Edward River Council Welcomes Landmark Renewable Energy Projects

Published on 16 May 2025

Edward River Council (ERC) is supportive of the recent granting of access rights to four major renewable energy projects within the South West Renewable Energy Zone (SW REZ) and anticipates working closely with the successful projects to ensure Edward River enjoys the full spectrum of economic benefits the energy projects will bring.

These projects, which include wind, solar, and large-scale battery installations, represent a significant step forward in ensuring a sustainable energy future for New South Wales (NSW).

EnergyCo has awarded access rights to Origin Energy’s Yanco Delta Wind Farm, Spark Renewables' Dinawan Energy Hub, Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park, and BayWA’s Bullawah Wind Farm. Together, these projects boast a combined generation capacity of 3.56 gigawatts, enough to power more than 1.6 million homes annually.

Each of the projects reach into the north region of Edward River Council, as well as into neighbouring councils.

EnergyCo will run community drop-in sessions in Hay, Coleambally and Jerilderie at the end of this month, within close proximity to the project sites. They will also run a business roadshow on 29 May at the Deniliquin Golf Course where local businesses can learn more about the opportunities that these projects will bring and how to become involved.

More details of the community drop-in sessions and the business roadshow can be found on EnergyCo’s website: https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/our-projects/south-west-rez

With all projects being required by the energy regulator to amend their project scopes to some degree, it will be some time before finalised details of the four projects are released.

ERC will endeavour to keep residents well informed as they progress through negotiations and receive finalised planning information from the energy projects.

ERC will also run local information sessions to help address shared concerns and keep the community up-to-date; these sessions will occur in the coming months.

ERC CEO Jack Bond and ERC Mayor Ashley Hall have expressed their optimism about the long-term benefits these projects will bring to local workers, communities, and electricity consumers.

Jack Bond stated: "We, at Edward River Council, welcome the opportunities and potential that the recent EnergyCo access rights announcements for projects in the South West Renewable Energy Zone will deliver for our communities.”

“It is still early days in the planning of these large-scale projects, and we are now preparing to further engage and negotiate with all four successful developers. Those living in impacted areas will be consulted throughout to ensure their voices are heard and acted upon,” said Mr Bond.

Edward River Council will undertake community consultation sessions, and we’ll keep the community posted on when these will take place.” Said Mr Bond.

Mayor Ashley Hall added: "Council will work with the project developers to safeguard the future of the project areas and ensure that our communities can benefit from the economic growth that these renewable energy projects will drive, both in the short-term and into the future.”

The NSW Government has legislated funding for community and employment purposes in declared REZs. The Community and Employment Benefit Program is funded by access rights holders through access fees.

Edward River Council looks forward to the positive impact these projects will have on our region and remains committed to supporting sustainable development and community engagement.

For any questions regarding the announcement and decision-making process, community members are encouraged to contact EnergyCo directly:

• Email: south.west.community@energyco.nsw.gov.au

• Phone: 1800 359 545

Further information about the South West Renewable Energy Zone can be found on the EnergyCo website at https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/our-projects/south-west-rez
Community members can also sign up for the community newsletter at https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/contact.

To register for the business roadshow session on 29 May in Deniliquin, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/south-west-major-projects-business-roadshow-tickets-1349398068949

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