Warrumbungle Shire Council leaders have called for the NSW government to pause decisions on projects in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

Over 20 people filled the public gallery at Dubbo Regional Council Chambers on 16 May for a parliamentary committee hearing on the zone's impacts on rural communities.

Senior council representatives urged for a REZ-wide cumulative impact assessment to be completed before individual projects are approved.

Council's environmental consultant, Adjunct Professor Warwick Giblin, said they also want to see measures to mitigate potential issues like heavier traffic.

"We wish to see these remedial, mitigative actions, especially on social matters, particularly the things that require additional resources like police, paramedics, doctors, nurses, hospital beds, mental health services," Prof. Giblin said.

"The NSW government clearly sees there is a need for this strategic cumulative impact assessment.

"That work has not been done, yet the government is determining these projects now, and in our view there is a material and significant procedural error in the state government's planning and assessment process."

A map of the Central-West Orana REZ. SOURCE: NSW government

Prof. Giblin also said there is a risk of a judicial review in the NSW Land and Environment Court if an assessment is not completed.

The NSW government chose the area for the REZ in 2018 and announced in April 2025 that construction would begin within months.

Construction includes over 200 kilometres of transmission lines to connect renewables projects in the area to the electricity grid.

The project also drew criticism from landholders at the hearing, who said consultation has been inadequate. 

Farmer Nigel Roberts owns a sheep stud about 40 kilometres southwest of Dunedoo, which borders two proposed renewable projects.

He says he's concerned about visual impact and liability insurance.

"What is to happen if a fire I'm responsible for burns out the $1.8 million worth of neighbouring infrastructure?" the fourth-generation farmer said.

"I'm still yet to receive an adequate answer on what is happening in this scenario.

"We're witnessing a common pattern.

"Each energy project seems manageable when assessed as a standalone project. However, they are not being assessed collectively, which is what our community requires."

Mr Roberts joined other landowners speaking at the hearing.

He says his family will leave the area if the projects are built.

Committee members also heard from emergency service VRA Rescue, which serves Narromine, Mendooran and Coolah.

The volunteer non-profit's director Peter Rothwell said increased traffic and service demand will make their job more difficult.

"The workforce in this area is set to explode, with many centres more than doubling their population," he said.

"The industrialisation of the region will put further strain on our members and organisation through the requirement of specialised training, including vertical rescue.

"Sadly, this will mean more accidents and a higher workload for our volunteers.

"It would seem little thought has been given to the impact on rural emergency services. "

The NSW government has so far greenlit ten renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and battery storage, to connect to the incoming transmission line.

They would be capable of powering 2.7 million homes in peak periods by 2031, according government figures.