Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWOREZ) Projects

A growing number of CWOREZ projects are unfolding within our local communities, community members are urged to keep up to date with them as they develop. 

“Council will continue to monitor the impact of these projects that are part of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ),” said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan. “Feedback on exhibited documents for a number of REZ related developments for wind and solar projects have recently been submitted. Looking directly into the stakeholder focused impact areas, these being governance, workers, community, environment and customers.” 

Recent submissions include, Council maintaining its objection to the Valley of the Winds Wind Farm Amendment Report due to the long-term impacts on local roads, social costs, and the cumulative impacts of this project alongside other REZ projects across the Shire.

Spicers Creek Wind Farm Submissions Report and Birriwa Solar Farm Amendment Report raised similar concerns surrounding the cumulative impacts along with very minimal details on the impacts to our local roads during this project; triggering Council to continue to maintain objections for these two projects.  

The EnergyCo Transmission Line Project EIS lacked critical details and information relating to the project, such as employment numbers, social impacts, community engagement, workforce accommodation, impacts to properties, biodiversity impacts, climate change adaptation, bushfire mitigation, flood impacts, cumulative impacts, traffic impacts and road upgrades; Council lodged an objection to the project based on the lack of information. 

On the home page of Council’s website there is a Banner called ‘Latest news from Council on Renewable Energy Zones (REZ)’ where community members can see the latest information on the REZ from the EngeryCo website and view the detailed submissions that Council have made regarding these projects. 

“There are currently 11 different renewable energy projects commencing across the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone which will impact our local government area all at different stages of the planning process all which Council has submitted different submissions for”, said Cr Doolan. 

“I would urge interested persons to take this opportunity familiarise themselves with these projects and keep up to date with information out on public exhibition allowing you to have a say on these projects via Central-West Orana REZ website”, concluded Cr Doolan.

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Last Updated: 19 Feb 2024