April 20, 2026
A report by Regional Development Australia Wide Bay Burnett (RDAWBB) into the clean energy transition has found that community trust in government and industry is “fragile”.
RDAWBB chair Bill Trevor OAM said many industry stakeholders were eager to adopt new energy solutions however concerns remained over the economic impact and the need for clearer policy direction.
The report was prepared after consultations in Kingaroy, Murgon, Gayndah, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Gympie in April last year.
There were in-person workshops and forums, virtual sessions, interviews with business owners and an online survey open to the public.
“This report captures the perspectives of industry leaders and stakeholders across Wide Bay Burnett, offering valuable insights into the evolving energy landscape and recommendations for pathways forward,” Mr Trevor said.
A key finding of the report was that trust and social license needed rebuilding: “Community trust in government and industry remains fragile. Stakeholders consistently called for more transparent, inclusive and consistent engagement to ensure communities feel genuinely heard and have ownership of transition pathways.
“Stakeholders acknowledge the transition is inevitable and already under way. However, many communities feel unprepared for its pace and scale, with concerns around being left behind.”
The report noted there was uncertainty and disengagement and “a sense that local voices are not meaningfully included in key decisions”.
“Businesses are motivated to adopt new technologies but face major hurdles, including high upfront costs, unclear policy settings, limited technical support and lack of access to finance or grants.”
- External link: Download the Clean Energy Engagement Report (7.5Mb)
- Related article: Businesses Invited To Comment
