NSW Farmers has welcomed news that independent advice and dispute resolution services will soon be available to farming families directly impacted by the state’s renewable energy transition.

Last week the NSW Government announced $1.3 million in funding had been awarded to the Energy & Water Ombudsman to provide independent advice and dispute resolution services to farmers and rural communities affected by renewable energy projects in NSW.

NSW Farmers Energy Transition Taskforce Chair Reg Kidd said the support had come at a critical time for regional NSW as renewable energy projects continued to be approved at a rapid pace.

“It’s good to see the government recognise the need for a fair, independent and effective avenue for rural families and farmers to address their issues with renewable developers, so we can get the right thing in the right place, built in the right way,” Mr Kidd said.

“Listening to the community and getting them the support they need to navigate what has been an extremely stressful and confusing process is essential, and we thank the NSW Government for taking real action to address these issues.

“It’s our hope the Ombudsman can work through these complex and competing land use priorities and deliver better outcomes for farmers and communities throughout NSW.”

Preventing further pain caused by the renewable energy transition must be a priority for the NSW Government moving forward, Mr Kidd said, with many lessons to be learnt from communities already impacted by renewable energy projects.

“We’ve seen what happens when there’s not support, consultation or meaningful engagement with the communities affected by renewable projects, and it’s encouraging to see the state government try to right some of the past wrongs in this space,” Mr Kidd said.

“Systems must be in place to resolve the existing issues with our energy transition and prevent them from ever happening again – and NSW Farmers stands ready to help make this happen.”

“We need new sources of power for our growing population, but there’s no doubt we need land to grow that food and fibre that feeds us too.”