Why does this matter?

Regional Australia is carrying the nation’s energy transition, hosting transmission and renewables infrastructure, navigating impacts and doing the groundwork for the nation’s energy transition. This work has the potential to unlock opportunities: to strengthen local economies, create new industries and build community resilience. Unfortunately, some projects happen to local communities, not with them.

We hope the Accord changes that. It starts with listening, not answers and it’s about putting local people at the centre of shaping how change happens.

Together, we hope to build thriving, resilient regional communities through Australia’s renewable energy transition. With an estimated $1.9 billion in benefits by 2050 (Billions in the Bush Report), the Accord can offer a clear pathway to foster partnership, prosperity, innovation and pride in regional Australia through collaborative discussions and commitments. 

What makes it different?

The Regional Energy Accord is not likely to be business as usual and not just focused on the immediate here and now. It’s a new way of working, shaped by and for regional Australia.

• It starts local, led by trusted regional voices and builds on what’s already happening, not duplicating or overriding it. 
• It recognises the diversity of communities, rejecting one-size-fits-all approaches in favour of locally grounded solutions. 
• It asks everyone involved to respond to what is happening locally, but to take a bigger systems view of the future.
• It is about shared vision and shared responsibility. 
• It is a real opportunity to align, act and build trust, together, with outcomes that can guide the energy transition nationally, from the ground up.

How are we supporting it?

To guide the Regional Energy Accord at a national level, we have established a number of key governance mechanisms: 

• Community Outcomes Group includes trusted national, regional and local leaders who stay involved beyond roundtables to turn words into action.

• Industry Impact Group brings energy sector leaders to the table to align strategy, investment and delivery with what communities say matters.

• CEO Council ensures the energy sector’s top decision-makers listen to regional voices and lead internal change.

All of this is backed by independent facilitation, ensuring the process builds trust and genuine collaboration.

Want to get involved?