Industry Insights

Industry Insights explores infrastructure, renewable energy, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and the evolving future of industry across Australia and beyond. Drawing from real-world experience across government, energy, transport, mining and major infrastructure projects, this section translates complex conversations into accessible, human-centred insights.

Topics include renewable energy, social licence, infrastructure planning, stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, AI, future industry trends and public conversation shaping.

Originally published across LinkedIn, professional articles and adapted thought leadership pieces by Tarnia Riggs.

Case Studies & Project Insights

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.

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.

Bonython Park Playspace Case Study | Inclusive Community Infrastructure, Engagement & Landscape Design in Adelaide An in-depth case study examining the Bonython Park Playspace in Adelaide as an example of inclusive community infrastructure, landscape architecture and stakeholder-led urban placemaking. The article explores accessibility, environmental integration, governance, risk management and long-term public value creation within modern community-focused infrastructure delivery.

Sustainable Aviation & Biofuels in Australia | Adelaide Airport’s Green Infrastructure Strategy An industry insights case study exploring Adelaide Airport’s sustainability strategy, sustainable aviation fuel initiatives, environmental management and triple bottom line approach. The article examines how aviation infrastructure, biofuels, ESG, renewable energy and environmental innovation are shaping the future of sustainable aviation in Australia.

OzHarvest Case Study: Think Eat Save, Food Rescue &Community Engagement in Australia A reflective case study exploring sustainability, food rescue, stakeholder engagement and behavioural change through the OzHarvest Think Eat Save initiative and Event Specialist placement experience in Adelaide.

Communications & Engagement

The City of Adelaide is seeking community feedback on its updated Community Engagement Policy, designed to align with South Australia's new Community Engagement Charter and ensure consultation efforts match the significance and impact of decisions affecting the community.

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.

Infrastructure Communications & Community Engagement Strategy in Australia A practical industry insights article exploring infrastructure communications, stakeholder engagement and social licence across major Australian projects. Drawing from real-world experience across education, water, energy and government programs, the article examines how trust, communication and community engagement influence project success far beyond construction and engineering alone.

Leadership & Strategy

Let's Connect

Whether you're seeking strategic communications support, stakeholder engagement expertise, project advisory services, writing, collaboration opportunities or simply want to start a conversation, I'd love to hear from you.

Email Me!