The energy landscape is transitioning from a system dominated by coal-fired power stations to a greater mix of renewable energy. To facilitate a strategic transition, the NSW Government developed the Electricity Strategy and Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. These documents set out the plan to help replace the State’s aging power stations with Renewable Energy Zones.
Renewable Energy Zones will connect multiple renewable energy generators and storage, like The Plains Renewable Energy Park, capitalising on economies of scale to deliver cheap, reliable and clean electricity for homes and businesses in NSW.
The proposed infrastructure includes:
Wind turbine generators
Solar arrays
Energy storage system
Ancillary and supporting infrastructure
Read our article: How does a wind turbines work?
Read our article: How does solar power work?
Stakeholder and community consultation will occur across all stages of the development proposal.
With the project in its early stages, we will be asking the community for feedback on local values, future community engagement activities and project benefits. The information provided will be used to inform the design and benefits of the project.
As part of the planning approval process, there will also be opportunities to provide formal feedback.
The proposed development of The Plains Renewable Energy Park will provide a range of direct and indirect economic benefits, including:
increased local employment and contractor opportunities during construction and the operation of The Plains
increased spending and activity in the local economy
supporting the transition to cleaner and cheaper energy for Australian households and businesses.
A number of studies have been undertaken both within Australia and overseas, into the impact of renewable developments on nearby property values.
In 2016, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage commissioned a report into the potential impact of wind farms on property values. The report concluded that across the case studies reviewed in NSW and VIC, there was no evidence of negative impacts on property values. Furthermore, the resale values of all the properties examined in the report experienced capital growth in line with the property market trends.
In another study completed in 2013, national property consultants Preston Rowe Paterson conducted an assessment of the impact of wind farms on surrounding land values in Australia, and similarly concluded that there was no ‘quantifiable effect on land values’.
It is important to note many factors influence land and property prices. Supply and demand, proximity to amenities and infrastructure, housing affordability and the desirability of the location can all have an impact.