NSW Farmers has warned of a need for more accountability in compulsory land acquisition that it says will occur because of regional NSW’s move to renewable energy.

NSW Farmers Energy Transition Taskforce chair Reg Kidd said the organisation had been actively advocating to the NSW Government and EnergyCo on the issue of improving compulsory land acquisition and Just Terms Compensation. 

“The system at the moment is fundamentally flawed, it is completely ignorant of the needs of regional communities and agricultural production,” Mr Kidd said. 

The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) is the first REZ planned for New South Wales.

Solar farms are planned for Dubbo, Gilgandra, Gulgong and Dunedoo, with a wind farm planned for Gollan.

It is hoped to power 1.4 million homes when complete.

The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone. Image: Supplied.

“We’re seeing the acute problems with the energy transition and major road and rail projects right across the state, from the biosecurity impacts through to the limits placed on farming practices and the social upheaval for communities” Mr Kidd said. 

His comments come as the state government announced a review into improving compulsory land acquisition.

The NSW Government has begun public consultation on their review into improving compulsory land acquisition processes for communities impacted by state infrastructure or other public projects, delivering on a key election commitment.

In-person public consultation sessions will take place in centres like Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Parramatta and Wagga Wagga, with two online sessions also scheduled to take place in April.

NSW Farmers says it welcomes the state government’s review into improving compulsory land acquisition, which it says will be vital to improving the energy transition process. 

“Farmers and communities in the path of major power line projects and renewable energy developments had long complained their concerns were being ignored in the race to secure Australia’s future energy supply” Mr Kidd said. 

Consideration of measures to ensure genuine negotiations and outcomes, better coordination of multi-agency acquisitions, clarifying certain compensation provisions, and potential legislative amendments to clarify requirements were welcomed by NSW Farmers. 

Reg Kidd. Image: Farmers Magazine.

Mr Kidd said striking the right balance between the rights of landholders, the potential impact to agricultural productivity, and the need for new public infrastructure such as railway lines, roads or renewable energy projects was absolutely vital. 

“We’re looking at a future where we’ll need to feed and clothe more people but at the same time there’s the need to keep our state moving forward,” Mr Kidd said. 

“So, we’ve been saying don’t just get the planning right, but do it well, be a model citizen in dealing with the damage to people’s lives and livelihoods so they don’t wind up damaging families and communities or destroying our precious productive potential.” 

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said “Compulsory acquisitions are necessary at times to allow state infrastructure and other public projects to proceed for the benefit of the wider community, such as schools, roads, water and electricity infrastructure projects.

“However, there are opportunities to improve processes which are being explored by this review to help landowners negotiate more effectively on their compensation."

Landowners and other stakeholders have until Friday 3 May to fill in a survey or make a submission to the Inquiry. Click here to have your say.