AGL’s FY25 Signatory Annual Report demonstrates clear, measurable progress in embedding best practice engagement across its renewable energy portfolio. As a long-standing signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Projects, AGL highlights how early engagement, cultural partnerships and community benefit sharing are shaping more sustainable and socially grounded project outcomes.
As the sector heads into 2026, these FY25 achievements signal the practices and priorities AGL is poised to continue strengthening.
Early and Responsive Engagement Driving Project Change
AGL reports that stakeholder and community input continues to influence its project designs in meaningful ways — an approach that will remain central as new projects progress in 2026.
A notable example is the Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project, where feedback from neighbours and Muswellbrook Shire Council led to a major redesign. The project shifted from an entirely above-ground concept to underground power stations, penstock and access tunnels, significantly reducing visual, noise and environmental impacts.
The emphasis on early engagement and transparent design refinement sets a clear direction for the year ahead.
Strengthening Cultural Heritage Partnerships
AGL describes a major uplift in its First Nations engagement approach through an updated Community Engagement Policy and Standard — a foundation the organisation will continue to build on in 2026.
At the Barn Hill Wind Farm and Battery Project, Narungga, Kaurna and Nukunu representatives collaborated in cultural heritage surveys and a three-nation workshop focused on cultural heritage and benefit sharing. All three Aboriginal Boards subsequently endorsed the survey report and draft Cultural Heritage Management Plan.
FY25 shows what deeper partnership looks like in practice — and signals how this engagement approach will evolve next year.
Local Procurement and Social Enterprise Partnerships
The report highlights how responsible procurement and local economic participation are embedded into major projects, reflecting a commitment that will continue into 2026.
During the early construction phase of the Liddell Battery Project, AGL worked with Blackrock Industries, a First Nations–owned business providing local labour. This contributed to AGL’s commitment to achieving 23% local content across procurement and employment for the project’s construction phase.
These partnerships illustrate a maturing focus on regional employment pathways and locally delivered project benefits.
Community Benefit Sharing at Scale
In FY25, AGL invested $5.95 million in community initiatives across its operating regions, consolidating its contributions into long-term partnerships supporting community resilience, climate action, First Nations empowerment and cost-of-living relief.
Project-specific benefit frameworks — such as the Hallett Wind Farm Community Fund, which supports locally led wellbeing and development initiatives with $60,000 annually — show how structured benefit sharing continues to underpin AGL’s engagement commitments.
Heading into 2026, these long-term community investments remain central to project delivery.
Environmental Stewardship Through Indigenous-Led Land Management
At the Tomago Battery Project, AGL engaged CoolBurn, in partnership with the Worimi Green Team, to deliver biosecurity and weed management using culturally informed land-care practices. These approaches minimise harm to sensitive ecosystems while embedding cultural knowledge into environmental management.
This integration of cultural insight and ecological stewardship is a clear focus AGL will continue developing into the new year.
A Sector-Wide Shift in Practice
The FY25 report demonstrates a consistent pattern across AGL’s renewable energy projects:
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Earlier engagement
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Stronger partnerships with Traditional Custodians
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Greater transparency and responsiveness to feedback
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Growing integration of local economic and environmental outcomes
These initiatives show how mature engagement practice is becoming a foundational part of renewable energy development — not only improving project outcomes but supporting stronger, more resilient communities across Australia.
As 2026 approaches, AGL’s FY25 progress provides a strong indication of the engagement practices set to guide its work in the year ahead.
