of the most important new initiatives shaping how energy projects are developed in regional Australia.
Because the success of the energy transition won’t just depend on infrastructure.
It will depend on trust.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Cutting through the transition complexity with Paul Binsted

In this thought-leaders episode of emPOWER, host Wendy Agar speaks with one of Australia’s most experienced energy leaders — Paul Binsted, Chair of Energy Corporation of NSW and former Chair of Stanwell Corporation in Queensland.
With deep experience across corporate finance, infrastructure, generation, and transmission,Paul brings unmatched insight into the reality of Australia’s energy transition. In this conversation, he breaks down a complex system with clarity, exploring what it really takes to deliver abundant, affordable, and reliable energy while ensuring regional communities share in the benefits of a fair transition.
Together, Wendy and Paul unpack big questions shaping Australia’s energy future, including:
The current state of the energy transition across the country — and what it means for host communities
Why abundant and reliable energy underpins a thriving, modern society
The importance of genuine engagement, good-neighbour behaviour, and working with a generosity of spirit
The three priorities Paul believes Australia must get right for communities to adapt and thrive
What success could look like in 2035 — for both the energy system and the regions powering it
This episode is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, partnering with communities to deliver the Regional Energy Accord — bringing people, industry, and government together to guide the transition and create real local outcomes.
Settle in for a thoughtful, clear, and timely discussion with Paul Binsted — and discover what a fair and prosperous energy future could look like for regional Australia.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Supporting Communities in Transition with David Shankey

In this thought-leaders episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar speaks with David Shankey, CEO of the Net Zero Economy Authority, the national body helping Australia’s regions and communities navigate the shift to a net zero emissions economy.
Before leading the Authority, David was Deputy Director-General at Queensland’s Department of Energy and Public Works, where he built a reputation for his deep expertise in energy and climate policy—and his commitment to ensuring regional communities share in the benefits of change.
Together, Wendy and David explore a big question: How can we meet Australia’s national energy needs while ensuring host communities share in the benefits of a fair transition?
Drawing on his experience, David unpacks:
The current state of play for regional communities and landholders in Australia’s energy transition
What needs to happen to support both traditional energy regions in transition and communities experiencing new renewable development
The role of government partnership and community-led planning in shaping fair and lasting outcomes
Why there’s no single silver bullet, but many local solutions needed for diverse regional economies
emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 
across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.
 
Produced By The Podcast Boss

Walking the Tightrope – Community Leadership in the Energy Transition with Mayor Andrew Smith and Tracy Lefroy

In this thought-leaders episode of emPOWER, host Wendy Agar speaks with two passionate regional advocates — Mayor Andrew Smith from Western Downs Regional Council in Queensland and Tracy Lefroy, former Shire President of Moora in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt — about what it takes to lead communities through change in Australia’s energy transition.
While their regions are at different stages of renewable energy development, both Councils are navigating the same challenge — guiding their communities through rapid change while keeping politics out of it. They talk candidly about the bravery and leadership required to bring people along, the importance of communication, transparency, and collaboration, and why communities need to be partners, not passengers, in shaping their energy future.
Together, they unpack:
How councils can and must help their regions adapt and thrive through change
The need for genuine partnership, open dialogue, and confident and informed decision-making
Why diversification and co-existence are key to sustainable regional economies
Their vision for a fair transition where, in their words, “regions are partners in progress, not casualties of change.”
Join Wendy, Andrew, and Tracy as they explore how Australia can meet its national energy needs while ensuring regional communities share in the benefits — and the future — of a fair transition.
emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 
across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Regional Renewable Partnerships with Andy Bray – Building Community Support for the Energy Transition

In this episode, Wendy Agar speaks with Andy Bray, CEO of RE-Alliance, about a critical question for Australia’s energy transition: how can we meet national energy needs while ensuring regional communities genuinely benefit?
Andy highlights that while the silent majority support renewable energy, this support is conditional—people want to understand what the transition means for their region.
Drawing on RE-Alliance’s work, he explores the importance of:
Clear communication about local risks and opportunities
Transparency and trusted information
Collective planning with communities at the centre
Building local capacity to shape the transition in their region
Whether you work in energy, government, or regional development, this episode makes the case for collaboration, fairness, and community-led planning as the foundation for a sustainable energy transition.
 
emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 
across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.
 
Produced By The Podcast Boss

Fair Outcomes for Farmers & Communities with Michael Katz

In this thought leaders episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar speaks with Michael Katz, CEO of RELA, about one of the biggest questions in Australia’s energy transition: how do we meet national energy needs without sidelining the farmers and communities who host the projects?
Michael doesn’t mince words. His vision is clear: landholders must be partners, not bystanders. As he puts it, “everyone benefits or loses together”—and the only way forward is genuine collaboration that values all perspectives and negotiates from there.
From his work with RELA, Michael unpacks:
The current context in regional australia
How the future of farming is shifting—where food, fibre, clean energy, biodiversity, and decarbonisation can all co-exist
Why co-existence isn’t compromise, but a path to greater productivity and resilience
What success in 2035 could look like if farmers and communities are truly at the centre
Whether you’re in energy, government, or regional development, this episode challenges assumptions and makes the case that putting land at the heart of the transition is the only way to secure fair and lasting outcomes.
emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 
across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Balancing the Energy Future – National Needs & Regional Realities with Chris O’Keefe

In this thought leaders episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar speaks with Chris O’Keefe, National Spokesperson for the Clean Energy Council. With his broadcaster’s clarity, Chris explores how Australia can meet renewable energy targets while ensuring regional communities hosting projects experience lasting benefits.
From his role at the Clean Energy Council, Chris shares insights on:
Why regional Australia is central to the Clean Energy Councils members 
The current state of the energy transition, especially for communities hosting renewable energy projects
Three key priorities the industry must get right moving forward
What success could look like by 2035 for both consumers and host communities
Whether you work in energy, government, or regional development, this episode provides Industry’s perspectives on balancing national energy needs with local futures  for a successful transition.
emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.
Produced by The Podcast Boss

Regional Voices: Shaping Place-Based Growth in the Energy Shift - Karen Cain

In this episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar sits down with Karen Cain—a Gippsland farmer, former CEO of the Latrobe Valley Authority, and now an international researcher and advisor on the energy transition. Karen’s career has been shaped by her commitment to helping regions navigate big change while building on their strengths.
From her vantage point in Gippsland—an energy-producing powerhouse for more than 130 years—Karen reflects on how this new phase of the region’s story can be an opportunity, not just a challenge. She shares the importance of knitting together lessons learned elsewhere with what’s known locally, and bringing all stakeholders into the conversation so that truly place-based solutions can emerge.
Together, they explore:
The unique strengths regional Australian communities bring in this shift
The three pillars of regional development and why they matter for every community
Why place-based solutions are essential for lasting benefits
How individuals—no matter their role—can contribute to the change
Whether you’re working in policy, leading projects, or navigating big changes in your own town, this conversation offers practical ways to ensure regional voices are at the centre of the energy shift and communities can see, and seize, the opportunity ahead.
emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.
 
Produced by The Podcast Boss