Case study: Putting traditional owner voices at the centre of energy transition
Client: Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Client
Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR)
The challenge
Traditional Owner Corporations (TOCs) were being asked to participate in Victoria’s renewable energy transition. However, there was little clarity about what that participation should entail, what support was required, or how structural barriers could be addressed. The government lacked a shared understanding of what needed genuine partnership, and TOCs were being asked to lead without being resourced, respected, or even heard.
What we did
Anaiwan Advisory partnered with DJSIR to design and lead a statewide engagement process grounded in cultural respect and practical outcomes. We:
- Facilitated individual conversations with TOCs across Victoria
- Built trust through culturally safe, non-extractive engagement
- Identified systemic barriers to participation, from land access to resourcing and capability
- Developed a narrative that amplified TOC voices, clarified shared priorities, and offered practical policy pathways
- Delivered an insights-led report aligned with both community perspectives and government decision-making cycles
The impact
The project reset how the government listens. TOC leaders shaped the findings, framed the solutions, and guided the tone of the report. The final report provided not only policy advice but also a cultural benchmark for future work. It’s now being used to inform reform across multiple agencies and is held up as a model for values-led, delivery-oriented engagement.
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