emPOWER: supporting Regional Engagement during the Energy Transition

What does it take to get the right energy projects done right—especially in regional Australia? In this episode, Wendy Agar sits down for a candid fireside chat with Sabiene Heindl, CEO of The Energy Charter (TEC), and Tom Everitt from TDC Services in Victoria. Together, they unpack what social license really means—and how to earn it one conversation, one person, and one community at a time.

Drawing on real-world experience, they e...

Lighthouse series

What does it take for communities to lead the renewable energy transition—not just be consulted? In this episode, Wendy Agar talks with Dr Amanda Cahill and Dr Gareth Edwards about empowering local leadership, supporting self-determination, and making engagement meaningful.

 They share real-world stories and insights from regional Australia and around the world, based on their book Regional Energy Transitions in A...

The energy transition is reshaping regional Australia—but how do we ensure that agriculture and community are at the table, and truly benefiting from it? In this episode Wendy Agar sits down with Jo Sheppard, CEO of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), to tackle the big questions at the intersection of agriculture, energy, engagement, and regional leadership.

Young people aren’t just the future—they’re a vital part of the now. So how do we ensure their voices are truly heard in the renewable energy transition?

In this episode, Wendy Agar chats with Stephanie Sabrinskas—a passionate organiser, impact producer, and the creative mind behind Power Pops, a virtual reality youth engagement program with the Gippsland Climate Change Netw...

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 enab...

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 ...

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 tu...

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 ...

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 s...

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. Toge...

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 ...

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 in...

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...

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’...

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...

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 thos...

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 discus...

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 ...