Government Relations

FutureEnergy Australia

Client
FutureEnergy Australia
Project type
Energy, stakeholder engagement, community consultation, digital, media
Project date
2022 - 2024
Aerial render of the proposed FutureEnergy Australia renewable diesel facility on Wanerie Road.

The brief

Stepping fast toward pioneering Australia’s first commercial-scale renewable biodiesel project in regional WA, joint venture business FutureEnergy Australia (FEA) was on the cusp of making its Final Investment Decision (FID) on a multi-million dollar production facility.

In a market saturated with news and information focused on the emergence of hydrogen and electrification, FEA needed a range of different outlets to communicate its unique story developing a product to help meet energy needs during the transition. Spoke was engaged to deliver a wide range of communication, engagement and consultation tactics to educate the local community and key stakeholders.

This included assistance navigating through Development Approval at local government level as well as project referral to the EPA WA for assessment, grant funding applications and presenting the project at industry events.

Our approach

  • Deployed a team of 4 communications specialists to oversee multiple program elements run concurrently.
  • Developed a range of communications materials across digital, print and online mediums.
  • Identified and developed a plan to engage key stakeholders, then participated in briefings to inform them of the project, enlist their support and share the community/economic opportunity.
  • Provided a messaging conduit to investors, feedstock suppliers, offtakers, the agriculture sector, government and local community.
  • Assisted in planning and delivering community consultation activities in tandem with Shire of Narrogin.
  • Managed proactive and reactive media with journalists from local, state, national and trade media outlets.
  • Established new digital channels such as YouTube to help expand reach of digital content.

The results

  • Seamless planning and project management led to production of a highly professional suite of communications material including a 60-second teaser video and feature five minute film, two page fact sheet, letters, media releases and dedicated website.
  • Spoke identified and conducted direct outreach to key stakeholders from the agricultural, local government, environmental, fuel/transport and NRM sectors to brief them of the proposed project and anticipated outcomes.
  • Successfully planned and implemented a town hall style community consultation event with 110 attendees in Narrogin.
  • Built stakeholder and consultant feedback into submissions required for DA, JDAP and EPA considerations.
  • Assisted the client reaching an MOU with Horizon Power to explore project scaling around regional WA.
  • Successfully applied for $2m in project funding through the State Government’s Clean Energy Future Fund.
  • Excellent participation and collateral resharing rate among influencers including Shire presidents, agricultural leaders, government departments and energy sector professionals.
  • Sought and secured speaking roles at industry and investor events, strengthening presentations and stakeholder engagement in line with the desired outcomes of project being used as an educational tool.
  • Delivered exceptional media outcomes across multiple campaigns including combined cross-platform audience reach exceeding 21 million.

Coverage

  • Front page of the Narrogin Observer, 21 July 2022, leading with the proposed renewable diesel facility.
  • Two FutureEnergy representatives inspecting feedstock in a regional processing shed.
  • Biofuels International reporting the FutureEnergy Australia memorandum of understanding with Horizon Power.
  • The FutureEnergy Australia team beside their banner at a community briefing.
  • An Upstream energy transition spread on renewable diesel, featuring Carnarvon Energy managing director Adrian Cook.
  • Diagram of the FutureEnergy process, from biomass processing through syngas to renewable diesel and biochar.

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