Thank you for your feedback and to everyone who took part in our recent community survey.
The survey is now closed, and we appreciate the time and insights shared by community members across the region. We received 532 responses.
Feedback from the survey will help inform the Social Impact Assessment, which is a key part of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This will ensure the assessment reflects the experiences, values and concerns of local communities.
Keeping you informed
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 - sign up here.
- 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
Upcoming events

We attend regular community events across the region so you can speak to the team, ask questions and provide feedback.
Upcoming events you can find us at include
Aberdeen Highland Games - Aberdeen
- Saturday 5 July, 8am - 4.30pm
Armidale Markets in the Mall - Beardy Street Mall
- Saturday 27 July, 8am - 1pm
Peel Street Markets - Tamworth
- Sunday 17 August, 8am - 1pm
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming events:
New England REZ community reference group
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.
Learn more about the North and South community reference groups
The North community reference group represents communities inside the renewable energy zone boundary and includes the following members:
Name | Organisation | Contact |
---|---|---|
Lyndon Strong | Armidale Local Aboriginal Land Council | [email protected] |
Councillor Dorothy Robinson | Armidale Regional Council | [email protected] |
Alex Hunter | Community representative | [email protected] |
Annette Kilarr | Community representative | [email protected] |
Bruce McMullen | Community representative | [email protected] |
Diane Gray | Community representative | [email protected] |
James Reilly | Community representative | [email protected] |
Tony Lashlie | Community representative | [email protected] |
Elena Weatherall | Glen Innes Local Aboriginal Land Council | [email protected] |
Mayor Margot Davis | Glen Innes Severn Council | [email protected] |
Pauline Ale | Guyra Local Aboriginal Land Council | [email protected] |
Mayor Kate Dight | Inverell Shire Council | [email protected] |
Councillor Sarah Burrows | Uralla Shire Council | [email protected] |
Damien Timbs | Voice for Walcha | [email protected] |
Councillor Rachel Greig | Walcha Council | [email protected] |
Documents
The South community reference group represents communities between the renewable energy zone and Bayswater in the south, near Muswellbrook and includes the following members:
Name | Organisation | |
---|---|---|
Brigitte Thomas | Community representative | [email protected] |
Kate Whitehead | Community representative | [email protected] |
Linda Taylor | Community representative | [email protected] |
Ninna Douglas | Community representative | [email protected] |
Robert Warren | Community representative | [email protected] |
Mayor Jeff Drayton | Muswellbrook Shire Council | [email protected] |
Noel Downs | Nungaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council | [email protected] |
Mayor Russell Webb | Tamworth Regional Council | [email protected] |
Councillor Adam Williamson | Upper Hunter Shire Council | [email protected] |
Tim White | Valley Alliance | [email protected] |
De-Anne Douglas | Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council | [email protected] |
Documents
- Terms of reference
- 28 January 2025 - Meeting notes
- 28 January 2025 - Presentation
- 30 April 2025 - Meeting notes
- 30 April 2025 - Presentation
Get qualified, confidential support
Call 1300 089 551 to speak to qualified psychologists and social workers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need a referral.
This service is available to property owners, their families, tenants, commercial property and business owners, and employees directly affected by property acquisition and other EnergyCo property discussions, like access agreements.