One-stop renewable energy zone Roadshow connecting communities with information, opportunities and support

The NSW Government is continuing to provide local communities with information about what the renewable energy zone in the central west means for them.

At Community Roadshows planned between 11 - 15 August, residents will have the opportunity to access the latest information, discuss local jobs, business opportunities and benefits for communities, and speak directly with the people helping build NSW's energy future.

Hosted by EnergyCo, the Community Roadshows will bring government agencies, infrastructure providers and industry experts together in one place, across five locations.

Information will be organised around key community interests:

• Regional growth and opportunities: Jobs, business opportunities and community benefits for local communities
• Your property and land: What energy projects may mean for landholders and neighbours, including access, compensation and protections in place
• What’s being built: A clear overview and purpose of projects in the REZ and other infrastructure upgrades
• Looking after land and culture: How the environment is being protected and cultural heritage is respected.
• Your rights and support: Your rights, how you can be involved, and where to get help – including independent advice services.
• Understanding the planning process: How projects are independently assessed, the timeline for approvals, post-approval compliance and how to have your say through formal submissions.

Residents can drop in at any time during the sessions to speak directly with project representatives, to raise local issues, ask questions or get updates on work happening in their area.

Roadshow schedule

Coolah Central School Hall: Tuesday 11 August, 3pm – 6pm

Club Mudgee: Wednesday 12 August, 4pm – 7pm

Dubbo Western Plains Cultural Centre: Thursday 13 August, 4pm – 7pm

Dunedoo Jubilee Hall: Friday 14 August, 3pm – 6pm

Wellington Soldiers Club: Saturday 15 August, 9am – 11am

This event series follows more than 10,500 landholder interactions, 2,200 meetings with councils and community groups, 185 public information stands and the opening of a local Community Information Centre in Mudgee.

To find out more about the Community Roadshow, visit energyco.nsw.gov.au/roadshow

Quote attributable to EnergyCo Executive Director, Community and Land Outcomes Ash Albury

“The REZ is part of the wider upgrade of NSW’s electricity infrastructure needed to maintain reliable energy supply and keep the lights on, as ageing coal-fired power stations retire.

“Communities hosting this infrastructure are playing a vital role and we want to make it easy for people to find out what this means for them - from the opportunities available to the work in the pipeline - and get answers to any questions they may have.

“By bringing NSW Government agencies, industry and independent support services together in one place through this Community Roadshow, people can access clear, local information without having to navigate multiple organisations or processes.”

What is a renewable energy zone (REZ)?

REZs will group new wind and solar power generation into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across NSW.

Five zones have been identified and will keep electricity reliable as coal-fired power stations retire, by delivering large amounts of energy.

By concentrating renewable energy infrastructure within REZ's, the NSW Government can reduce the need for new transmission lines, minimise impacts on communities, and create stronger regional economies.

REZs will also help deliver lower wholesale electricity costs and place downward pressure on customer bills through increased competition.

What is the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone?

• The state’s first REZ is in the Central-West Orana region, centred by Dubbo and Dunedoo. It takes in Gulgong, Mudgee, Wellington, Gilgandra and other towns.
• Transmission lines for the Central-West Orana REZ will travel 240 kilometres. The easement will take in 0.04% of the total agricultural land in the four impacted local government areas.
• ACEREZ, a partnership of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy, was appointed network operator by EnergyCo to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the transmission network for the Central-West Orana REZ.