WEEKEND LONG READ: New England was promised worker housing that would stay behind as homes. The REZ EIS delivers 2,060 beds in five temporary camps on paddocks a long way from anywhere.
EnergyCo
Posted inArmidale, Armidale Regional, Energy, New England Surrounds, News, NSW News, Water
Why can’t we get this done? Oven Mountain latest renewable project to falter
The latest announcement of a renewable project to fail is the one that no one expected. Questions are being asked about whether the NSW Government is to blame, or if there is a bigger problem about how we do large infrastructure in this country.
Posted inEnergy, Hunter, Niangala, Regional Development, Tamworth
Tiny village of Rouchel faces biggest visual impact from REZ transmission line
The Rouchel Uniting Church is one of four places rated high for visual impact from the New England REZ transmission line. Here is what the EIS says about noise and views.
Posted inEnergy, Environment, Hunter, Long Read, Nundle, Walcha
The REZ environmental damage the law allows
WEEKEND LONG READ: More than 3,200 hectares of native vegetation will go for the New England REZ transmission line, including 147 hectares of critically endangered New England Peppermint grassy woodland. And they’re allowed to do it because the law gives them a “free kick” as a state significant project.
Posted inEnergy, Environment, Local News, NSW Politics
It’s out: the 889 page New England REZ transmission line EIS
The New England transmission line EIS is 889 pages long. You don’t have to read it all – here’s where to find the maps, summaries, and sessions throughout the region before submissions close on Thursday, 12 November.
Posted inAccidents and road closures, Moonbi, Uralla
New England Highway to close for giant transformer Friday
A 402-tonne load, 72 metres long, is about to crawl over the Moonbi Range. Here’s when the New England Highway will close on Friday, and where to watch it roll into Uralla.
Posted inArmidale, Energy, Walcha
Origin walks away from Skye Ridge wind farm near Walcha
Origin has walked away from its 870MW Skye Ridge wind farm near Walcha, effective immediately, to double down on its Northern Tablelands project west of Armidale. But the move was no surprise.
Posted inArmidale, Energy, Local politics and councils, Long Read, NSW Politics, Regional Development, Water
No water, no REZ: how Armidale is using the REZ as leverage to fix a decade-old problem
WEEKEND LONG READ: There’s an $800m price tag on getting water security for Armidale and Uralla, and ratepayers don’t have it Now the state wants a $24 billion energy zone built here, and Mayor Sam Coupland is using that need as leverage: no water, no REZ.
Posted inEnergy, Uralla
Uralla council calls for stronger local voice in REZ rollout
Uralla Shire Council says it backs the New England renewable zone, but wants a real seat at the table before more substations and transmission lines are locked into law.
Posted inEnergy, Local News, NSW Politics
New England REZ rollout caused ‘avoidable harm’
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has found the New England REZ rollout caused “avoidable harm” due to a lack of a coherent, enforceable, whole-of-government planning framework.