First Nations Clean Energy Network

Want to understand more about First Nations cultural heritage and the intersection with clean energy development? Look no further!

It's well-known that First Nations businesses are more likely to train and employ Indigenous staff and channel profits back into their communities. That’s Yuin woman Melanie Harris talking, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) Commissioner, as reported in National Indigenous Times. Melanie's conclusion is picked up in our recent report, 'Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy’, where we found First Nations businesses employ higher numbers of First Nations workers with higher retention rates -- generally delivering better results. Therefore, mechanisms for increasing capacity and participation of First Nations businesses in the clean energy sector are an important pathway for increasing employment outcomes. This is not a new insight. The Productivity Commission back in 2020 identified key strategies for improving First Nations employment rates, including encouraging the growth of First Nations owned businesses and service providers. Our Jobs report notes one of the more effective policy levers already in place has been the use of procurement requirements for engaging First Nations businesses. Measures that increase demand and job commitments are important as a catalyst for change, by providing more opportunities for First Nations to participate in the economy - and with what we know, delivering more First Nations employment and training outcomes. Win-win! Access our Jobs Report here (https://lnkd.in/gvwdarSw), authored by Chris Briggs, Rusty Langdon, Sarah Niklas (UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney), Michelle Tjondro, Jeremy Gill, Mary Ellen Trimble, Ed Wensing PhD (SGS Economics and Planning), Michael Frangos (Indigenous Energy Australia), and Ruby Heard (Alinga Energy Consulting), and overseen by a fabulous steering group including Peter Cowling (Mint Renewables), Chris Croker (First Nations Clean Energy Network), Trevor Gauld (Electrical Trades Union of Australia), Jo Haslam and Adam West (TAFE NSW), Anthea Middleton (Powering Skills Organisation), and Justin Coburn (Beon Energy Solutions).

Community participation in decision-making leads to better maintenance and a sense of ownership. That’s Warumungu man Jimmy Frank Jupurrurla talking. A great article by Otis Filley in The Guardian which looks at the intersection between housing, energy efficiency and health. Access it in the comments. Photo by Andrew Quilty.

Darumbal looks forward to this development with Central Queensland Power and have journeyed over a couple of years to get to this agreed point. This agreement is an example for other developments to follow on Darumbal country of how to do business with Traditional Owners. That’s Malcolm Mann talking, from Darumbal People Aboriginal Corporation. Malcolm is talking about two agreements his Corporation recently signed with Central Queensland Power (CQP) for the proposed Moah Creek Wind Farm in Queensland, to be developed with CleanCo Queensland, as reported by Sarah MacNamara from Energy Magazine. CQP's Steve Oswald says “Our discussions with the Darumbal People have built a shared vision for the project and mutual respect between the parties involved. “This emphasis on understanding the cultural values of the Darumbal People is crucial for ensuring that the benefits provided align with their long-term goals and aspirations which has been demonstrated with the range of benefits provided under the agreement." CQP's Rosie King says it was important to partner with the Darumbal from the early stages of the project that will be built on their Country.  “The transition to renewable energy that is underway in Queensland must occur fairly for First Nations people and their communities. “The agreements provide a pathway for the wind farm to deliver enduring economic and social benefits to the Darumbal, as well as recognition and preservation of their cultural heritage and values.” And CleanCo's Julie Whitcombe says they're company is committed to collaborating with First Nations Peoples to build meaningful partnerships that deliver long-term benefits and reflect the cultural values of those communities. Congratulations Darumbal mob! Photo supplied by CQP Darumbal Enterprises Pty Ltd Kristina Hatfield Queensland Indigenous Business Network

Hey First Nations Community Housing Providers in NSW!! Funding opportunity here to help tenants reduce energy bills and keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Funding is available for energy performance upgrades like: solar systems reverse cycle air conditioners heat pump hot water systems LED lighting ceiling fans window shading ceiling insulation draught proofing. Visit our website for more details on this 'Community Housing Energy Performance grant' which closes 1 November 2024. Funded by NSW Government and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Aboriginal Community Housing Ltd ACHIA NSW Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council Bungree Aboriginal Association Bunjum Aboriginal Corporation Coffs Harbour and District LALC Coonamble Local Aboriginal Land Council Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council GUNIDA GUNYAH ABORIGINAL CORPORATION Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council Many Rivers Regional Housing Moombahlene MLALC Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation Ltd Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council SEARMS Community Housing Aboriginal Corporation Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council Twofold Aboriginal Corporation Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council Wanaruah Aboriginal Land Council Wandiyali Woomera Aboriginal Corporation Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land COuncil NSW Aboriginal Land Council

We’re happy the session on understanding First Nations engagement went so well. When people have all the information at hand early on well before a project is fully conceived, and can share and consult on that information with co-decision-makers in a community, organisation or Nation as per community decision-making channels, and when decision-makers are treated as equals - as significant project partners rather than stakeholders or renters, the message from the Pilbara roundtable held last year is that key First Nations’ engagement is likely more assured, strategic partnership and equity arrangements more promising, and land access more likely. Access more of what First Nations around the country had to say about engagement here https://lnkd.in/gYBPCw7t

Hey First Nations living on Dharawal country in postcode 2515. Funding is available to make your home more energy efficient, and make energy bills more affordable!! Renters and home owners can apply for: —> a fully subsidised smart energy device to be installed in your home to track and optimise your energy use. —> a subsidy of up to $1500 to replace a gas heater or reverse cycle air conditioner —> a subsidy of up to $1500 to replace a gas hot water system —> a subsidy of up to $1500 to replace a gas cooktop with an induction cooktop The Australian Bureau of Statistics notes there’s over 230 First Nations people living in postcode 2515. It’s a great opportunity to apply! Click here and let us know how you go! https://lnkd.in/gCPGbVws Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Rewiring Australia, Endeavour Energy (NSW), Brighte NSW Aboriginal Land Council Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land COuncil Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service University of Wollongong Illawarra Indigenous Business Network Chris Bowen MP Alison Byrnes MP Saul Griffith

The formalisation of First Nations perspectives into the budgeting process. 'The push to capture First Nations cultural benefits is part of a broader movement, led by federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, to take a more comprehensive view of the inputs to government decision-making, dubbed “measuring what matters”.' An interesting article by Tom Burton from The Australian Financial Review.

This deal took over three years, back and forth with the negotiation. We had to have an ironclad agreement, and the way around that was to do an Indigenous Land Use Agreement. That’s Portia Wright talking, a director from Nyul Nyul PBC Aboriginal Corporation. Portia is talking about a new 20-year agreement between the Nyul Nyul people of Beagle Bay in Western Australia and Horizon Power to develop renewable energy that will supply the community clean electricity. Portia told David Prestipino from the National Indigenous Times, 'we consulted with Horizon through the Kimberley Land Council, which has more experience in dealing with these type of negotiations, and they came back to us with a really stronger deal." “We want to keep Country for the future generation, we want to ensure the Beagle Bay community continues to survive and thrive, and we want to make sure that they are looked after as well. "So when negotiations like this come up, and we have got to give land over - and we know it's for the for the betterment of the community, for their lifestyles, for their generations to come – we have to make sure as a board that we are compensated well, so we can put further money back into the community. "We don't want to repeat past mistakes from other organisations that's had Native Title determinations for more than 20 years. "So for us to strike a deal like this for the Nyul Nyul people… "We're really, really quite proud of it." Thanks for use of the photo showing Nyul Nyul PBC Aboriginal Corporation directors in Beagle Bay and Horizon Power representatives -- including one of the First Nations Clean Energy Network's PowerMakers 2023 alumni Aaron Matthews! Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Energy Policy WA Reece Whitby Chris Bowen MP Synergy (Electricity Generation and Retail Corporation) Stephanie Unwin

Hey First Nations! Capacity building opportunity here (Participants from Traditional Owner organisations are eligible for a discounted rate)