The NSW Nationals are calling for a “proper stocktake” of renewable energy projects in rural and regional areas, arguing the current approach is placing too much strain on communities.
Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell said the Legislative Council’s Portfolio Committee report into Renewable Energy Zones reflected what many residents have been feeling on the ground.
“There is an incredible amount of frustration with renewable projects in regional areas,” Mr Layzell said.
“Too many of them are speculative, coming through the system too fast, and causing huge amounts of angst in the community. What we need to do is look at the cumulative impact, weed out projects that don’t have the legs to go all the way, and only move forward with those that make sense and have real prospects.”
Mr Layzell stressed the Nationals were not against renewable energy altogether, but said projects must be implemented in a fair and balanced way.
“Renewable energy has its place in our future, but at the moment too much of the heavy load is being carried by people in the Upper Hunter, while those in Sydney reap the benefits. That’s not fair.
“We need the right projects, in the right places, with the support of regional communities.”
Mr Layzell welcomed moves to repurpose former mining land — such as the recently approved transition of the old Muswellbrook coal mine into a solar farm — but said important safeguards were still missing.
“Solar farms can play a role, but we need proper buffer zones between residential areas and solar panels, and we must protect high-value agricultural land. Food security into the future has to remain a priority alongside energy development,” he said.
The committee’s first report into the impact of Renewable Energy Zones on regional communities has now been tabled, with the Nationals pushing for its recommendations to be taken up by the State Government.
Feature image credit: Darren Cutrupi
