From housing to waste, New England forum tackles the practical side of renewable growth
A two-day forum in Armidale has brought together councils, researchers, industry and government to examine how New England can prepare for the practical demands of becoming NSW’s largest Renewable Energy Zone, with water security emerging as a central concern.
Stakeholders from government, industry, research and the community gathered at the University of New England on 14 and 15 May for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Forum, a two-day event examining how the region can prepare for the opportunities and pressures associated with large-scale renewable energy development.
Hosted in Armidale, the forum focused on issues expected to shape the future of a region anticipated to become NSW’s largest REZ. Discussions centred on workforce accommodation, water security, waste and circular economy, skills and training, and local supply chains.
The event brought together around 100 participants from local government, state government, research organisations and industry to examine likely cumulative impacts, discuss solutions already in progress and workshop further ideas.
According to the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), the forum created space for participants to share ideas and identify regional priorities, with discussion focused on ensuring renewable energy development delivers long-term value to local communities.
Circular economy enters the renewable conversation
The first day concentrated on infrastructure and sustainability pressures linked to renewable energy growth, including a panel discussion on waste and circular economy.
The session included TRaCE Enterprise Academic Fellow Dr Jessica Allen and TRaCE Translation Manager Dave Mitchell, with discussions centred on how circular economy principles could be incorporated into renewable energy development through practical and scalable approaches.
TRaCE said the conversation reflected growing interest in reducing waste and improving material reuse as renewable projects expand across regional NSW.
“Participants left with a clear message: strong partnerships and locally informed solutions will be essential to ensure the renewable energy transition delivers lasting benefits for New England communities,” TRaCE said.
Water security emerges as a key concern
The second day shifted attention to workforce capability, local supply chains and the economic outcomes associated with renewable development. However, according to RE-Alliance, one issue consistently stood out.
“For councils across the region, it was no surprise that water emerged as the critical gateway issue in New England,” said Thomasen Knight, RE-Alliance Regional Programs Manager.
“Progress on renewable energy development here depends on getting water security and wastewater management right.”
RE-Alliance said water demand linked to REZ activity is expected to exceed what is currently available in the region, although one local council has already proposed a regional water solution that could form part of the response.
The organisation said the forum helped build a shared understanding of priority issues and encouraged collaboration between sectors to manage impacts while supporting long-term regional benefits.
Local leadership shapes regional planning
RE-Alliance pointed to the role of the University of New England and Uralla Shire Council in leading the event, describing it as an example of regional communities working to respond to emerging challenges rather than waiting for outside intervention.
The forum’s five focus areas mirrored those identified in EnergyCo’s recently published Regional Major Infrastructure Studies for the New England REZ, which examine the cumulative impacts associated with large-scale infrastructure development.
According to RE-Alliance, discussions also explored how infrastructure developed for renewable projects could leave longer-term benefits for communities, including the potential for worker accommodation to contribute to affordable housing outcomes in New England townships.
As NSW continues expanding renewable infrastructure, the issues raised in New England point to questions many regional communities are likely to face, particularly around water, housing and how the benefits of development are retained locally.
