NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today indicated his strong support for the renewable energy sector and the development of renewables projects in the electorate.
Mr Marshall said the region held huge potential and many opportunities for the construction of renewable energy projects, which were already beginning to be realised.
“Renewable energy has enormous potential for development in the Northern Tablelands and this has already been recognised by a number of companies and by the State Government,” Mr Marshall said.
“There are enormous obvious environmental benefits for our region with expanding the renewables sector and importantly some huge economic gains as well – millions of dollars of investment, job opportunities and diversification of our local economy.”
“This is why the Zero Net Energy Town (ZNET) pilot at Uralla is so exciting for our region. We are attempting to create an Australian-first – generating 100 per cent of the community’s energy needs from renewable sources.
“The project has overwhelming support in the community and council, is progressing very well, and is being backed financially by the State Government.”
Mr Marshall pointed to the Moree Solar Farm and the Glen Innes White Rock Windfarm projects as tangible examples of progress being made in the region by the renewables sector.
“It is vital that governments continue to support the development of these and other projects,” he said.
“I realise people have varying views on aspects of some renewable technologies and projects, but I can also see the huge benefits these sort of projects can bring to our region.”
Next week Mr Marshall will be speaking at the launch of an exciting new national wind monitoring program for community windfarms, which will begin in the Northern Tablelands, involving the use of a new state-of-the-art SODAR wind monitoring unit.
“New England Wind has been funded by the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage to undertake a year-long program of wind monitoring of possible sites for a community Windfarm in our region,” Mr Marshall said.
“We will be the first region to make use of the unit and at the beginning of what is likely to be a 10-year program supporting projects right across the country.”