Landholders call for open forums

They will deliver more than 70 per cent of total renewable infrastructure in the South West Renewable Energy Zone.

The group, known as the Bundure Landholders Group, have welcomed the community drop-in sessions being held this week, but are calling for larger community meetings to follow.

They say the drop-in sessions don’t allow for community members to properly hear and consider the views of their neighbours on the projects proposed.

They fear this might give some community members the wrong impression about support for the projects.

Four projects have been given ‘right of access’ to continue planning for establishment in the South West REZ.

Origin’s Yanco Delta Wind Farm and Spark Renewable’s Dinawan Energy Hub (wind, solar and battery) will both be located close to Jerilderie.

The other two are Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park (wind and battery) and the Bullawah Wind Farm project proposed by BayWa r.e., which are both located between Deniliquin and Hay.

Speaking on behalf of the Bundure Landholder Group, Andrew Sleigh said the landholders feel an open forum discussion on the projects would be “more transparent”.

“Tensions are rising north of Jerilderie, particularly as the impacts of the renewable projects become more apparent,” Mr Sleigh said.

“Some landholders will be completely surrounded by the new developments, and they have some concerns about how their issues are being treated and disregarded by project proponents.

“A lot of the development is on land not occupied by the landowners.

“Some changes to the original development plans and approvals have raised further concerns for near neighbours.

“This includes the proposed establishment of a 700 person camp, now within 2km from their homes.

“And we truly believe the roads in the region are not suitable for the traffic we will expect from such developments.”

Ongoing concerns of the Bundure Landholders Group are reduced connectivity, loss of biodiversity, increased fire risk, increased road deterioration, neighbours security, increased insurance premiums, social, emotional mental health impacts together with the devaluation of neighbouring properties.

In addition, Mr Sleigh said the community benefit schemes that are attached to the renewable projects “have been misleading and disguising the severe impacts to our local area”.

Yanco Delta has already promised $5 million each to Murrumbidgee Council and Edward River Council if its project receives the remaining approvals and goes ahead.

The Murrumbidgee share has been earmarked for the development of a new Jerilderie medical centre.

Other community benefit schemes have not yet been publicly revealed.

“The Bundure Landholders Group are not opposed to community benefits within the town, but strongly encourage the community to gain a better understanding of the impacts these projects will have on the near neighbours and their businesses,” Mr Sleigh said.

“And they need to know that those people who live in immediate proximity to the developments are not being acknowledged as we feel we should be.

“For the amount of disruption these projects are causing our landscape and regional communities, surely we deserve a more coordinated approach to not only the renewable energy generation but its transportation.”

Research and planning for the local renewable energy projects have been ongoing for several years, as has the separate Transgrid overhead powerlines network, which will run from near Jerilderie to the Victorian border near Swan Hill.

Between them, the four South West REZ projects granted ‘right of access’ will see the construction of 693 wind turbines, the installation of 1.7 million solar modules and the provision of two battery storage systems with 300 megawatt and 400 megawatt capacities across the Murrumbidgee, Hay and Edward River council regions.

They will have a combined generation capacity of 3.56 gigawatts.

The REZ is expected to create more than 2800 jobs at the height of construction. This includes opportunities for about 265 apprentices.

EnergyCo executive director planning and communities Ash Albury said the drop-in sessions, and the major projects roadway intended for businesses to learn about work and partnership opportunities, are your opportunity to learn more.

Hay’s community drop-in session was held yesterday, with Colemablly’s to be held today and Jerilderie tomorrow.

Major projects roadshow sessions will be held in Hay today, Deniliquin tomorrow and Griffith on Friday.

“We encourage local businesses to register for the roadshow and make the most of the vast investment coming to the region,’ Mr Albury said.

“Businesses can learn about the range of work packages and services required to deliver the South West Renewable Energy Zone, from enabling works to fencing, civil and structural engineering to plant and equipment supply, to construction of worker accommodation and laundry services.

“The transition to clean, reliable energy is taking shape in the South West REZ.

“We are excited to be working with our project partners to update local communities and businesses on the range of opportunities that the REZ will deliver.”

Details of the remaining community drop-in sessions are as follows:

• Coleambally - today, May 28, 3pm-6.30pm at the Coleambally Community Hall. Representatives of EnergyCo, Transgrid, Bullawah Wind Farm, Yanco Delta Wind Farm and Dinawan Energy Hub will be in attendance.

• Jerilderie - tomorrow, May 29, 3pm-6.30pm at the Jerilderie Civic Centre’s Ian Gilbert Room. Representatives of EnergyCo, Transgrid, Yanco Delta Wind Farm, Dinawan Energy Hub and Bullawah Wind Farm will be in attendance.

Local businesses interested in attending the roadshow are asked to register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/south-west-major-projects-business-roadshow-tickets.

Further information about the South West Renewable Energy Zone can be found at https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/our-projects/south-west-rez. You can also sign up for the regular community newsletters on this page.