Renewable energy transition

As part of an Australian Research Council (ARC) research project on the benefits of Aboriginal land restitution, the Indigenous Land and Justice Research Hub (ILJRH) have undertaken a suite of advocacy and engagement initiatives to support Aboriginal landholders to be part of the renewable energy transition in NSW.

In 2021, UTS conducted a study of Aboriginal aspirations in relation to renewable energy transition, surveying Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) located in the Western Orana and New England Indicative Renewable Energy Zones. This study revealed LALCs are eager for renewable energy as a pathway for improving opportunities to live and work locally, boost energy security, lower costs, enable care of Country and create wealth.

This initial research has informed UTS’ advocacy on the use Aboriginal for renewable energy projects, where communities give their consent. The ILJRH has advocated this position in various forums including, in the NSW Legislative Assembly’s Inquiry into the Sustainability of Energy Supply and Resources, in consultations with and submissions to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, in reviews of strategic plans for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, in public events (for e.g. the FNCEN Symposium, 2022), and the UTS Indigenous Climate Justice Conference, 2022, and in media articles including The Conversation and Arena. Professor Heidi Norman has also joined the steering group of the First Nations Clean Energy Network, a national peak body, who have successfully lobbied the Federal government to develop a First Nations Clean Energy Policy.

These engagement activities have led to a partnership between UTS, the Western Zone of NSWALC, and FNCEN. In August, Cr Ross Hampton invited ILJRH to co-host a workshop in the Western Zone to inform the development of a regional strategy for advancing LALC aspirations in renewable energy. In November, eight LALCs will gather in Dareton to participate. These LALCs are Balranald, Broken Hill, Cobar, Dareton, Menindee, Mutawintji, Tibooburra, and Wilcannia.

Drawing on industry networks, including Chalk & Behrendt Lawyers, Finity Consulting and the Institute of Sustainable Futures (ISF), the workshop hosts will facilitate a knowledge exchange with LALCs. Research and information will be shared with community, including recent research conducted by ILJRH and ISF mapping the renewable potential of LALC landholdings. The aim of the workshop is to empower LALCs to make technical and business decisions related to their landholdings, and to communal decision-making around land, which aligns with LALC values and aspirations.

Yaliwunga interns have also been getting involved with this exciting research. Mark Streeter, Noah Mullins and Remi-Rose Evans (FASS Animation graduates) have created an animation for First Nations Clean Energy Network. The animation (refer image below) features Lizzy – a lizard explaining the basics of renewable energy and it will be used to guide Aboriginal communities in deciding whether to host renewable energy projects on their lands.

In related news, Yaliwunga intern, Claire Cooper-Southam, conducted research in partnership with Quandamooka Native Title Holders to examine how their native title interests were understood and portrayed in mainstream media. This research is highlighted in Blak Bias episode 6 titled ‘Native Title and Indigenous land ownership in the media’.

For further information on the Indigenous Land and Justice Research Hub’s research contact iljrh@uts.edu.au