As renewable energy projects continue to roll out across regional Australia, a new guide released today urges regional community groups, councils and industry to think bigger to maximise the benefits from the renewables boom.
"We only need to paint the town hall so many times," said Kim Mallee, Director of Community Power Agency.
"Energy projects bring real investment into regional areas, but without coordination, we risk wasting the opportunity."
The Guide to Regional Benefit Sharing, developed by Community Power Agency, provides a practical blueprint for coordinating how community benefit sharing programs from renewable energy developments - funding and grants - are delivered to the host communities. It responds to the growing reality that multiple projects are landing in the same places, often overwhelming communities with scattered, piecemeal grant programs.
"This guide is about a process for communities to lead, which can direct funds to tackle long-term challenges and create something lasting for generations to come, such as social services or community housing."
Community benefit sharing programs are a strategy to ensure renewable energy projects contribute to the wellbeing and future of the regions that host them. The Clean Energy Council estimates these benefit sharing contributions will be worth
$213 million by 2030, growing to $1.9 billion by 2050.
Traditionally, community benefit sharing programs have been run on a project-by-project basis, offering small grants, scholarships or local partnerships. But with multiple developments now concentrated in designated areas known as Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), Community Power Agency says the time has come to shift from isolated programs to also include region-wide coordination, an approach they call regional benefit sharing.
"We've seen communities run out of local small grant ideas while facing big-picture challenges in health, housing or infrastructure," said Claudia Hodge, Project Manager – Community Development, Community Power Agency.
"This guide shows how pooling resources across projects, and empowering communities to manage those resources, can open up new possibilities for greater, longer-lasting outcomes."
Community Power Agency has worked closely with REZ communities across Gippsland, Northern Tasmania, New England and Western Downs, and draws inspiration from international best practice, including models in Scotland that offer tiered benefit funds for small, medium and large, 'legacy-scale' initiatives.
The guide also addresses the issue of growing engagement fatigue in some regions.
"Communities are being asked to consult again and again on one project after another, and their individual benefit sharing initiatives," said Ms Mallee.
"Strategic coordination helps reduce that burden, and gives people a stronger voice, whilst minimising engagement fatigue."
To dive deeper into the guide and hear from others working in this space, join the public webinar on Tuesday, 22 July, from 1:00 to 2:15pm (AEST) - register here.
"We always hear that renewables will bring regional renewal, but that's only true if we're intentional about how we invest in these communities," Ms Mallee said.
"This is our chance to get it right with regional communities leading the way."
