Energy Bill strips country communities of their voice

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan said the Labor Government’s Energy Legislation Amendment (Prioritising Renewable Energy) Bill 2026 which passed the Lower House last week is a blatant attack country people by giving the Minister sweeping powers to fast-track renewable energy projects.

Mr Moylan spoke in the debate and voted against the Bill in Parliament last week.

“The Bill shifts power away from landholders, local councils and regional communities and places it in the hands of the Minister, making it easier for renewable and transmission projects to proceed despite the concerns of those whose land, livelihoods and property values may be directly affected,” he said.

“What makes this even more concerning is that the Government knows these impacts exist. EnergyCo has acknowledged the pressures renewable energy developments place on water resources, housing, workforce accommodation, roads, waste management and local infrastructure across regional NSW.

“Rather than working with communities, councils and landholders to address these challenges and develop practical solutions, Labor has chosen to legislate its way around them. Instead of fixing the problems, the NSW Government is giving the Minister greater powers to push projects through while sidelining legitimate concerns.”

Mr Moylan said the Bill centralises decision making in Macquarie Street and those who will bear the impacts of renewable energy zones will not have a say.

“Those of us who live in regional communities are not asking for special treatment, we are just asking for fairness,” he said.

“Those of us who proudly live in regional NSW should not be expected to simply accept decisions handed down from Sydney.

“Communities deserve respect, transparency and a meaningful role in the planning process.

“This Bill delivers the opposite, which is why I strongly opposed it and will continue to do so.”

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