Report reveals reset needed on renewables 

Poor consultation and planning is likely to deepen the divide between politicians and people unless urgently addressed, NSW Farmers says.

Agriculture Commissioner Daryl Quinlivan conceded there was significant community unrest in his second report – recently released by the NSW Government – but said renewable energy developments must proceed regardless.

NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said farmers and country communities were being sacrificed in the energy transition.

“We grow the food and fibre to feed and clothe people, and now we’re told we need to generate power as well!” Mrs Reardon said.

“It beggars belief that the state government has caused this problem and is choosing to simply push ahead without workable solutions.

“This underscores the need for a truly independent, statutory Agriculture Commission with oversight of productivity, agricultural land use, and natural resource management to urgently get the state’s planning system fit for purpose.”

At a recent election debate hosted by NSW Farmers in Muswellbrook, Regional Transport Minister Sam Farraway conceded there were shortcomings when it came to understanding the community impact of a major renewable project at Dunedoo, which will see the town of Merriwa subjected to significant traffic and disruption throughout the construction phase. And on Wednesday night, angry farmers protested in Wagga Wagga over proposed solar developments and overhead transmission lines, which brought higher bushfire risks to a community still recovering from Black Summer.

“The commissioner has been diligent in pulling this work together, but decision makers appear happy to mop up their mess rather than prevent it in the first place,” Mrs Reardon said.

“The anger in country communities is growing, and while the Agriculture Commissioner has some good ideas they don’t address the root cause of the problem: A careless disregard for the bush.

“An effective planning strategy balancing agricultural production with a growing list of other land uses will be the most important legacy any state government can leave for agriculture and our nation’s food security.”