A new energy landscape update for First Nations in Western Australia provides an overview of policy, regulatory and financial hurdles and opportunities for First Nations groups and communities wanting to pursue clean energy solutions.

An update of an earlier State overview, the latest energy landscape update provides an overview and reviews Western Australia’s energy transition, including the shift towards large-scale renewable energy projects.

The paper notes that as renewable energy projects are increasingly occurring on First Nations land in Western Australia, ensuring that the transition delivers meaningful and lasting benefits for First Nations people and communities is a critical policy and governance issue.

Given the complex interaction between native title, Crown land management and private property rights, there is an ongoing need to carefully consider how First Nations rights and interests are recognised and protected, and how the economic and social benefits of renewable energy development are equitably shared with the Traditional Owners whose lands are central to the transition.

In addition to providing an overview of the energy landscape in Western Australia, the paper delves into key Federal and State energy policy and programs impacting First Nations.

It reviews current partnerships between renewable energy developers and First Nations peoples including other mechanisms supporting First Nations participation in projects, and sets out what this all means for First Nations communities in Western Australia.

Read the update