Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan said the New South Wales Government’s decision to allow just 29 days for residents, farmers and councils to review and respond to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the New England Renewable Energy Zone transmission project is completely inadequate and demonstrates, yet again, that regional communities are not being listened to.
Mr Moylan said local landholders, councils, community groups and residents are being asked to assess an enormous volume of highly technical information that could have lasting impacts on agricultural land, biodiversity, visual amenity, property access, local roads and the future of their communities.
“Yet they have been given less than a month to digest the material and prepare submissions,” Mr Moylan said.
“This is not genuine consultation. It is consultation on the Government’s terms.
“The Government regularly talks about social licence and community engagement, but actions speak louder than words.
“If the Government was serious about listening, it would provide communities with a reasonable amount of time to understand the proposal and make meaningful submissions.
“Instead, communities are once again left with the impression that decisions have already been made and consultation is simply a box ticking exercise.”
The transmission infrastructure proposed through the New England region will have consequences for decades, Mr Moylan added.
“Landholders deserve adequate time to understand how their properties may be affected,” he said.
“Councils deserve sufficient time to review the impacts on local infrastructure and planning. Residents deserve a genuine opportunity to have their voices heard.”
A New South Wales Coalition Government will scrap the proposed 500kV transmission lines and pursue a more responsible and sensible approach that better balances the state’s energy needs with the rights of regional communities and landholders.
“Regardless of people’s views on the project itself, those affected deserve a fair opportunity to scrutinise the proposal currently before them,” Mr Moylan said.
“If the project can withstand scrutiny, the Government should have no objection to extending the consultation period. In fact, a longer exhibition period would strengthen community confidence in the process and improve the quality of feedback received.”
This is becoming a familiar pattern from the Minns Government, according to Mr Moylan.
“Time and again, regional communities are promised consultation, only to be confronted with tight deadlines, complex documentation and planning processes that leave many feeling ignored,” he said.
“This rushed consultation period tells us everything we need to know about the Minns Government.
“It has no regard for genuine community engagement, no respect for the people who will be directly impacted, and no interest in listening when regional NSW speaks.
“The Government has lost control of its renewable energy agenda and is now trying to force infrastructure through before communities have had a fair chance to scrutinise plans.
“Regional NSW deserves far better than this arrogant, city centric approach.”
Media Release: Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan
