The shift to clean energy is reshaping industries across Australia, and for regional communities like Wide Bay Burnett, the stakes are high. Done well, the transition offers a genuine opportunity to attract investment, create jobs, and build competitive advantage. Done poorly, it risks leaving regional businesses behind while the benefits flow elsewhere.

In response to this challenge, RDA Wide Bay Burnett (WBB) commissioned a research and stakeholder engagement initiative to understand what the transition looks like from the ground up.

Through a series of workshops, interviews, and economic modelling, the project brought local industry, government, and community voices into the conversation. The resulting report doesn't just describe the challenge, it documents what regional businesses need, what's getting in the way, and what a well-managed transition could deliver for the region.

What emerged from the process was a clear picture of the barriers facing local industries. Policy ambiguity topped the list, with businesses struggling to plan and invest when timelines shift, regulatory requirements are unclear, and incentive programs come and go. Alongside this, collaboration gaps between levels of government and industry bodies mean that regional stakeholders are often working in isolation rather than toward a shared strategy. For smaller firms in particular, the challenge is even more acute, without access to technical expertise or capital then clean technology adoption can feel out of reach.

But the research also surfaced real optimism. The WBB region is well-positioned to become a leader in clean industry, but only if the conditions are right. The report recommends establishing a stable, predictable policy environment; creating a regional clean energy hub to coordinate stakeholders and provide technical support; and putting in place targeted financial assistance for smaller businesses making the transition. Investment in workforce development and training is equally critical, ensuring local workers are equipped for the jobs the transition will create.

The significance of this project extends beyond the report itself. It demonstrates what all RDAs are best positioned to do, convene diverse stakeholders, surface on-the-ground intelligence, and translate regional experience into evidence that governments can act on. RDA WBB has ensured that WBB region’s voice is heard clearly in national conversations about the clean energy future, and that the region is positioned not as a bystander, but as an active participant in shaping it.