!!!February 15, 2024
Locally owned and independent
The Northern Rivers Times
RURAL NEWS 35
The NFF Calls for Stronger Action on Community Engagement in Renewables Projects The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the release of the report on community engagement in renewables projects but has raised concerns that the report’s recommendations lack the necessary depth to address the widespread issues being experienced across Australia. NFF President David Jochinke acknowledged the efforts made by Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer to propose improvements in community engagement but emphasized that significant concerns remain. “The report’s findings confirm the existence of chronic issues, with a staggering 92% of respondents expressing dissatisfaction with the level of engagement from project developers,” stated Mr. Jochinke.
Additionally, the survey revealed that over 90% of people were dissatisfied with the information provided or with the resolution of their concerns, painting a grim picture of the current state of affairs. “While it is commendable that the report highlights areas
for improvement, it falls short in providing concrete solutions. Merely proposing the development of best practice guidelines and rating schemes is insufficient,” remarked Mr. Jochinke. He stressed the need for genuine, two-way engagement that
addresses concerns and goes beyond superficial interactions. The report’s suggestions for identifying preferred project locations and delineating ‘no-go’ zones are steps in the right direction but require strong leadership from the Government to be effective.
“The NFF advocates for enforceable obligations on energy proponents regarding engagement, compensation, and land access arrangements to minimize the impact on agricultural land,” said Mr. Jochinke. While acknowledging the recommendation to establish a developer
rating scheme, Mr. Jochinke emphasized the need for it to be a prerequisite for project approval or public funding. “Meaningful outcomes require a commitment to deliver on these recommendations. It’s time for the Government to enact the necessary structural and legislative changes to ensure that energy project developers respect communities and individual landholders,” concluded Mr. Jochinke. The NFF believes that striking a balance between meeting energy needs and protecting agricultural interests is achievable, but urgent action is needed to prevent further discord within communities due to a lack of social license.
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