"I think Hay is a brilliant case study of what we can and should do across regional Australia."

Ms Haines wants hubs in renewable energy zones staffed by neutral advisors.

"I want this to be a place whereby regional communities can get trusted advice and can really negotiate with the big power companies in a way that gives them a sense of ownership and control," she said.

A great read about the community of Hay, and how the council was proactive in working with them to plan and make the most of the shift to renewable energy. They're now determined to embrace a new economy, large-scale wind and solar, if they can reap lasting benefits. The article also talks about the need for Local Energy Hubs to help regional communities as they shift to renewables.

Read 'Renewable wind and solar farms on the Hay Plain in NSW to boost economy, build sustainable farms' in ABC News.