Renewable energy, data centres and energy-intensive industries could shift economic growth towards regional Australia, where power can be generated and used closer to source.

Australia has been a nation of cities pullulating on our shores, but the new industries emerging to combat climate change are in the country. And industries that need that power may have to move to the country.

At present we are witnessing just the inklings of the changes that are opening up many new opportunities for work in the regions and the attendant expansion of regional economies.

Wind power and utility solar power require big spaces on rangelands and wind and sun conditions not likely to be found or afforded near cities. They require extensive, not intensive solutions, and they are creating their own secondary industries.

If you go to Hay, on the central plains of New South Wales, the streets have a renewed purpose about them.

Hay lies in a declared renewable energy zone, and has been sweet-talked by various renewable energy companies in recent years. They have offices in the main street, hoardings around town, and staff willing to take the locals through the process of establishing a new power industry.

Hay, or Burra in South Australia, are places where renewable energy companies learned that by engaging with the local community they were much less likely to run into entrenched opposition to their plans. And........

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