Voice for Walcha

01/06/2026

EnergyCo are ploughing on with the (estimated) $10-20B New England REZ, despite clear signals that generation developers are leaving the REZ. It is only the unfunded speculators that remain.

Should they reassess? Of course they should. Will they? Not according to deputy Director of NE REZ Julian Watson - in a recent response to V4W.

"New England REZ network infrastructure is being planned based on the overall network capacity required to be delivered rather than specific updates from individual projects."

In other words, if there is NO generator interest, NO developers, NO hope of a project, then EnergyCo will still go ahead and develop this REZ to 8GW transmission capacity - coz that's my job!

This highlights the blind arrogance of EnergyCo ploughing ahead, despite no projects. This cost added to all NSW power bills, with no assurance of power generation from the New England.
Penny Sharpe MLC Chris Minns , this is wastefull, reckless and needs intervention.

28/05/2026

26/05/2026

MEDIA RELEASE
26 MAY 2026

Communities call on Premier Chris Minns to intervene after consultation descends into Trespass Allegations, Police Reports and Claims of Misconduct.

See link for full media release...

https://voiceforwalcha.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/MR-Joint-Enco-26-5-26.pdf

24/05/2026

Can we have some transparency EnergyCo?

Who is advising you on our future?

Walcha Energy. Remember them?

The company whose grand plans for an energy empire - "The Walcha Energy Project" - with 4GW of generation centred on Walcha, are the reason we have the biggest, most concentrated REZ infrastructure in New South Wales sitting on our doorstep.

Here is where those plans are now.

Winterbourne Wind Farm - SOLD - Stalled in planning.
Ruby Hills - SOLD - Going nowhere.
Brackendale North - CANCELLED.
Brackendale South - CANCELLED.
Tia Wind Farm - CANCELLED.
Kangaroo Hills - CANCELLED.
Salisbury East Solar - WITHDRAWN.
Salisbury West Solar - WITHDRAWN.
Salisbury BESS - WITHDRAWN.
Woolbrook Wind Farm - CANCELLED.
St Leonards Wind Farm - CANCELLED.

Eleven projects. Two sold off to others and stalled. Nine gone entirely.

Yet Walcha Energy’s principal is back at the table talking to EnergyCo about the transmission corridor. And EnergyCo is listening.

This is the company whose abandoned ambitions shaped an infrastructure design now being imposed on our community. They won't engage with the people most affected. But they will talk to EnergyCo - privately, without transparency, without accountability.

This is what is wrong with the planning system for renewable energy in NSW. Private developers make grand promises to government bodies behind closed doors. Those promises shape billion dollar infrastructure decisions affecting thousands of people. The projects disappear. The infrastructure remains. And the community - the people who actually live here - are left with the consequences, and no seat at the table. Not to mention every resident of NSW funding this folley in their energy bills and taxes.

EnergyCo talks about community engagement and transparency. This is neither.

19/05/2026

Chris Ulman blasts the failing New England REZ - After a visit to Walcha and a weekend with locals and experts - it is clear to anyone who knows their stuff, that the New England REZ is broken.

Sky News host Peta Credlin says the war on death taxes and entrepre...

19/05/2026

Chris Ulman blasts the failing New England REZ - After a visit to Walcha and a weekend with locals and experts - it's clear to anyone who knows their stuff, that the New England REZ is broken.

Skip to 8:00 to hear the Walcha/REZ commentary.

12/05/2026

This Sunday, 17 May at 4:30pm, at Walcha Bowling Club, we’re co-hosting a session with Aiden Morrison and John Anderson to dive deep into the economic side of renewable energy. This isn't just about "green" vs "coal"—it's about the bottom line for our community and our country.

We encourage everyone to attend with an open mind. Questions are welcome.

Let’s get the facts, ask the questions, and discuss it over a meal at the Bowlo afterwards.
highcountryguardians
Walcha High Country Guardians

05/05/2026

WHERE TO NOW FOR THE NEW ENGLAND REZ?

SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2026 | 4:30PM
WALCHA BOWLING CLUB

Guest Speaker: Aiden Morrison

The Economics, Engineering and Energy Policy challenges - a lot is changing.

Unsure about the New England REZ?

Sitting on the fence?

Get informed, get engaged, join the conversation.

The big picture and the local picture.

Engaging and sought-after national speaker – a rare opportunity to hear Aiden speak in Walcha in a 45 min presentation + Q&A.

Dinner will be available (for purchase) following the event.

Submit your questions to Aiden in advance, or ask on the night. Email your questions to
[email protected]
or
[email protected]

Challenge yourself - Challenge the experts

All welcome | No pressure | Just information

Aidan Morrison is the Director of Energy at the Centre for Independent Studies. Prior to joining CIS, he worked as a data scientist and software developer, with experience building modelling tools for industries including finance and energy. Originally qualified in physics, he has also been an entrepreneur, working on projects spanning defence, hospitality, and tech. He rose to prominence in 2023
following a viral thread on Twitter/X, which exposed the CSIRO's GenCost report for treating firming costs for renewable energy as 'sunk'. Their research and expertise is heavily cited in regulatory consultations and parliamentary
inquiries. Aidan contributes to regular opinion columns and he is a frequent commentator on Sky News and 2GB radio.

30/01/2026

https://voiceforwalcha.com/energyco-key-issues-jan-2026/

Please take a few minutes to read this summary of issues from the recently released Enco cumulative report. Enco KeyIssues Jan 2026 We are encouraging people to write email to the following people detailing any objections and requesting urgent action to reduce the size of the New England REZ to 3GW....

29/01/2026

Reduce the New England REZ to 3.5GW and we do not need new transmission lines.

The following figure is from the EnergyCo commissioned Waste and Circular Economy report for the New England REZ

It shows the ‘baseline’ waste in grey – this is the waste generated by the entire study area – Armidale, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Muswellbrook, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Upper Hunter, Uralla, and Walcha local government areas.
This baseline waste is projected to be approximately 125,000 tonnes in 2030.

In the same year, the projected waste that will be generated by the construction of the New England REZ transmission lines is approximately 170,000 tonnes, or 1279 tonnes per km.

Add to this the following two qualifying statements from the report –

“The amount and types of waste generated from high-voltage transmission line projects were calculated
using average reported values from two representative project EISs.”

“Waste volumes vary significantly depending on terrain, vegetation cover, and project design.
Transmission corridors that traverse forested areas will generate substantial vegetation waste, while
projects in hilly terrain may require extensive cut-and-fill earthworks, increasing spoil volumes.”

This transmission project is a mess. Reduce the New England REZ to 3.5GW and we do not need new transmission lines.

Sign the petition to have the New England Transmission line debated in parliament.

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/pages/epetition-details.aspx?q=jz_sF2FRsWHj_36lRBvdcw