Energy, Mining and the Renewables rollout were a major focus of the NSW Farmers Annual Conference in Sydney on July 23 and NSW Minister for the Environment and Energy Penny Sharpe talked to members about the areas affecting Western Plains.

Farmers offered up questions before Trangie's Peter Wilson, Treasurer of NSW Farmers, dropped the nuclear question on the Minister.

He asked if the NSW Government had considered Nuclear as an alternative source following a campaign by the federal Nationals in the last campaign.

‘’There is no appetite for nuclear not anytime soon, the removal of a ban on Nuclear won’t be removed soon, ‘’ she told the gathering.

Hannah McCaughey, CEO of the government's Energyco also fronted the conference.

She is charged with the big roll out of the Central West Renewable Energy Zone which includes major wind and solar projects.

McCaughey told the conference she was working with communities listening to farmers' concerns on transmission lines spreading through the plains and fears there wasn’t enough bush fire fighters if a blaze broke out in the solar and wind farms.

‘’We have regional funding to help and support councils in the roll out," she said.

She answered questions on the cumulative impacts on the communities in the Western Plains and said was aware of the worries especially solar panels and wind turbines from multiple projects travelling on roads.    

"Absolutely road transport is a key issue and we are looking at how your roads are being effected," she said.

A handbook produced by Narromine’s Karin Stark on renewable energy was delivered to farmers during the two-day conference explaining some of the benefits.

Brewarrina NSW Farmers branch Gerald Glover posed two motions wanting a better deal for graziers effected by opal mining which were adopted by conference delegates.

Mr Glover wants increased biosecurity compliance by the regulator on the miner, full enforcement of the Mining Act by the relevant department, as well as appropriate compensation for farmers.

His request included detailed and binding land access agreements with a focus on human and animal welfare and safety, and that NSW Farmers adopt a policy that all Opal mining be restricted to crown lands.

He was also successful on a proposal for New South Wales Farmers Association to have a dedicated officer/advocate embedded in the agricultural industry to help address individual landholder concerns and preserve social licence for all exploration and mining projects.