Uralla Shire Council is calling on the NSW Government to extend the public exhibition period for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project, arguing that the current 28-day consultation period does not provide sufficient time for communities to properly review and respond to the extensive documentation.
The Council has formally written to NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, requesting that the exhibition period be extended by at least four weeks, and preferably until 31 December, to allow affected communities, landholders, businesses and local government authorities adequate opportunity 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,” Mayor Bell 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. Expecting community members and councils to properly review that material and prepare considered submissions within 28 days is simply unrealistic.”
Mayor Bell said extending the exhibition period would help ensure all stakeholders had a fair opportunity to participate in the planning 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.”
“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.”
The Council acknowledged the importance of the project to NSW’s future energy network but said that community participation must remain a priority throughout the assessment process.
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. Taking additional time now to properly consider community feedback will lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.”
The Council has encouraged the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to extend the exhibition period and provide affected stakeholders with sufficient time to review the documentation and make informed submissions.
