Uralla Shire Council has joined a growing call for more time to read the environmental impact statement for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project, warning that 28 days is not enough.
Council has formally written to NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, asking for the exhibition period to be extended by at least four weeks. It would prefer it to run until 31 December.
The aim is to give affected communities, landholders, businesses, and local government authorities enough time to assess the proposal and prepare informed submissions.
Mayor Robert Bell said the scale and significance of the project warranted a more substantial consultation period.
“This is one of the most significant infrastructure projects proposed for our region in decades, and it will have lasting impacts on local communities, landholders and the broader landscape,” he said.
“The Environmental Impact Statement comprises a vast amount of highly technical information covering matters such as biodiversity, agriculture, heritage, visual impacts, traffic, noise, social impacts and economic impacts,” Mayor Bell said.
“Expecting community members and councils to properly review that material and prepare considered submissions within 28 days is simply unrealistic.”
The 28-day period is the standard for all planning projects. But calls for more time are coming from several directions across the region.
The usual agitators were the first to ask for more time. Anna Young of Walcha High Country Guardians told ACM the group wrote to the planning minister asking for an extension before the EIS was released, and that request was rejected. Walcha Deputy Mayor Rachel Greig, who also speaks for Voice for Walcha, told The Land that 28 days to respond was “offensive”.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland said he had not yet discussed the matter with the team, but was of the same mind.
“Personally I think 30 days is too short for an infrastructure build that’s going to impact this region for decades,” Mayor Coupland said.
Uralla Shire Council acknowledged the importance of the project to New South Wales’ future energy network but said community participation must remain a priority throughout the assessment process.
“Many of the people most affected by the project are rural landholders and residents who need time to understand the proposal, seek independent advice and consider what it may mean for their properties, businesses and communities,” Mayor Bell said.
“Meaningful community consultation is a fundamental part of good planning. Extending the exhibition period would improve the quality of feedback received, strengthen confidence in the assessment process and help ensure that important local knowledge is not overlooked.”
Mayor Bell said Council’s request was about ensuring the planning process remains transparent, accessible and fair.
“Projects of this scale deserve a consultation process that matches their significance,” Mayor Bell said.
“Taking additional time now to properly consider community feedback will lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.”
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure did not answer questions about whether the period would be extended.
“The Department encourages the community to lodge a submission before the exhibition closes on 12 November,” a spokesperson said.
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