Newsletter #22 - It’s a Spaghetti Western…
August 2025
I hope the season is going your way , wherever you may be. It looks like the south has had some much needed rain and crops are in the ground ..albeit very late.
There has been a lot going on since our last update. It’s been a story of the GOOD, The BAD and the very UGLY. Where is Clint Eastwood when we need him?
Here’s a quick update of what’s been going on:
THE GOOD
Parliamentary Inquiry into Renewables impact on Rural Communities: Valley Alliance President , Tim White, gave evidence to the parliamentary inquiry on the impact of transmission lines to our community in Armidale.
VA gave evidence at the same time as Voice for Walcha. It was a 45 minute session where we made a statement and then the Legislative council members present asked questions.The evidence was received well by most although it must be noted that the Labour reps on the panel seemed more interested in their mobile phones than asking questions about impacts to our communities. The Nats, Lib and SFF reps were very engaged.
Overall the overwhelming majority of the evidence given to the inquiry was that renewables are having a NEGATIVE impact on rural communities. Fears were raised by Mayors, community reps & academics presenting about the impacts to all aspects of community life. From roads, health, accommodation and public services to farming, mental health and visual impacts
NEXT STEP - The inquiry will release a report with recommendations. The State Government then has the opportunity to accept or ignore those recommendations.
Letter to Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC)- The IGCC is the representative body formed by 102 superannuation and investment funds. VA has written to the CEO Rebecca Mikula-Wright informing the group that investments made in renewable energy projects need to take into account the impacts on rural communities. If Investors continue to mindlessly invest in projects that show no respect for rural community wishes we will ask our members to move to funds that do respect our wishes !!
We will be writing to all 102 IGCC member funds to understand their stance on how their investments impact the communities that host projects. Not just the metro that are beneficiaries of the projects.
Underground Update - Syncline Energy CEO Phil Galloway met with some impacted Landholders in the Tamworth area. 100% support was given by Landholders for the technology , the project and the compensation plan.
Phil met with Kevin Anderson (Member for Tamworth), Brendan Moylan (Member for Northern Tablelands) , Barnaby Joyce (Member for New England (Federal)) & Tamworth Council. ALL MEETING WERE VERY POSITIVE
Next Step- Meeting with all New England & Hunter Councils
THE BAD
EnergyCo Update
Chaffey Dam HVTL Changes- VA refused a meeting with EC on the basis that EC asked us to suggest a new route. We will NOT help EC move the lines from one neighbour to the next. We want them out of the community completely or underground.
TSR update- NOTHING- EC continue to drag their feet on any real work on why they should not use the TSR
Social Impact Assessment (SIA)- VA has been in contact with Umwelt (consultant preparing the SIA for EC) . It looks like there has been a record number of submissions (THANKYOU!!) . There is meant to be a further round of face to face consultation but there has been no recent updates. We have offered our services to Umwelt and will keep you updated.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - Is due to be released in Q4 2025 . The SIA has not been completed nor are we aware of any studies (enviromental, geotech, first nations, Hydrological etc) being completed on our member properties. EC has gone quiet on the status of the EIS but it is clearly running behind schedule.
THE VERY UGLY
Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025- If you haven’t followed this - YOU SHOULD. The movement of this bill through the lower and upper house starting on 5 August should send a shiver up your spine about the state of democracy in NSW. WHY should you care?
The Bill gives EnergyCo INCREASED Powers to remove roadblocks to the transmission roll out. An example of this is DECREASED landholder property rights. Landholders are UNABLE to block project representatives from coming onto a property.
The Bill was pushed through both houses of Parliament in 2 days with the support of the LIBERAL party (who supported the bill on the basis of what they were told by the ALP ) . The Libs did not look into the impact of the bill on landholders. The lower house did see some objections to the bill (Kevin Andedrson, Brendan Moylan) BUT none ultimately voted against it. NATS leader Dugald Saunders did NOT raise an objection.
The Upper house saw a lot of debate . Ultimately losing the vote 20 For vs 18 Against with 2 abstaining. Mark Banasiak (SFF party) did a great job fighting this bill.
Valley Alliance wrote 41 letters to MLC reps objecting to the bill in the space of 24 hours.
MAIN POINTS -
The Libs were outsmarted as Penny Sharpe pushed the bill through.
The NATS objected but didnt have the numbers.
Wendy Tuckerman (LIB Member for Goulburn) resigned from the front bench in disgust at the way the LIBS handled this.
We have less rights as Landholders as a result
Coming UP
Agquip - ask a few questions - If you are going to Agquip this year and see a politician or NSW Farmer rep please make sure to ask them what they are doing about the transmission debacle. Questions we will be asking:
Why didnt the Nats vote against the bill in the lower house?
Where was Dugald Saunders ? No objection
Why are the LIBS not supporting the NATS?
What are NSW Farmers doing about the decrease of landholder rights?
Why are the NSW Farmers executive not following their members' wishes? Motions against renewables fully supported at the Annual conference yet the executive is seen to be supporting the roll out.
Media update .
Renewables Inquiry - Channel 7, Channel 9 & ABC
Supergroup radio interviews
Bruce Mountain on ABC talking undergrounding and power prices in general
Social Media - huge increase in followers . If you are not following us on facebook you should. You will see what we are up to and what other groups across the state are facing- we are definitely not alone.
AGM - 24 September 2025 at Nemingha Tavern - come along and get an update on our first year of objection and what you can expect in year 2 . It’s also a good opportunity to have a meal and catch up .
We are stronger together!