Backroad Connections provides consultancy and services on the planning and implementation of new technologies with a particular emphasis on community engagement.

Effective community engagement is increasingly recognised as crucial to the success of renewable energy deployment. Handled well it can mobilise support and tap new sources of skills and investment. Handled badly it can stop worthwhile projects even getting to the planning stage.

Through the experience of Jack Gilding in the development of Hepburn Wind – Australia’s first community owned wind farm – Backroad Connections can provide unique insights into the strengths and challenges of effective community engagement.

Previous projects and activities are described in the archive section.

Jack conducting site tour at Hepburn Wind launch

Completion of Hepburn Wind turbines 21 March 2011