Commencing in 2022, TasNetworks and its engagement partner, RPS Group, undertook a unique, industry-leading co-design process to develop a Community Benefit Sharing Program (CBSP) for communities in North West Tasmania impacted by the proposed North West Transmission Developments (NWTD) infrastructure project. The NWTD project is a once in a generation upgrade to the electricity network, needed to support Tasmania's ambition to become a world-leading renewable energy provider and double clean energy production by 2040. The NWTD upgrade will provide much-needed capacity to support new and existing renewable energy developments in the region, enabling Tasmania to use its energy system more efficiently.
The main objectives of the co-design process were to:
- create a coordinated, transparent approach to the development of a CBSP for North West Tasmania
- provide a robust and defensible process that included capacity-building for future community leaders with the formation of a Youth Panel, delivering benefits to the community from the start
- provide opportunities for feedback from young people, stakeholders and community to strongly influence the development of the program and its implementation
- build stakeholder and community trust in the engagement processes and the CBSP itself.
At the centre of this co-design process was a Youth Panel, with members aged 18-25 years from 6 affected local government municipalities. This approach offered the Youth Panel, along with community members and stakeholders, the opportunity to strongly influence the development and implementation of the program.
The Youth Panel was empowered to develop eligibility requirements and draft a CBSP framework to ensure the values, concerns and priorities of the local community were reflected in the benefits the program will deliver.
The co-design process included extensive engagement with the broader community and stakeholders, to inform the Youth Panel's thinking, and with stakeholders on the governance arrangements for the CBSP.
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Image: The Community Benefit Sharing Program Youth Panel on site.
Positive outcomes
In early 2023, TasNetworks' Board approved recommendations detailed by the Youth Panel for the CBSP eligibility requirements and stakeholders' preferred governance arrangements for the program's implementation. This included an Independent Community Assessment Panel to ensure TasNetworks' ongoing collaboration with the community as the CBSP is implemented.
$10 million was committed by TasNetworks to be applied during the construction phase of Stage 1 of the NWTD project (scheduled for early-mid 2026).
Youth Panel participants provided feedback which indicated a high level of satisfaction with the co-design process, outcomes and overall trust that TasNetworks will be influenced by their recommendations. A quote from Sophie, Youth Panel participant, sums up the opportunity this program has created for other organisations to learn from:
"…it is important to recognise TasNetworks' efforts to engage with the youth of the 6 municipalities in a meaningful way. I strongly believe that other organisations could benefit from following this approach to ensure that young people have a voice in decision-making processes that impact their future."
This unique and highly successful co-design process provides a template for other infrastructure providers to follow. It demonstrates community members, including young people, when empowered and supported, can develop positive and sustainable outcomes that are reflective of community values, interests and priorities.
Note: Case study current as at 24 October 2025.