From consultation to collaboration: driving sustainable renewable energy project delivery through strategic community and First Nations engagement

Delivering a major renewable energy project requires bringing together hundreds of moving parts into one cohesive whole. Among those many elements, First Nations engagement - and community engagement more broadly - may appear to be a small piece, yet it carries extraordinary weight. If not approached thoughtfully and early, it can create ripple effects - from project delays and added costs to long-term reputational implications and loss of trust.

Effective engagement goes far beyond meeting legislative requirements. It calls for a genuine understanding of the human and cultural dimensions - the spiritual connection to Country, the right to self-determination, and the principles of free, prior, and informed consent. This is particularly significant given that, under Net Zero Australia’s E+ Scenario, around 43 per cent of all clean energy infrastructure required to reach net zero by 2060 is expected to be located on the Indigenous Estate, highlighting how deeply Australia’s clean energy future is intertwined with First Nations rights, interests and aspirations. 

In Australia, large-scale renewable energy projects are governed by a complex network of legislative and policy frameworks that guide how proponents engage with Traditional Custodians and affected communities. For many developers - particularly international investors and new market entrants - navigating these frameworks can be a significant challenge in itself. However, compliance alone rarely achieves enduring outcomes.

Early community engagement enables access to local insights, identifying environmental and cultural sensitivities, and shaping the project’s direction before key decisions are made. This proactive approach builds transparency and reduces the likelihood of redesigns or disputes later - outcomes that can carry both financial and reputational costs. 

There is a growing recognition that meaningful engagement, when approached with openness and respect, can lead to innovative partnerships - from training and employment pathways to equity participation and benefit-sharing arrangements that allow Traditional Custodian groups to directly share in project value. A message echoed at the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium earlier this year captured this shift perfectly: First Nations people want to be seen as rights holders, not stakeholders.

These models demonstrate that social responsibility and commercial viability can coexist. Projects that integrate engagement early are often delivered more efficiently, with fewer obstacles and greater local support. This way, engagement becomes a catalyst for stronger, more resilient developments - built on mutual trust and shared benefit.

Community and First Nations engagement cannot be separated from the broader project journey. It intersects with environmental approvals, land access, workforce participation, and long-term operational planning. Adopting a holistic view means recognising these interconnections and embedding engagement into every stage of delivery.

This approach ensures that renewable energy growth not only contributes to Australia’s decarbonisation goals but also delivers enduring social and economic value for local communities. It also enhances certainty for investors and developers, helping shape a more inclusive and sustainable energy future for the country.

Early engagement, in particular, can bring tangible benefits, including:

• Respectful collaboration on land and approvals by engaging with Traditional Custodians early to understand their priorities, values, and rights.
• Stronger workforce participation and training opportunities for local communities.
• Reduced delays and cost overruns by identifying potential social or cultural risks early.
• Enhanced long-term project resilience through partnerships that embed shared values and community priorities.