NSW Parliament Addresses Regional Renewable Energy Rollout and Advances Key Crimes Bills

Parliamentary Session Focuses on Energy and Justice

The New South Wales Parliament held a significant session on October 23, 2025, with debates centering on the contentious rollout of renewable energy projects across regional areas and the progression of several crucial Crimes Amendment Bills. The Legislative Council specifically addressed the 'Rollout of renewable energy projects in regional New South Wales' as a Matter of Public Importance, concluding its discussion on the same day.

Renewable Energy Rollout Under Scrutiny

The debate on renewable energy projects highlighted ongoing concerns from rural and regional communities regarding their implementation. The Country Women's Association (CWA) of NSW, on the same day, hosted an online forum titled 'Regional Voices for a Renewable Future' to amplify these community voices. Speakers at the forum included Tanya Jolly, President of the CWA of NSW, Emma Webb from the Binalong-Bowning Community Action Group, Emma Bowman, a farmer advocating for landholders affected by the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, and Reg Kidd, Chair of the NSW Farmers Energy Transition Taskforce.

The CWA emphasized that communities often feel 'excluded and ignored' and possess 'genuine questions and concerns' regarding the local impacts of these projects, encompassing issues of safety, insurance, and environmental, social, and economic consequences. This comes as the Minns Labor Government recently approved the $1.2 billion Richmond Valley Solar Farm near Rappville in the Northern Rivers, a project anticipated to power approximately 175,000 homes and generate jobs. This marks the 14th solar farm and 21st renewable energy generation project approved under the current government. New South Wales aims to achieve 16 GW of new renewable generation by 2030.

A parliamentary inquiry into the 'Impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) on rural and regional communities and industries in New South Wales' is also ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for October 29, 2025. Reports indicate that the cost of building the state's first Renewable Energy Zone, the Central West Orana REZ, has reportedly escalated to eight times the original estimate, potentially leading to higher power bills.

Progress on Crimes Amendment Bills

The parliamentary session also saw significant movement on several pieces of crime legislation. The Crimes Amendment (Animal Sexual Abuse) Bill 2025 was returned without amendment by the Legislative Assembly to the Legislative Council, indicating its successful passage. In the Legislative Assembly, the Crimes Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill saw a resumption of its adjourned debate.

Furthermore, the Legislative Council introduced two new bills: the Criminal Assets Recovery Amendment (Organised Crime Reforms) Bill 2025 and the Criminal Procedure and Other Legislation Amendment (Criminal Proceedings) Bill 2025. Both bills were read for the first time, with their second reading debates adjourned for five calendar days. These legislative actions underscore the government's ongoing efforts to update and strengthen the state's criminal justice framework.