The Shire of Narrogin is managing a series of renewable energy projects—taking a proactive approach to sharing information to provide a strategic view of issues and inform the community, while putting in place local planning and Council policies to guide the development process.
Project information website
The Shire has created a dedicated renewable energy webpage. This provides detailed information on current and proposed projects. This resource offers transparency, enabling the local community, Council staff, and developers to access a comprehensive view of all renewable energy projects in the area. The website is an essential tool, driving greater community awareness and allowing discussion of the cumulative investment and impacts being proposed for the Shire.
Establishing clear expectations through policy
The Shire has developed a local policy detailing clear expectations regarding community benefit contributions and legacy outcomes from renewable energy developers. Drawing inspiration from established practices in other states, particularly the New South Wales community benefit guidelines, the Shire has set clear benchmarks. The policies address crucial community priorities such as local employment, workforce training, infrastructure upgrades, and securing legacy investments.
Strategic management of risks and opportunities
The Shire's approach balances management of the challenges associated with renewable project developments while also seeking to harness the significant opportunity renewables investment presents for the Narrogin community and surrounding region. This aims to ensure local assets are protected and there are lasting infrastructure legacies that benefit the community beyond the short-term construction period. The Shire is also advocating for state government support to complete cumulative impact assessments to review the implications of the concentration of projects in the area and sees a pressing need for better coordination to mitigate potential negative consequences, including workforce shortages and escalating housing costs.
Image
Image: Western Australia's Wheatbelt region.
Note: Case study current as at 20 October 2025.
This case study first appeared in the Western Australian Local Government Association's Renewable Energy Community Benefits and Engagement Guide (2025).