Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana, Media Release, 28 August 2025

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana together with The Energy Charter are proud to announce the launch of the innovative Regional Energy Collaboration Framework – a pioneering initiative designed to transform the way energy organisations and regional communities collaborate during Australia’s clean energy transition.

The Framework, co-developed through extensive collaboration with community representatives and energy businesses, offers a structured pathway for energy organisations to work together with regional leaders to deliver meaningful, long-term benefits for communities impacted by renewable energy developments.

As an official supporter, RDA Orana is committed to assisting in the Framework’s implementation in regional Australia, ensuring that local voices are heard and that the energy transition brings equitable and tangible benefits to communities.

RDA Orana CEO Justine Campbell said this isn’t just another guideline or consultation process, but an opportunity for businesses and communities to work together to deliver more effective, long-term benefits through the pathway of the energy transition. 

“RDA Orana is thrilled to partner with The Energy Charter in launching the Regional Energy Collaboration Framework. This initiative is a game-changer for regional Australia, providing a clear pathway for energy organisations and communities to work together to achieve shared goals. By fostering collaboration and transparency, we can ensure the clean energy transition delivers lasting benefits for our region,” said Ms Campbell.

Key features of the Framework:

• Community-centric collaboration: The Framework places regional communities at the heart of energy planning, ensuring their priorities and concerns are addressed through co-designed agreements.
• Collective action: Energy organisations will work together to deliver shared benefits, such as local workforce development, infrastructure investment and environmental outcomes.
• Transparency and accountability: The Framework includes measurable commitments and transparent tracking to build trust between energy organisations and communities.
• Support for regional leadership: RDA Orana will play a key role in facilitating collaboration, connecting energy organisations with local leaders and ensuring the Framework aligns with community goals.

“With not just the Orana region, but the entire country embarking on an unprecedented scale of renewable energy projects, regional communities are experiencing significant impacts,” added Ms Campbell.  

“The Framework addresses consultation fatigue and fragmented engagement by creating a unified process that fosters trust, reduces risks and delivers better outcomes for all stakeholders.”

CEO of The Energy Charter Sabiene Heindl added the Framework aims to transform regional Australia’s working approach to the energy transition.

“Regional Australia is asking for a different way of working—one built on trust, co-design and delivery you can see. The Regional Energy Collaboration Framework turns that intent into practice: measurable commitments, transparent tracking and real partnerships led by local voices. With RDA Orana, we’re focused on ensuring communities hosting the transition are tangibly better off—through local jobs, liveability and lasting regional benefits.” said Ms Heindl.

As a trusted regional development organisation, RDA Orana will work closely with The Energy Charter, community leaders and energy collaborators to implement the Framework in the Orana region.

The role will include facilitating workshops to co-design agreements tailored to local needs, supporting community leadership and ensuring First Nations voices are represented and advocating for initiatives that deliver real, measurable benefits to communities.

To further support this collaboration, RDA Orana will also host The Energy Charter’s National Landholder + Community Engagement Training at The Exchange Orana in October 2025.

The three-day immersive training will showcase collaboration in action, to ensure landholders, communities and the renewables industry unlock the full potential and understand the impacts of the energy transition.

Participants will hear from landholders, community engagement experts and community organisations about how to build trust during energy project development.

More information on The Energy Charter, Regional Energy Collaboration Framework and the National Landholder + Community Engagement Training can be found at theenergycharter.com.au.