The biggest clean energy budget in Australia’s history is here. 🌱✨ Best of all? Hearing firsthand how the PM is progressing on two of the most important enablers of the transition:

- 🏘️ Community and landholder engagement as new renewables, storage, and transmission are installed across the country – over $20 million. 💰

-🌞🔋 Consumer energy resources like rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles. 🚗⚡

The energy transition is far more than just physical infrastructure - it's a paradigm shift in how we think about and consume energy. 🌍💡

More choice means customers can vote with their feet by walking down the road and doing business with your competitor. This makes social license more important than ever. 👣

Today’s Financial Review article, "Why Supermarkets ‘Fell Off Their Pedestal’," illustrates that a community investment fund or looking good ahead of reporting season isn't enough. Building trust is about doing what you promise—consistently and treating your customers, employees, suppliers, and investors fairly. It's about making it part of your practices each day, every day. 🤝

A staggering 67% of shoppers consider a company's social license important in determining where they shop, and 48% would switch from brands that didn’t meet expectations on being socially responsible, according to investment bank Jarden. 🔄

Business might be changing, but one thing stays the same—actions always speak louder than words. 📢

#Leadership #BusinessEthics #SocialLicense #CustomerEngagement #SustainableBusiness

🔗 Read More

It's too easy to focus on weaknesses and what's lacking - in ourselves and the projects we care about😞. But what if we paid equal attention to our strengths and what's working well? Awkward? Keep reading 😊.

We always have inherently good elements to draw on in any circumstance. In ourselves, it is when we feel "all lit up" that we are most likely playing to our strengths 💪 🌟.

Tapping into the strong foundations in every community is make or break in the energy transition. Without this local knowledge, there's no way we can "learn our way to the right solutions".

Focussing on our resources, as individuals and collectively, can help us tackle tricky things with more optimism💡. Skills like tenacity or a strong network count for a lot.

More broadly on energy, pooling our ideas on what's working, or appreciative inquiry, will help us build on what's already strong in communities. 🌍🤝

Could finding a place for that knowledge be the most central part of the energy transition? 🏭🔍

The NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is set to shift the state's energy landscape dramatically. And rural communities are eager to be part of the journey - if their voices are heard.

Two pieces of hardly-publicised work bring some great thinking to the discussions.

🌟 The NSW Agriculture Commissioner's Report on Land Use🌟

This report, released in November 2022, addresses land use conflicts between agriculture and renewable energy. This report outlined critical improvements needed to encourage coexistence between the sectors. There’s a lot to like in the recommendations.

One standout is involving local councils and regional organisations in decision-making - giving rural communities a stronger voice in shaping their energy future. The NSW Government has responded positively, and you can read their response here.

🌞 Community Voices: Central West Orana REZ 🌞

Energy Co conducted a comprehensive analysis of community attitudes within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone and released its findings mid-2023. One interesting result is that many agree affordable renewable energy is important for communities hosting the infra in their backyard. More than half viewed community energy projects as very important in addition to solar, batteries, and energy efficiency schemes.

This highlights the importance of integrating community renewable energy initiatives into the overall benefits package for these regions.

🌎 A Collective Effort for a Brighter Future 🌎

To successfully navigate this transition, we need to use these insights to make it much more of a collective effort. Involving local communities in decision-making is pivotal to ensuring that the benefits align with their aspirations for their neighbourhoods.

In the Central West, at least, the community is prepared and eager to lead the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. It's our collective responsibility to help make this happen. 💪🔌🌟

Back when my kids were younger, and I was juggling parenthood with a demanding job, I used to wonder what it would take to win me over if someone proposed building a high-rise apartment complex or a bus depot right next door. 🤔

One thing would have gotten me over the line - convenient and affordable childcare nearby. 😄👶🏡

This has stuck with me, reminding me that every community treasures something unique. It's not a one-size-fits-all, and it's different for every community.

Understanding what is valued most should be a key driver for any project in the energy transition.

🤔 Why Does It Matter?

No matter how environmentally friendly a project may be, it often faces resistance, scepticism, or indifference.

How can we ensure that our energy transition efforts are embraced by the communities hosting the infrastructure in the first place?

The answer lies in acknowledging that every community has distinctive aspirations. Some may be eager to embrace solar energy and share it with neighbours through community batteries, while others may crave skills education to attract new industries and create job opportunities.

💪🗣️The Power of Asking

So, how do we uncover what a community values most? By asking. Our starting point must be that we do not know what is best, and we must seek input from the very people whose lives will be affected.

📢📋 Share Your Examples

Projects rooted in community aspirations not only cater to specific community needs but also foster a sense of ownership and commitment.

Have you seen this done effectively? How did the projects succeed, and what lessons can we learn? Share your thoughts and stories 💬🌟👇

I'm delving into the subject of change as I work on finishing up post-grad studies.

🧐 This struck a chord:

"If we evaluate behaviour purely in terms of its net benefit for those affected by it, we are not considering how these benefits are distributed." 🤔💭

💡🌍 Meanwhile, also today, Federal Energy Minister, Chris Bowen shared similar thoughts on energy projects in rural areas.

Speaking on Radio National this morning, he emphasised the importance of focusing on what's good for the nation AND ensuring that local communities receive their fair share of the benefits of the transition. 🏡💚

It's a powerful reminder that change needs to be mindful of its impact on everyone involved. Let's keep this conversation going and work towards a future where progress is equitable and people affected by the change share in its benefits. 🌏✨

So, how can landowners and people who live near the assets that need to be built best benefit from the energy transition? Where have you seen this done well? Hit me with your thoughts! 🗣️💬 



#Change #EnergyTransition #CommunityBenefits

Governments and entire industries depend on trust and cooperation from stakeholders and communities to pave the way for the energy transition. It is no easy task.

Here's our mission:

🤝 Bridging the Gap

Clear Cut Communications connects policymakers and project teams with communities, ensuring the transition to a more sustainable future becomes a collective effort. Involving local communities in decision-making is crucial for defining the benefits they want to see in their neighbourhoods.

💡 Energy Transition Made Possible

The energy transition is a crucial and necessary step towards a greener tomorrow. But it can't be achieved without local community support. Clear Cut Communications facilitates open and transparent communication between projects and communities, ensuring everyone's voices are heard.

🏡 Community-Centered Focus

Our goal is to empower communities and enable them to actively participate in shaping their future. We work closely with stakeholders to create meaningful dialogues, identify community needs, and develop strategies that address their concerns.

🔗 Join Us on Our Journey

I am excited to embark on this mission! Join Clear Cut Communications as we strive to build stronger connections between projects and communities, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive transition that delivers benefits people value most.

Stay tuned for updates, exciting projects, and engaging community initiatives that will drive positive change!

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#ClearCutCommunications #CommunityEngagement #SustainableFuture #EnergyTransition