emPOWER: supporting Regional Engagement during the Energy Transition

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

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