When communities stop engaging: Moving from listening to action
The race to roll out renewable energy in New South Wales is reshaping regional communities but many residents and councils in renewable energy zones (REZ) are reaching breaking point. These projects promise cleaner power, new jobs, and regional investment. Yet, for those living within REZs, the constant stream of consultation has become overwhelming. Principal Engagement and Social Planning Alysia Bradshaw explains.
The scale and pace of development within REZs across NSW means that multiple large projects are often proposed in the same area, each with its own consultation process.
In some cases, there are multiple projects in various stages of planning within close proximity.
Communities and councils can find themselves juggling overlapping requests for input from different proponents, agencies and consultants, sometimes within weeks of each other.
Some residents in REZ areas are fatigued or simply disengaged . Over the past few years, some people have been asked to attend meetings, fill out surveys, and participate in forums for multiple projects, often run by different proponents, government agencies, or consultants. this can leave people frustrated, sceptical, and less willing to participate.
‘Nobody got back to us,’ a resident told me recently. ‘Nothing changed, nothing was acted on, it’s like they didn’t care.’
This fatigue is not limited to community members. Local governments, who are often the first port of call for residents’ concerns, are also being stretched thin. One council employee recently told Onward they had participated in 32 separate social impact assessment interviews in connection with renewable energy projects.
The issue is not that communities or councils don’t want to be involved. Many care deeply about the impacts of large-scale renewable developments on their land, livelihoods, and way of life. The real problem lies in feedback loops. Too often, stakeholders share their views but never hear back about what was done with their input.
To address consultation fatigue, engagement needs to shift from quantity to quality. Fewer, more coordinated conversations across projects could reduce duplication and show respect for people’s time. Crucially, closing the loop – reporting back clearly on how feedback has influenced decisions – must become standard practice.
At Onward, we help both industry and councils navigate this challenge by designing smarter, coordinated engagement strategies that strengthen trust and reduce duplication. If you’re grappling with consultation fatigue in your REZ, reach out to our team for advice and support.
