Working with the community - New England Renewable Energy Zone

We are committed to working closely with landowners and the community as we design the New England REZ. Local community input is important and helps to ensure our planning for the project balances project objectives with community needs and priorities.

We understand different communication methods suit different people, which is why we use a range of channels to engage with communities, including:

• Regular e-newsletters - email [email protected] to sign up
• Pop-up information stalls and community information sessions in the region
• Hardcopy project updates delivered to letterboxes in the project area
• A dedicated phone number and email address
• Surveys

We’ve established two community reference groups (CRG) for the New England REZ to provide an open forum of discussion between EnergyCo, the community and key stakeholders:

• The north community reference group represents communities within the REZ
• The south community reference group represents communities between the REZ and Bayswater in the south, near Muswellbrook

Meetings will be held quarterly and are facilitated by Independent Chair Margaret Harvie. 

Recruitment for the 2025-2026 community reference groups took place in late 2024 following an expressions of interest period throughout September, October and November.