Industry Insights - Tarnia Riggs

Communications & Engagement

Effective communication and meaningful engagement sit at the heart of successful projects, programs and organisations. This collection explores the strategies, approaches and lessons learned from building trust, managing stakeholder relationships and fostering community participation across infrastructure, energy, government, public health and community-focused initiatives. From strategic communications and stakeholder engagement to social licence and community consultation, these insights highlight the power of people-centred communication in delivering better outcomes.

Williamstown Main Sewer Rehabilitation Project | Community Engagement, Heritage Storytelling & Infrastructure Communications

What do you do when your project involves rehabilitating a 100-year-old sewer beneath one of Melbourne’s most historic suburbs? You tell a story. This case study explores how heritage storytelling, community engagement and strategic communications helped transform Melbourne Water’s Williamstown Main Sewer Rehabilitation Project from a disruptive infrastructure upgrade into a community conversation about local history, identity and the importance of renewing essential infrastructure.

Stakeholder Engagement 101 | The 10 Principles Every Project Should Follow

Strong stakeholder engagement is about far more than communication. It is the foundation of trust, risk management, social licence and successful project delivery. This article explores ten enduring principles of stakeholder engagement and how they continue to shape better outcomes across infrastructure, energy, government, public health and community-focused projects. From building relationships and managing expectations to fostering transparency and collaboration, these principles provide a practical framework for engaging people meaningfully and creating lasting value.

Stakeholder Engagement 101 | The Foundation of Successful Projects

Stakeholder engagement is far more than a project requirement or communications activity. It is one of the most effective tools available for building trust, managing risk, securing social licence, and improving project outcomes. Drawing on lessons learned across infrastructure, energy, water, public health and government programs, this article explores why meaningful engagement remains essential to successful project delivery and how early engagement can help clear obstacles before they become barriers to progress.

Beyond Consultation | Building Trust, Social Licence and Better Project Outcomes Through Early Engagement

Community engagement is no longer a box-ticking exercise. In an increasingly complex project environment, early engagement helps build trust, secure social licence, identify risks before they escalate and create better outcomes for both communities and project teams. Drawing on lessons learned across infrastructure, energy, water, health and government projects, this article explores why meaningful engagement remains one of the most important factors in successful project delivery.

The Skills You Don’t Leave Behind | Career Reinvention the Power of Transferable Skills

The most valuable skills in your career are often the ones you don’t realise you’re carrying with you. Communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership, problem-solving and adaptability can open doors across industries, roles and life stages. This article explores the power of transferable skills, career reinvention and how experience gained over time can become the foundation for new opportunities, growth and long-term success.

Strategic Communications for Corporate Sustainability in 2026 | Building Trust Through Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic communication is no longer just about delivering messages. In 2026, organisations must balance transparency, stakeholder expectations, risk management and organisational trust in increasingly complex operating environments. This article explores how effective communication and stakeholder engagement strategies support corporate sustainability, strengthen reputation, improve organisational resilience and help businesses navigate rapidly evolving social, environmental and governance expectations.

Novavax Clinic Opening Case Study | COVID-19 Communications, Public Health Engagement; Behavioural Change Campaigns

A reflective case study exploring the opening of the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Level 3, Myer Centre Adelaide during the South Australian pandemic response. The project highlights public health communications, behavioural change campaigns, stakeholder engagement, environmental graphics and community-focused clinic activation delivered during one of the most significant global health events in modern history.

Adelaide Showground Super Vaccination Clinic Case Study | COVID-19 Communications, Community Engagement & Creative Public Health Campaigns

A reflective case study exploring the Adelaide Showground Super Vaccination Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting creative communications, public engagement, environmental branding and child-focused campaign design within a large-scale public health response environment.

Balancing Deliberate & Emergent Strategy in 2026 | Adaptive Leadership, Innovation & Business Growth

An industry insights article exploring deliberate and emergent strategy through a modern 2026 lens, examining adaptive leadership, innovation, strategic agility and organisational resilience across evolving business and operational environments.