The appointment of Lisa Taylor to the position of Community Engagement Manager – Wind by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) has been hailed as a much-needed fulcrum of knowledge between the wind industry and the general public.

Ms Taylor recently sat down with EcoGeneration and spoke about the ways in which she addresses community opposition to wind farm development, the reasons for this opposition and the lessons to be learnt by other renewable energies.

Community Engagement Manager – Wind, is a new position created by the CEC. Why was it necessary to establish such a role?

The position was established in conjunction with the wind industry, so it is something that has been born out of a collaborative approach between the CEC and the wind industry collectively.

The job has become necessary because the CEC is committed to the renewable energy targets, and wind is seen as one of the most cost-effective alternative energy sources in Australia at the moment. This means it is an important time in the clean energy space for the wind industry particularly.

What is involved in the day-to-day workings of your role?

We have two pilot programs, one which is taking place in the Australian Capital Territory/New South Wales area, and another in southwest Victoria. Part of my role is to work with two people on the ground who have direct contact with communities in relation to the wind industry.

A bigger part of my role is to provide resources, strategy and leadership for the wind industry around some of these issues. For example, most recently we launched some online resources that outline the benefits of the wind industry, which can be used by the whole industry and the community as well.

Another part of my role is to listen to communities and provide leadership around some of the issues, and then try and work positive solutions back through the industry. It’s part of being a conduit for both the community and the wind industry – engaging and promoting wind as a renewable energy source.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The diversity of the role. Meeting with communities, and having the opportunity to work on something I believe in, in terms of renewable energy. Representing the CEC in communities is an honour as well.

What do you find most challenging?

I guess one of the greatest challenges is that there is an anti-wind campaign which is quite aggressive, so that’s a challenge. It’s based on fear and not fact. I guess it’s a challenge to face issues that are based on emotion and not reason.

What are the key skills that you bring to this role? What new skills are you developing?

Most recently I worked for the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Queensland) as a senior media advisor. So, obviously I’m not adverse to issues. Prior to that, I worked as a senior media advisor to the Queensland Police Service.

As a senior media advisor, one of my primary roles was working on high-profile incidents, tragedies, crimes, all sorts of things. I’m quite used to issue management, which is probably the best way to describe it.

Why do you think there is such a high level of opposition to rural-based wind farms?

I don’t think its high level; I think it’s a well-organised campaign by a minority. The statistics show that 80 per cent of people surveyed say that they are very committed to renewable energy and not opposed to wind. So we’ve got to keep it in perspective that it’s not a majority.

The anti-wind movement is by a minority, but they are very vocal, and have time on their hands. Why are they like that? There is a lot of fear; they use fear as a means of gathering momentum and fears around health are something that people will take note of and stop and listen to. I think the use of fear is something they use well. People are generally open to wind farms, but there is always an element for all of us of ‘we like it but we don’t want it in our backyard’.

I also think that the wind industry is coming into its own maturity and perhaps I would be ignorant if I didn’t say that there are things to learn in how we engage with communities. I’m not saying that it’s all bad, I’m not saying that it’s all good – I think that there are greater opportunities to actively engage with communities about what the wind industry is intending to do in communities.

I don’t think the wind industry has been very good at getting its message out in terms of the positive message. Because at the end of the day, the wind industry is not only a cost-effective renewable energy source, it is also generating jobs and reviving regional communities. It brings employment, and it also brings financial benefits to a community as well. I think we’ve shied away from these things and it’s probably time to promote the cost-effectiveness the benefits to the community.

What are some of the ways in which you address these issues?

I think it's community awareness. I don’t think that the wind industry needs to tackle its campaign as such, but I think it needs to provide a balanced prospective. You need to provide decision makers and communities with facts. You need to listen, because at the end of the day, people want to be heard. Unfortunately it’s being played out in the media, so it’s about providing a balanced response to the media.

How has the Senate Inquiry into the Social and Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms benefited the wind industry? Has it had any unwanted effects?

I don’t think it’s had any unwanted effects. As a representative of the CEC, I thought it was a fair and balanced outcome. I think it gave people a forum, both pro- and anti-wind, to express their views in a safe manner. So that’s a good thing.

In terms of the recommendations, to my mind the Senate inquiry convinced me more than ever that there doesn’t seem to be much weight to some of the claims being made by the anti-wind minority.

Do you think that these lessons learnt by the wind energy industry can be adapted to other emerging renewable energies?

I personally hope that every renewable energy doesn’t have to go through this sort of experience. It would be nice if we were more forward thinking with our renewable energy sources a stronger push towards the Renewable Energy Target. I wouldn’t like to see all of the industries go through this.

The Senate inquiry opened up the debate and dispelled some of the myths, but I think it would be a tragedy and waste of Parliamentary resources to open every renewable energy source up to something like this.