Communities and landholders have been left stunned by a major change to the proposed transmission line for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
The planned route has been widened from one kilometre to three, with the line now set to run east of Nundle, outside the Tamworth Regional Council area and into Walcha Shire.
The original route, unveiled last year, began in Muswellbrook and ran west of Nundle, past Chaffey Dam and through Tamworth before finishing near Walcha. Once operational, the project is expected to deliver an extra 8,000 megawatts of renewable electricity to the grid.
EnergyCo deputy project director Julian Watson said the wider corridor will allow for more detailed consultation with communities while reducing impacts on local roads, bushfire management and the environment.
“It’s unavoidable that there are impacts to private landowners. We really recognise the challenge that poses,” Mr Watson said.
“While there’s more people we need to talk to on a three-kilometre corridor, it does mean that we’re more able to take on board that feedback from landowners and from communities to get the best route overall for the final line of the transmission corridor.”
Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell is less than convinced, though, saying members through the now-impated Gundy Valley haven’t been consulted.
“For years we’ve been working on a route that sort of copies the New England Highway, and now they are heading up the Gundy Valley. And that, for a lot of people, they did not see that coming,” Layzell said.
“They have had no consultation about where they’re going. And suddenly, there’s a route running right through the middle of their property.
“I can guarantee that none of the local members were consulted on this change of route. We were working on the old route and trying to get the best of that situation. And all those landholders were advised at a very late date. So you can imagine that at the moment, they’re in shock.
“I met with them all last week and tried to discuss where we’re at with it. But the reality is EnergyCo, after years of us criticising the way that they’re consulting with communities, have just sprung it on them.
“And within a day, they all had letters saying that their properties were affected.”
Layzell was not only concerned for local residents having their land values impacted, he was also concerned for businesses in the area and the regions long-term economic growth.
“More worryingly, it’s going through some of our critical industries, such as horse studs,” he said.
“Now, that’s an industry we’re trying to build up. And instead, we’ve got transmission lines going through there. And as one horse stud owner said to me, they are seriously considering pulling their investment out of that horse stud because of these transmission lines.”
The good news for residents impacted or curious, EnergyCo will be holding a range of community information sessions will take place during October and November:
- Tuesday 28 October 10am – 2pm, Walcha Veterinary Supplies, Walcha
- Wednesday 29 October, 3pm – 7pm, Muswellbrook Library, Muswellbrook
- Thursday 30 October, 3pm – 7pm, Scone Motor Inn, Scone
- Monday 3 November, 3pm – 7pm, Tamworth Community Event Centre Tamworth
- Tuesday 4 November, 3pm – 7pm, Nundle Memorial Hall, Nundle
- Wednesday 5 November, 3pm – 7pm, Gundy Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Gundy
- Monday 10 November, 3pm – 7pm, Uralla Courthouse, Uralla
- Tuesday 11 November, 3pm – 7pm, Walcha Veterinary Supplies, Walcha
- Wednesday 12 November, 3pm – 7pm, Armidale Town Hall, Armidale
- Thursday 13 November, 5pm – 8pm, Guyra Bowling and Recreation Centre, Guyra
Attendees can drop by at any time during the session to speak with the project team, ask questions and give feedback.
Feedback is invited until Friday 28 November to help identify opportunities and constraints in the new study area. Submissions can be made via email to nerez@energyco.nsw.gov.au or by contacting the New England REZ community engagement team on 1800 061 114
