Mega renewable projects on Indigenous land: prospects for real benefit?

In the last few years there has been a rapid growth in the spatial jurisdiction of Indigenous lands and renewed appeals for native title rights and interests to include forms of property with commercial value. Much of this Indigenous estate is highly solar and wind energy prospective.

Recently, Jon Altman participated in several forums where Indigenous landowners and their supporting organisations, like the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation and the First Nations Clean Energy Network, have articulated aspirations for a greater commercial involvement in mega renewable projects.

In this seminar, Jon canvasses if there are prospects for real benefits for Indigenous landowners focusing on three multi-billion-dollar mega renewable projects in remote Australia all still in early development stage. Analysing the limited public information available, Jon explores some of the regulatory and other challenges that Indigenous landowners will face to ensure they capture a fair share from renewable energy projects on their lands.

About the Speaker

Jon Altman is an emeritus professor at the School of Regulation and Global Governance, CAP, ANU and a director of two not-for-profits - Original Power and the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust - that both play a role in promoting the clean energy transitions on Indigenous land. He is a member of the Governing the Energy Transition hub at RegNet. He has a long-term interest in land rights and native title and the regulation of resource extraction multinationals and their engagements with Indigenous landowners.

COVID protocols

• As there is a maximum capacity for this venue, registration is mandatory for this event. Please register here.
• Places are offered on a first come, first served basis. You will receive an email on Wednesday 3 August advising if your reservation is successful or if you have been placed on a waitlist.
• Please do not attend this event if you feel unwell, are awaiting the results of a test or are required to self-isolate/quarantine. The ANU's COVID Safety advice can be accessed here.
• The ANU will continue to require that masks be worn indoors for the foreseeable future, except when eating or drinking.
• Attendees are encouraged to use hand sanitiser and the Check in CBR app at the entrance to the building.
• Please maintain good social hygiene by staying 1.5m apart from others and coughing/sneezing into elbows.

This event will be in-person only.

Image credit: Sun Cable render of solar precinct, used with permission.