PROPOSED legislation currently before the NSW Legislative Assembly would allow the Energy Minister to identify the highest-priority renewable energy projects in the planning pipeline and prioritise them for streamlining.
The NSW Government says it would result in more streamlined approvals for generation, storage and network projects that will power homes, industry and economic growth.
However, it also states the proposed law would not remove any environmental or community assessment requirements, with developers still needing to meet all relevant planning, environmental and consultation obligations.
“Priority energy projects must demonstrate best practice in how they work with landholders and communities, particularly in regional NSW,” the NSW Government said in a statement.
“The Energy Legislation Amendment (Prioritising Renewable Energy) Bill 2026 will also support the effective and consistent implementation of the NSW Benefit-Sharing Guideline, ensuring councils and communities hosting projects receive associated benefits.”
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said the government is committed to ensuring reliable, affordable energy for heavy industries like the Tomago aluminium smelter,
and to power economic growth across the state.
“This new legislation will mean infrastructure projects that are critical for manufacturing jobs, economic growth and energy affordability don’t get stuck in the queue,” she said.
“No matter where you live in this state, you will benefit from us getting on with the job and delivering quality renewable projects as fast as we can.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “With a growing pipeline of energy projects ahead of us, we need a planning system that can support achieving our ambitious energy targets.
“These reforms will also make sure critical projects are not being delayed by objections from people thousands of kilometres away who will never be impacted by them – NSW locals should and will have the loudest voice.”
The move has been met with discontent from sections of the agriculture industry, with NSW Farmers warning that rushing approvals will deepen community distress, entrench an unfair power imbalance between large developers and landholders, and generate more objections and conflict.
NSW Farmers Energy Taskforce chair Reg Kidd described the government’s new approvals plan as “reckless”.
“Farmers have not been given realistic timeframes to understand proposals and participate meaningfully, or object where necessary,” Mr Kidd said.
“We’ve been working hard with EnergyCo and the government to improve engagement and get better consultation and we don’t want to derail that process – these issues can’t be rushed.
“Under current arrangements, communities are often expected to respond to highly technical Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) within weeks.
“If this is fast-tracked even more, additional pressure will be put on time-poor landholders already distressed and stretched.”
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