As regional communities again find themselves at the centre of debates over Australia’s net-zero future, a new handbook launched that will help them play a more active role in shaping how renewable energy projects are developed in their region.
The handbook includes case studies and tools that build on best practices from other communities undergoing energy transformations – so others don’t have to start from scratch, but can learn from what’s already working across the country.
“As renewable energy projects roll out, many regional communities are experiencing significant change,” said Marie Lakey, co-author and Project Manager at Community Power Agency.
“Big changes require big support – but there’s been a lack of resources written for communities themselves. This handbook aims to change that.”
Across the country, there’s growing attention on how renewable energy developers engage with communities. But genuine collaboration is a two-way process, and communities also have a vital role to play.
Heidi McElnea, co-author of the Handbook and Guyra local, says it is essential that proponents engage with communities.
“But engagement is most effective when communities are also active participants. When we’re involved and working together, we can shape renewable energy development in ways that deliver real, lasting benefits for our region,” she said
“This is not a time to stand on the sidelines,” she said. “We hope the Handbook will help give communities the confidence they need to negotiate genuine outcomes.”
Drawing on years of on-the-ground work with regional communities, including those in Renewable Energy Zones, the Handbook provides a clear approach for communities to collaborate and take action on local priorities such as housing, biodiversity, skills and jobs.
One example from New England shows how collaboration can work in practice. In 2024, GLENRAC and Southern New England Landcare hosted the Better Biodiversity on Solar Farms workshops, bringing together environmental experts, farmers, First Nations land managers, and local community groups. The workshops explored how energy, agriculture, caring for Country and conservation can co-exist.
Since then, a coalition of local and national researchers and organisations has continued working together, developing a bid for government funding to establish a 10-year Agrisolar Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
“Bringing together First Nations people, farmers, scientists, energy experts is essential when balancing biodiversity and energy needs,” said Dr Eric Nordberg, Senior Lecturer at the University of New England. “The collaboration here in New England has already led to great outcomes, and if successful, the Agrisolar CRC bid will create even more opportunities for our region to lead in best-practice shared land use.”
The proposed CRC will develop integrated solar and farming systems through research and demonstration projects. This will help farmers adapt to climate change, protect biodiversity, secure food production, and support regional communities.
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