VIDEO: October Forum — Engaging in and benefitting from the transition to renewable energy

The transition to renewable energy is proceeding more and more quickly, and New England has been declared a ‘renewable energy zone’ by the NSW Government. But what does this mean and how can it benefit our community?

These questions and others will be answered by Dr Jarra Hicks in this month’s Sustainable Living Armidale forum entitled ‘Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing in Renewable Energy Development’. It will be held this Thursday, 21 October at 7.30pm.

Dr Hicks is founding director of the Community Power Agency, a not-for-profit organisation with expertise that enables and advocates for community energy, supporting communities across Australia to engage in and benefit from the transition to renewable energy.

She will discuss the Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and what they mean, as well as what is driving the REZ approach to renewable energy transition. She will be considering what are the opportunities the community should be asking for or expecting, and sharing examples of good practice in community engagement and benefit sharing, as well as local procurement and job opportunities.

She will also discuss how commercial companies can relate well to communities that are hosting renewable energy developments, and how the communities can negotiate to secure lasting benefits. It is hoped Daniel Boyce, Chief Officer Sustainable Development at Armidale Regional Council, may also join the session to speak briefly about Council’s approach.

A former student of the Armidale Waldorf School, Dr Hicks now has 10 years’ experience in community energy in both Australia and overseas, and her expertise spans community engagement, business models, facilitation, policy development and partnership building. She has worked as a project manager on the ground, as well as with governments, peak bodies, NGOs and the corporate sector. She completed her PhD in Law/ Built Environment at the University of New South Wales.

Join us for this discussion and an opportunity to learn more about the opportunities and challenges presented by the renewable energy zone.

• Who: Dr Jarra Hicks, founding Director of the Community Power Agency
• When: Thursday 21 October 2021 at 7.30pm
• Where: Via this ZOOM link

The Community Power Agency is a not-for-profit organisation with expertise that enables and advocates for community energy, supporting communities across Australia to engage in and benefit from the transition to renewable energy.