General News
8 October, 2026
Summit highlights opportunity to shape our region’s future
No two towns will experience renewable energy development the same way. Jess Whitworth argues against a one-size-fits-all approach to regional communities.
I was recently among the youngest delegates at the RE-Alliance Regional Leaders Summit in Toowoomba.
This event brought rural and regional Australian leaders together with one driving force - a passion for their communities.
Councils, community organisations, not-for-profits and other local leaders discussed, workshopped and learnt about many aspects of the renewable energy transition.
We also explored its impacts and what can be done in our own communities to ensure this transition happens with us and not to us.
As someone who grew up in this region and who’s likely to live here for decades to come, these were all important issues to me.
Standout ideas, challenges or happenings included:
- The ‘one size fits all’ approach is incompatible and naïve;
- Community engagement, benefits and project development is experienced differently in every single LGA or town- not differing between regions or states but every single town (yes, even in the same shire)- will experience and interpret things differently
- The overwhelming feeling from regional and rural communities that developments are being done to, rather than with, communities; and
- The narrative of this transition has not been told in an appropriate or accessible way: people are still confused as to what’s going on and why
There are obviously many challenges and issues but there was also one positive lesson highlighted and reiterated across the event - having a seat at the table provides a chance to shape your own community’s destiny and story.
And this was an event with many stories - from leaders, councillors, community groups and other key stakeholders.
People shared their personal experience of what is possible through working together to drive and shape community-driven outcomes.
We heard many tales of the clear tangible, lasting impacts that can result from good collaboration.
I was particularly inspired by firsthand accounts of how communities, much smaller than ours, have experienced significant development and emerged better for it.
While these communities might not have always got everything they’ve asked for, their voices were heard, ideas shared and changes were suddenly possible.
These discussions and learnings gave me hope for the future of our region.
Nothing about major development is easy, or straightforward.
We are asked to answer hard questions and to make difficult decisions (about benefits, impact, land use etc.), which is exactly why we need to be involved in these conversations from the beginning.
Many hands make light work, and if the people of the Wimmera Southern Mallee can come together and have a seat at the table, these proposed projects provide an opportunity that we cannot take for granted.
Positive outcomes for our region will not happen automatically, we must start shaping what comes next.