In the heart of rural Australia, where the land stretches as far as the eye can see, a quiet revolution is taking place. The focus is on renewable energy, but it's not just about wind turbines and solar panels. It's about transforming the relationship between energy developers and the communities they operate in, and it's about 'growing the agricultural pie'.
Chris Sounness, CEO of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Development, is at the forefront of this movement. He believes that renewable energy developers need to stop viewing farmers as 'landholders' and instead treat them as businesses. This shift in perspective is crucial, as it opens up a world of opportunities for both parties.
Sounness lives in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, a place of flat horizons and fertile fields. This is also the heartland of the Western renewable energy zone and the country's second-largest approved wind project, the Warracknabeal energy park. With 24 wind, solar, and battery projects already operating and another 44 in the pipeline, the region is buzzing with activity.
However, this rapid development has not been without its challenges. Communities in western Victoria have had to cope with the shift from wool-based agriculture to cropping, which has led to shrinking towns and fewer children in schools. The arrival of renewable energy developers has further exacerbated these issues, as communities struggle to understand and engage with the changes.
Sounness argues that the key to addressing these challenges is collaboration. By working together, communities and developers can create 'cumulative opportunities' that benefit everyone. This means involving communities in the decision-making process, designing construction workforce needs that suit multiple projects, and building understanding and trust.
One example of this collaboration is the Regional Energy Collaboration, which brings together renewable developers and transmission companies to 'grow the agricultural pie'. This initiative aims to ensure that the development of renewable energy projects supports and enhances the agricultural industry, rather than causing disruption or harm.
However, Sounness also acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead. He notes that councils in other energy zones are taking proactive steps to manage the impact of renewables, such as setting rules of engagement and producing roadmaps for the future. In western Victoria, nine councils are working together to produce a report outlining their expectations from renewable energy, transmission, and mining.
The report covers a range of issues, from creating permanent future housing to fixing roads and managing competing needs for resources such as water. It also emphasizes the importance of new industries understanding, avoiding, and mitigating consequences for farming. Sounness believes that this requires developers and their contractors to recognize that farming is a big business that operates in a global market.
In conclusion, the transformation of the relationship between energy developers and rural communities is a complex and challenging process. However, by embracing collaboration and understanding, it is possible to create a future where renewable energy and agriculture can coexist and thrive together. As Sounness says, 'it's about growing the agricultural pie', and this requires a shared commitment to building understanding and trust between all parties involved.
