SA Power Networks has a strong legacy of community consultation and engagement through its consultative group structure. This structure has played a significant role in co-designing and participating in Statewide engagement processes to shape the Regulatory proposals that SA Power Networks submits to the Australian Energy Regulator every five years, as well as providing ongoing advice on a range of topics as part of business-as-usual engagement.
Since 2018 Think Human has been a key partner for SA Power Networks at key points in its journey to embed co-design principles in its work with community and stakeholder partners. As part of the most recent Regulatory Proposal (2025-30), SA Power Networks engaged Think Human to lead a comprehensive review and co-design process of its engagement framework and structure to ensure the model reflected what they heard through the regulatory engagement and balanced the capacity and priorities of community and stakeholder partners with the needs of the business.
Think Human designed a three-stage process to guide the transformation:
1. Scoping
This phase involved deep engagement with internal stakeholders and community and stakeholder partners to reflect on the current structure’s effectiveness and define both desired and undesired outcomes for the future. Workshops and interviews were used to surface insights and clarify the purpose of the advisory groups, with a survey used to identify strengths and challenges of the current approach. We created a set of design principles as an output of this phase, to guide the co-design phase..
2. Co-Design
Think Human facilitated a series of co-design sessions with members of the existing Community Advisory Board, other key stakeholders and SA Power Networks staff. These sessions enabled participants to imagine and design alternative models and then explore the pros and cons of various options. Concepts were assessed against the design principles to ensure a more inclusive and responsive advisory structure that aligned with the priorities for the next regulatory period..
3. Synthesis and Recommendations
Insights from the co-design phase were synthesised into a draft model for the consultative groups, with a new Community Advisory Forum and series of Advisory Groups. This model provided greater clarity of purpose, streamlined group structures, and prioritised stronger representation of diverse community voices. Following an internal review the new structure was endorsed in 2024 and the Community Advisory Forum and supporting advisory groups launched. The new model improves governance and provides a link from the groups to SA Power’s Networks Executive Leadership Team. The full consultative group model, Terms of Reference and ongoing work of the groups can be accessed at https://www.talkingpower.com.au/community-advisory-forum.
Key outcomes
- Clarity of Purpose: The new model clearly defines the role of the Community Advisory Forum, ensuring alignment with SA Power Networks regulatory and strategic goals.
- Streamlined Structure: Recommendations included consolidating advisory groups to improve clarity and align to stakeholder capacity.
- Enhanced Representation: The process highlighted the importance of including voices with lived experience and ensuring regular contact with vulnerable customer groups.
Think Human’s approach—grounded in human-centred design and participatory practice—enabled SA Power Networks to co-create a future-facing engagement model with its stakeholders. The process not only delivered a practical framework but also strengthened trust and collaboration between SA Power Networks and the communities it serves.
Think Human was great to work with on this project. They worked closely with our key stakeholders and helped us co-design a consultative group structure that is fit for purpose and reflected what we heard during our regulatory engagement. They were flexible and easy to work with.
Alex Lewis, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Communications and Engagement