The NSW state government has announced plans to stimulate clean energy investment by fast-tracking wind farms, waiving infrastructure fees and parachuting in new environmental staff.
Projects need to get off the drawing board and onto the grid, premier Nathan Rees said.
Wind farms of at least 30 megawatts will be treated as critical infrastructure, with planning turned around within four months and fees waived. Previously projects needed to produce at least 250 Megawatts to be treated as critical.
“NSW is prepared to do the heavy lifting and help the nation meet the 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target by 2020,” Rees said.
The proposal comes after the announcement in February of a NSW Jobs Summit to establish Renewable Energy Precincts across the state.
The precincts are New England Tablelands, Upper Hunter, Central Tablelands, NSW and ACT border area, South Coast, and Cooma and Monaro.
There will be new environment staff for each precinct to drive our clean energy agenda and work with the community.
The government is consulting with the sector to explore ways to further improve the process for future projects.
“Precinct Advisory Committees in each of the six precincts will be established to provide us directly with advice … The Department of Environment and Climate Change will be responsible for the committees and they will include community members and representatives from Local Government,” Rees said.
