Three way partnership to secure landholder engagement in Central-West Orana REZ
NSW Farmers, EnergyCo, and ACEREZ have formalised a collaboration that aims to address landholder concerns during the Central-West Orana region’s transition to renewable energy.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been entered into between the state’s peak farming body NSW Farmers, EnergyCo the statutory authority responsible for leading delivery of REZs, and infrastructure consortium ACEREZ, will ensure NSW landholders have a greater voice in the development and operation of the Central-West Orana REZ.
The MOU sets out the development of codes of conduct for accessing properties that will host new energy infrastructure, ensuring clear communication and mutual understanding. The three organisations will work together to produce guidance material for landholders, outlining their rights and responsibilities during the construction and operation of transmission towers and lines.
As an early outcome of this partnership, a draft landholder guide was introduced at the NSW Farmers 2024 Annual Conference. The guide, which was prepared by NSW Farmers with support from EnergyCo, provides practical information and answers common questions from landholders. The guide will be updated regularly to reflect new information as the Central-West Orana REZ and other REZs across NSW continue to develop.
The MOU is expected to set a precedent for engaging with farmers and communities across all five REZs in NSW. Additional information and updates will be available through the EnergyCo website and its newsletter, where farmers can also register to receive updates.
James Hay, CEO of EnergyCo, highlighted the importance of considering farmers' concerns, noting that they often host essential infrastructure.
"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," Hay said.
Trevor Armstrong, CEO of ACEREZ, expressed the consortium's commitment to working with farmers and communities, saying, "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."
