Building understanding and support for major regional infrastructure
Challenge
Advanced Energy Tech (AET) is developing the Advanced Resource Recovery Centre (ARRC), a major resource recovery project proposed for regional Victoria.
The project is designed to recover materials currently going to landfill and return them to productive use, while creating local jobs, strengthening regional supply chains and supporting new industry and investment in the Loddon Mallee.
But progressing infrastructure of this scale is complex. AET needs to work across local and state government, regulators, industry, potential investors and the community, all with different levels of knowledge, priorities and interests in the project.
AET had a strong technical and commercial case. The challenge was making that case easier to understand, while building the relationships, community trust and confidence needed to move the project forward.
What We Did
Vant has worked with AET since 2025 and continues to support the project.
Vant developed an overarching communications and engagement strategy, giving AET a clear framework for where to focus its time and effort. Engagement was linked back to the project's objectives, helping the team prioritise the stakeholders, activities and conversations that mattered most.
We also developed a clear narrative and consistent messaging that translated a technically complex project into everyday language. We focused on what the project is seeking to achieve and what that could mean in practice — recovering more materials from landfill, creating reliable supply for businesses that can reuse them, supporting local manufacturing and keeping more economic value within the region.
Vant also produced a documentary-style film introducing AET to the Loddon Mallee community. The film introduces the people behind AET, their regional connection and experience before the ARRC itself, so the community gets to know the company before it gets to know the proposal.
The approach carried through into ongoing stakeholder and community engagement — MP and councillor briefings, industry engagement, community activities, stakeholder tours of AET's R&D facility, digital content, presentations, issues management and executive messaging.
The work is practical and relationship-led, creating opportunities for people to understand the project, ask questions, see AET's work firsthand and be part of the conversation as the project develops.
Outcome
AET now has a clearer and more consistent way to explain a complex project and why it matters to the region.
Its communications are grounded in practical outcomes rather than technology alone, giving government, councils, industry and community a clearer picture of what the ARRC is designed to do and the opportunity it represents.
AET has also built a stronger presence in the region and a growing network of relationships around the project, creating more opportunities for informed conversations with the people who will influence its future.
For a long-term infrastructure project, the work isn't about a single campaign or consultation. It is about steadily building understanding, trust and relationships as the project develops.
Vant continues to support AET as the project progresses.