NSW Farmers, EnergyCo and ACEREZ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to design, construct and maintain new transition infrastructure in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), aimed at giving New South Wales landholders a greater voice in the energy transition.
The MoU will support clearer communication with landholders throughout the transition to renewable energy for the region. The intention is to develop codes of conduct around accessing property that will host infrastructure.
The three organisations will collaborate to produce landholder guidance material that outlines rights and responsibilities of all involved, including during construction and operation of the new transmission towers and lines.
As part of the first phase of this relationship, a draft landholder guide was launched at the NSW Farmers 2024 Annual Conference for consultation. The landholder guide, adapted by NSW Farmers and supported by EnergyCo, will contain valuable information for landholders and clear answers to frequently asked questions. The guide is expected to be regularly updated to capture new information as the roll-out of the Central-West Orana REZ continues, and other REZs continue their progress across New South Wales.
The MoU for the Central-West Orana region is effective immediately and is expected to lay the groundwork for better engagement with farmers and communities in all five REZs across New South Wales.
EnergyCo Chief Executive, James Hay, said, “The energy transition in New South Wales presents both challenges and opportunities. Farmers are often the people asked to host essential infrastructure and of course have specific concerns in relation to this.
“By working together constructively, EnergyCo and ACEREZ are committed to collaborating with NSW Farmers to ensure the voices of farmers play a strong role in all five Renewable Energy Zones’ progress.”
ACEREZ Chief Executive, Trevor Armstrong, said, “We look forward to partnering with NSW Farmers and EnergyCo as we deliver this vital project for New South Wales.
“Farmers are critical to the energy transition and ACEREZ is committed to working collaboratively with them and all community members across the Central-West Orana REZ.”
NSW Farmers Chief Executive, Annabel Johnson, said, “We know that to date, the rollout of renewables has been challenging for some landholders, and it is important we protect and support food and fibre production as Australia transitions to new sources of energy.
“The draft landholder guide my team put together was well-received by delegates at our recent Annual Conference, with the focus on practical and commonsense explanations very welcome.
“By being engaged in a genuinely collaborative and constructive dialogue, we can ensure the views of farmers are heard and taken into account, and thereby deliver far better outcomes for landholders.”
Image credit: Phillip Wittke/Shutterstock.com.
