Renewables info sessions

They will also run a roadshow for potential suppliers on May 29 at the Deniliquin Golf Club, where local businesses can learn more about the opportunities that these projects will bring and how to become involved.

EnergyCo has awarded access rights to Origin Energy’s Yanco Delta Wind Farm, Spark Renewables' Dinawan Energy Hub, Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park, and BayWA’s Bullawah Wind Farm to be pursued on the South West Renewable Energy Zone.

Together, these projects boast a combined generation capacity of 3.56 gigawatts, enough to power more than 1.6 million homes annually.

Each of the projects reaches into the north region of Edward River Council, as well as into neighbouring councils.

Edward River Council says it is supporting of the granting of access rights to the four major renewable energy projects, and anticipates working closely with the successful projects to ensure Edward River enjoys the full spectrum of economic benefits the energy projects will bring.

With all projects being required by the energy regulator to amend their project scopes to some degree, it will be some time before finalised details of the four projects are released.

ERC will endeavour to keep residents well informed as they progress through negotiations and receive finalised planning information from the energy projects.

ERC will also run local information sessions to help address shared concerns and keep the community up-to-date. These sessions will occur in the coming months.

ERC CEO Jack Bond and Mayor Ashley Hall have expressed their optimism about the long-term benefits these projects will bring to local workers, communities, and electricity consumers.

"We at Edward River Council welcome the opportunities and potential that the recent EnergyCo access rights announcements for projects in the South West Renewable Energy Zone will deliver for our communities,“ Mr Bond said.

“It is still early days in the planning of these large-scale projects, and we are now preparing to further engage and negotiate with all four successful developers.

“Those living in impacted areas will be consulted throughout to ensure their voices are heard and acted upon.

“Edward River Council will undertake community consultation sessions, and we’ll keep the community posted on when these will take place.”

Cr Hall said council looks forward to the positive impact these projects will have on our region and remains committed to supporting sustainable development and community engagement.

"Council will work with the project developers to safeguard the future of the project areas and ensure that our communities can benefit from the economic growth that these renewable energy projects will drive, both in the short-term and into the future.“

The NSW Government has legislated funding for community and employment purposes in declared REZs.

The Community and Employment Benefit Program is funded by access rights holders through access fees.

For any questions regarding the announcement and decision-making process, community members are encouraged to contact EnergyCo directly on south.west.community@energyco.nsw.gov.au or 1800 359 545.

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.

The community drop-in sessions are as follows:

Hay - Tuesday, May 27, 3pm-6.30pm at the Hay Memorial Hall. Representatives of EnergyCo, Transgrid, Pottinger Wind Farm and Bullawah Wind Farm will be in attendance.

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

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

To register for the business roadshow session on May 29 in Deniliquin, go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/south-west-major-projects-business-roadshow-tickets.