The state’s peak farm body has welcomed news thatindependent advice and dispute resolution services will soon be available tofarming families directly impacted by the state’s renewable energy transition.
On Tuesday the NSW Government announced $1.3 million infunding had been awarded to the Energy & Water Ombudsman to provideindependent advice and dispute resolution services to farmers and ruralcommunities affected by renewable energy projects in NSW.
NSW Farmers Energy Transition Taskforce Chair Reg Kidd saidthe support had come at a critical time for regional NSW as renewable energy projectscontinued to be approved at a rapid pace.
“It’s good to see the government recognise the need for afair, independent and effective avenue for rural families and farmers toaddress their issues with renewable developers, so we can get the right thingin the right place, built in the right way,” Mr Kidd said.
“Listening to the community and getting them the support theyneed to navigate what has been an extremely stressful and confusing process isessential, and we thank the NSW Government for taking real action to addressthese issues.
“It’s our hope the Ombudsman can work through these complexand competing land use priorities and deliver better outcomes for farmers andcommunities throughout NSW.”
Preventing further pain caused by the renewable energytransition must be a priority for the NSW Government moving forward, Mr Kiddsaid, with many lessons to be learnt from communities already impacted by renewableenergy projects.
“We’ve seen what happens when there’s not support,consultation or meaningful engagement with the communities affected byrenewables projects, and it’s encouraging to see the state government try toright some of the past wrongs in this space,” Mr Kidd said.
“Systems must be in place to resolve the existing issueswith our energy transition and prevent them from ever happening again – and NSWFarmers stands ready to help make this happen.
“We need new sources of power for our growing population,but there’s no doubt we need land to grow that food and fibre that feeds ustoo.”
