Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has called on regional leaders and governments to take action to ensure regional Australia benefits from the renewable energy transition for decades to come.

In a keynote speech, Dr Haines said the theme of the Regions Rising Summit – ‘A New Frontier’ – reflected the key moment regional Australia is currently facing in seizing the opportunity presented by the shift to renewable energy.

“A New Frontier to achieve a thriving regional Australia. That’s what we all want,” Dr Haines said to the 400 regional leaders from across Australia who attended the summit dinner.

“Not a regional Australia that only aspires to “get by” or a regional Australia that just wants to keep up with the major cities, that’s not for us – but regions that aspire to thrive in our own right, as a powerhouse of people, production, possibility and sustainability.”

Likening the energy transition to the opportunity and challenge presented by the Snowy Hydro scheme, Dr Haines said the opportunity and vision, as well as challenge was significant for the regions.

“Right now in Australia, we don’t feel like we are being set up to benefit or thrive at all.

“I hear and share the legitimate concerns of regional communities – including in my electorate of Indi – about how renewable energy will impact them.”

It is essential for these concerns to be addressed and for communities to be included from the very start for such projects to be accepted, Dr Haines said.

Dr Haines pointed to regional projects that she said present ‘models of leadership, innovation and vision’, including the Hay Shire Council as demonstrating how communities can be on the front foot of renewable energy.

“They held community meetings… produced a set of principles to guide negotiations with renewable companies, and a ten-year strategy for the region. It included a strong ask for cheaper power, and proposed generational change projects in education, health and aged care.

“When Hay Council invited developers to back the strategy, they agreed. A whole renewable energy park – with solar and wind – has just been approved without one objection.”

Dr Haines said reversing the standard practice of developers approaching landholders and engaging with the community mid-way through a planning process was pivotal to helping communities be on the front foot.

“[When communities] are on the front foot of renewable energy development, they have some autonomy and control over what they want to see and how they want to benefit. They know their community and understand what the legacy project should be.”

“I want this to be the standard for renewable energy development, not the exception.

“To achieve that, it’s time for governments – both federal and state – to come to the table and support regional communities, to support community energy groups, farmers, local councils and all the other key regional stakeholders and leaders.

“The government have a choice – to back in these vital players or keep pushing them to the sideline.”

Dr Haines said she had big asks of government to support regional communities and encouraged other political leaders to stop turning away from the difficult questions, but to take part in difficult but respectful conversations.

“I want future generations to be able to point to safe roads, available healthcare and housing, affordable childcare, a skilled workforce and say we achieved this, in large part, because of the way we shaped the renewable energy transition in our patch.”

“I am in there batting for us, I want governments to realise this vision – to create a system where community benefit is at the start, middle and end of every conversation about the renewable energy transition.”

“In regional Australia, the challenge is ours but the rewards are ours too. Let’s write our own ticket.”

Dr Haines’ full speech can be accessed here.

ENDS