Striking a New Deal (SaND)

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As the energy landscape in New South Wales evolves, regional areas like Uralla Shire are beginning to experience the early impacts of new renewable energy projects. With these changes on the horizon, Uralla Shire Council wants to ensure our community is informed, involved, and empowered to help shape how this development happens, so that it brings real, long-term benefits to our region.

We’ve partnered with The Next Economy - a not-for-profit organisation that works with regional communities across Australia - to help us engage with residents and stakeholders in meaningful ways. TNE has supported towns like Hay, Mt Isa, and the Latrobe Valley to prepare for economic shifts by building local strategies and capturing community knowledge. Now, they’re supporting us to do the same here in Uralla Shire. You can find out more about the Next Economy at www.nexteconomy.com.au



Why We’re Doing This

While Council doesn’t control whether large-scale renewable energy projects go ahead, we can influence how those developments take place locally. We believe that development should happen with the community. By listening to what matters to you, we can develop a Renewable Energy Strategic Plan that will support Council to:

  • Understand local priorities around infrastructure, jobs, housing, environment, and more.
  • Identify concerns early, such as impacts on roads, land use, or lifestyle.
  • Explore opportunities for new investment to improve services and support the local economy.
  • Ensure transparency and accountability in how Council engages with developers and plans for future growth.

This practical plan will reflect what good development looks like in Uralla Shire, and how renewable energy projects can best support our community’s vision for the future.



Project Phases

The project will roll out in three main phases:

Phase 1: Early Conversations – Complete

We started by speaking directly with a handful of local stakeholders—farmers, business owners, and community leaders —to get an idea of community concerns and aspirations. These conversations helped us map the big issues and make sure the community workshops are grounded in the things you care about.

Phase 2: Community Workshops – 25th- 29th June 2025

We invite all members of the community to join a series of public workshops. These events will provide an opportunity to explore the key themes raised in our early conversations and work together to identify shared priorities and strategies for the future of Uralla Shire. The community workshops will form the basis of the Council’s Renewable Energy Strategic Plan.

Phase 3: Feedback on draft plan - September 2025

We will come back to the community with a draft plan that reflects what we have heard from you.



What we'd like to hear about

We want to make sure future development in Uralla supports the things that matter most to our community. That’s why we’re asking:

  • What are your top priorities for our region?
    (Think: roads, jobs, housing, environment, local services, or anything else that matters to you.)
  • Are there any concerns you’d like to raise early?
    (For example, impacts on local roads, farming land, water use, or the feel of your neighbourhood.)
  • Where do you see opportunities for investment or improvement?
    (Come with big ideas.)
  • What do you expect from Council as new projects take shape?
    (Tell us what transparency, accountability, or community benefit should look like.)

Your answers will help shape how we plan for the future—and how we make sure new projects benefit the whole Shire.



How You Can Get Involved

  • Join an upcoming community workshop: See key dates for a workshop or Drop-in session that suits you
  • Ask questions or share feedback online right here on this page.
  • Schedule a chat with us (between 1-30 June 2025): If you'd like to participate in a one-on-one chat with our engagement team, let us know your availability for an online discussion.



Why Your Input Matters

  • Catch things early on and map out key issues —whether that’s infrastructure planning, environmental protection, or quality of life concerns. We need to hear from you to put together an accurate reflection of key areas of concern for our community, which we will then use as a basis for wider community engagement.
  • Plan better to ensure we preserve Uralla’s unique character and prepare for a thriving future.
  • Identify community priorities for how money is spent and how projects can be best managed.

All views are welcome—whether you’re supportive, opposed, or just want to know more. This is your chance to help guide what a positive future looks like for Uralla Shire.

As the energy landscape in New South Wales evolves, regional areas like Uralla Shire are beginning to experience the early impacts of new renewable energy projects. With these changes on the horizon, Uralla Shire Council wants to ensure our community is informed, involved, and empowered to help shape how this development happens, so that it brings real, long-term benefits to our region.

We’ve partnered with The Next Economy - a not-for-profit organisation that works with regional communities across Australia - to help us engage with residents and stakeholders in meaningful ways. TNE has supported towns like Hay, Mt Isa, and the Latrobe Valley to prepare for economic shifts by building local strategies and capturing community knowledge. Now, they’re supporting us to do the same here in Uralla Shire. You can find out more about the Next Economy at www.nexteconomy.com.au



Why We’re Doing This

While Council doesn’t control whether large-scale renewable energy projects go ahead, we can influence how those developments take place locally. We believe that development should happen with the community. By listening to what matters to you, we can develop a Renewable Energy Strategic Plan that will support Council to:

  • Understand local priorities around infrastructure, jobs, housing, environment, and more.
  • Identify concerns early, such as impacts on roads, land use, or lifestyle.
  • Explore opportunities for new investment to improve services and support the local economy.
  • Ensure transparency and accountability in how Council engages with developers and plans for future growth.

This practical plan will reflect what good development looks like in Uralla Shire, and how renewable energy projects can best support our community’s vision for the future.



Project Phases

The project will roll out in three main phases:

Phase 1: Early Conversations – Complete

We started by speaking directly with a handful of local stakeholders—farmers, business owners, and community leaders —to get an idea of community concerns and aspirations. These conversations helped us map the big issues and make sure the community workshops are grounded in the things you care about.

Phase 2: Community Workshops – 25th- 29th June 2025

We invite all members of the community to join a series of public workshops. These events will provide an opportunity to explore the key themes raised in our early conversations and work together to identify shared priorities and strategies for the future of Uralla Shire. The community workshops will form the basis of the Council’s Renewable Energy Strategic Plan.

Phase 3: Feedback on draft plan - September 2025

We will come back to the community with a draft plan that reflects what we have heard from you.



What we'd like to hear about

We want to make sure future development in Uralla supports the things that matter most to our community. That’s why we’re asking:

  • What are your top priorities for our region?
    (Think: roads, jobs, housing, environment, local services, or anything else that matters to you.)
  • Are there any concerns you’d like to raise early?
    (For example, impacts on local roads, farming land, water use, or the feel of your neighbourhood.)
  • Where do you see opportunities for investment or improvement?
    (Come with big ideas.)
  • What do you expect from Council as new projects take shape?
    (Tell us what transparency, accountability, or community benefit should look like.)

Your answers will help shape how we plan for the future—and how we make sure new projects benefit the whole Shire.



How You Can Get Involved

  • Join an upcoming community workshop: See key dates for a workshop or Drop-in session that suits you
  • Ask questions or share feedback online right here on this page.
  • Schedule a chat with us (between 1-30 June 2025): If you'd like to participate in a one-on-one chat with our engagement team, let us know your availability for an online discussion.



Why Your Input Matters

  • Catch things early on and map out key issues —whether that’s infrastructure planning, environmental protection, or quality of life concerns. We need to hear from you to put together an accurate reflection of key areas of concern for our community, which we will then use as a basis for wider community engagement.
  • Plan better to ensure we preserve Uralla’s unique character and prepare for a thriving future.
  • Identify community priorities for how money is spent and how projects can be best managed.

All views are welcome—whether you’re supportive, opposed, or just want to know more. This is your chance to help guide what a positive future looks like for Uralla Shire.

  • A Shire-wide Conversation About Change and Opportunity

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    Uralla Shire Council is taking steps to prepare for future change in the region and ensure that new development – particularly renewable energy – works for the community in the long term.

    Through a project called Striking a New Deal, Council is working to understand what good development looks like for Uralla and how to make sure local priorities are front and centre when planning for how to manage change. This will help Council advocate for the kinds of benefits that matter most to our community – such as essential services, housing, infrastructure, or local job opportunities.

    To support this work, Council is partnering with The Next Economy, a not-for-profit agency that supports regional communities across Australia to manage change in ways that are inclusive and locally appropriate. The Next Economy will support Council to carry out community engagement and feed community input into local planning.

    In May, Council and The Next Economy spoke with a number of local stakeholders to hear a variety of perspectives on what people would like Uralla to look like in the future. In June, we’ll hold community workshops so that all residents have the opportunity to share their views.

    “This is about planning ahead so that development happens in a way that reflects what our community wants. Council can’t control every project, but we can do the work now to represent our region’s interests and make sure we’re ready to shape a positive future together.” – Toni Averay, General Manager, Uralla Shire Council:

    “In our work across Australia, we’ve seen that communities manage change best when they’re actively involved in shaping it. It is clear that Uralla residents have a strong sense of identity. By hearing from local voices, council can ensure that future development reflects community values, priorities and aspirations.” – Lizzie Webb, CEO, The Next Economy

    To register your interest or stay informed about upcoming workshops, contact esims@uralla.nsw.gov.au