A NEW community group focused on protecting the New England Region from potentially harmful renewable energy projects is calling on the state government for greater transparency surrounding projects.
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Responsible Energy for New England (ReD4NE) was formed last month after several community meetings, in the hopes of advocating for equity when it comes to projects associated with the state government's push towards more renewable energy.
Now Red4NE is planning to push Northern Tablelands MP and Adam Marshall and Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson for a moratorium on state significant development.
"There's been a lot of angst across the New England about this process regarding renewable energy and the associated projects that those on Macquarie Street are forcing us into," ReD4NE deputy chairman and Walcha local Matt Macarthur-Onslow said.
"Out of that angst, our group was started because it seemed like there wasn't any real voice for people who could be impacted.
"There also seems to be a lot of unanswered questions regarding things like clean up, contamination and the legacy these things leave behind."
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NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said while hadn't heard from ReD4NE yet, he was open to discussions relating
"I've not heard from them, they've not reached out to me," Mr Marshall said.
"I know they have got big issues around Walcha with the Winterbourne wind project, but it's not in my patch so I'm not too familiar with it.
"If they do reach out to me, I will happily meet with them like I would do with anyone."
However, Mr Macarthur-Onslow said the Winterbourne project, which was purchased by Danish company Vestas from Walcha Energy in 2019 and is slated to begin construction in late 2022, was one of many projects the group would investigate.
"We are for anyone here in the New England to give them a bit of a voice, regardless of which project may be concerning them," he said.
"Whether it be wind, solar or otherwise, we are looking to create a united front for everybody in the New England when it comes to renewables.
"To me, all it seems like the state government has done is draw a circle around the Central West and the New England and say these are the renewable energy zones.
"You have to ask, is that planning?"
The NSW Government announced plans for the New England Renewable Energy Zone in July last year, in the hopes it could support the development of up to 8,000 megawatts of renewable generation capacity to help the state transition towards more renewable energy sources.
"The lack of transparency is exactly why we are calling on the NSW Government to put in place a moratorium on State Significant Renewal Energy Development, pending meaningful engagement on all of the issues landholders raise," Mr Macarthur-Onslow said.
The Land contacted Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson for comment.
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Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
