A timely renewable energy transition requires coordinated investment in enabling infrastructure including housing, roads, water, waste services, and in supporting local government capacity to assist to deliver these outcomes in ways that benefit local communities. This submission outlines areas where RE-Alliance believes the Audit Office of NSW (Audit Office) should examine whether NSW Government governance, planning and implementation arrangements translate identified community needs into funded, timely and accountable action. It highlights unclear responsibilities, gaps in council support and insufficient follow-through from regional studies and consultation, alongside examples of effective planning and collaboration.
We recommend that the Audit Office examine whether NSW agencies have:
- Established accountable coordination, with clear responsibilities, information sharing and processes to resolve funding and delivery gaps.
- Adequately supported councils, through timely, flexible and sustained funding, including consideration of affected communities outside Renewable Energy Zones (REZs).
- Enabled meaningful community and First Nations participation in infrastructure planning and decisions.
- Converted cumulative-impact studies into costed, funded plans, with infrastructure ready when needed and clear responsibility for ongoing costs.
- Demonstrated delivery and corrected emerging problems, through public reporting, monitoring of community impacts and funded responses.
We note that in considering these issues, it is important that funding for enabling infrastructure and impact mitigation is considered separately from community benefits that support local aspirations.
In our view, the Audit should identify how government can better support regional communities while enabling timely delivery of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
Read more in our full submission.
