emPOWER: Voices of the Regional Energy Shift

Across regional Australia, communities are increasingly asking a simple question: how do we know which energy developers we can trust?

As renewable energy and transmission projects accelerate, trust between industry and regional communities has become one of the defining issues of the energy transition.

One of the most significant responses to that challenge is the Developer Rating Scheme (DRS) — a new initiative designed to lift standards, improve transparency, and help communities understand how developers are performing.

In this episode of emPOWER, host Wendy Agar speaks with three people closely involved in shaping the scheme:

Together they unpack the purpose, opportunities and real-world challenges of the Developer Rating Scheme, including:

At its heart, this conversation comes back to three things: trust, transparency and accountability.

It also raises an important idea — that communities themselves may play a powerful role in demanding and driving the success of the Developer Rating Scheme.

This episode of emPOWER is supported by The Energy Charter, a national collaboration working with communities, industry and government to deliver better outcomes through the energy transition.

If you work in renewables, transmission, land access, stakeholder engagement or regional development, this conversation will help you understand one of the most important new initiatives shaping how energy projects are developed in regional Australia.

Because the success of the energy transition won’t just depend on infrastructure.

It will depend on trust.

Produced by The Podcast Boss

In this thought-leaders episode of emPOWER, host Wendy Agar speaks with one of Australia’s most experienced energy leaders — Paul Binsted, Chair of Energy Corporation of NSW and former Chair of Stanwell Corporation in Queensland.

With deep experience across corporate finance, infrastructure, generation, and transmission,Paul brings unmatched insight into the reality of Australia’s energy transition. In this conversation, he breaks down a complex system with clarity, exploring what it really takes to deliver abundant, affordable, and reliable energy while ensuring regional communities share in the benefits of a fair transition.

Together, Wendy and Paul unpack big questions shaping Australia’s energy future, including:

This episode is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, partnering with communities to deliver the Regional Energy Accord — bringing people, industry, and government together to guide the transition and create real local outcomes.

Settle in for a thoughtful, clear, and timely discussion with Paul Binsted — and discover what a fair and prosperous energy future could look like for regional Australia.

Produced by The Podcast Boss

In this thought-leaders episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar speaks with David Shankey, CEO of the Net Zero Economy Authority, the national body helping Australia’s regions and communities navigate the shift to a net zero emissions economy.

Before leading the Authority, David was Deputy Director-General at Queensland’s Department of Energy and Public Works, where he built a reputation for his deep expertise in energy and climate policy—and his commitment to ensuring regional communities share in the benefits of change.

Together, Wendy and David explore a big question: How can we meet Australia’s national energy needs while ensuring host communities share in the benefits of a fair transition?

Drawing on his experience, David unpacks:

emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 

across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.

Produced By The Podcast Boss

In this thought-leaders episode of emPOWER, host Wendy Agar speaks with two passionate regional advocates — Mayor Andrew Smith from Western Downs Regional Council in Queensland and Tracy Lefroy, former Shire President of Moora in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt — about what it takes to lead communities through change in Australia’s energy transition.

While their regions are at different stages of renewable energy development, both Councils are navigating the same challenge — guiding their communities through rapid change while keeping politics out of it. They talk candidly about the bravery and leadership required to bring people along, the importance of communication, transparency, and collaboration, and why communities need to be partners, not passengers, in shaping their energy future.

Together, they unpack:

Join Wendy, Andrew, and Tracy as they explore how Australia can meet its national energy needs while ensuring regional communities share in the benefits — and the future — of a fair transition.

emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 

across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.

Produced by The Podcast Boss

In this episode, Wendy Agar speaks with Andy Bray, CEO of RE-Alliance, about a critical question for Australia’s energy transition: how can we meet national energy needs while ensuring regional communities genuinely benefit?

Andy highlights that while the silent majority support renewable energy, this support is conditional—people want to understand what the transition means for their region.

Drawing on RE-Alliance’s work, he explores the importance of:

Whether you work in energy, government, or regional development, this episode makes the case for collaboration, fairness, and community-led planning as the foundation for a sustainable energy transition.

emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 

across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.

Produced By The Podcast Boss

In this thought leaders episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar speaks with Michael Katz, CEO of RELA, about one of the biggest questions in Australia’s energy transition: how do we meet national energy needs without sidelining the farmers and communities who host the projects?

Michael doesn’t mince words. His vision is clear: landholders must be partners, not bystanders. As he puts it, “everyone benefits or loses together”—and the only way forward is genuine collaboration that values all perspectives and negotiates from there.

From his work with RELA, Michael unpacks:

Whether you’re in energy, government, or regional development, this episode challenges assumptions and makes the case that putting land at the heart of the transition is the only way to secure fair and lasting outcomes.

emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 

across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.

Produced by The Podcast Boss

In this thought leaders episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar speaks with Chris O’Keefe, National Spokesperson for the Clean Energy Council. With his broadcaster’s clarity, Chris explores how Australia can meet renewable energy targets while ensuring regional communities hosting projects experience lasting benefits.

From his role at the Clean Energy Council, Chris shares insights on:

Whether you work in energy, government, or regional development, this episode provides Industry’s perspectives on balancing national energy needs with local futures  for a successful transition.

emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.

Produced by The Podcast Boss

In this episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar sits down with Karen Cain—a Gippsland farmer, former CEO of the Latrobe Valley Authority, and now an international researcher and advisor on the energy transition. Karen’s career has been shaped by her commitment to helping regions navigate big change while building on their strengths.

From her vantage point in Gippsland—an energy-producing powerhouse for more than 130 years—Karen reflects on how this new phase of the region’s story can be an opportunity, not just a challenge. She shares the importance of knitting together lessons learned elsewhere with what’s known locally, and bringing all stakeholders into the conversation so that truly place-based solutions can emerge.

Together, they explore:

Whether you’re working in policy, leading projects, or navigating big changes in your own town, this conversation offers practical ways to ensure regional voices are at the centre of the energy shift and communities can see, and seize, the opportunity ahead.

emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.

Produced by The Podcast Boss

In this episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar sits down with Matt Charles-Jones (MCJ) and Matt Grogan from Yackandandah, Victoria, to explore how a small regional town has taken charge of its energy future. Both deeply involved in the Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) movement, they share practical lessons on how communities can embrace renewable energy, drive local action, and create meaningful change.

Reflecting on Cathy McGowan’s words—“If not now, when? If not you, who?”—this conversation highlights the power of community-led energy transitions and the opportunities for regional Australians to shape a fair, coordinated, and locally-driven energy future.

Together, they explore:

Whether you’re working in renewable energy, regional development, community engagement, or are a community leader, this episode offers inspiring, actionable ideas for putting regional voices at the centre of the energy transition.

emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration across the national energy sector committed to delivering better outcomes for communities and customers during the energy transition.