ARC calls for funding to support NEREZ growth

New England Renewable Energy Zone

29th Apr 2025

Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is calling for election funding commitments from candidates in the upcoming Federal Election to help fund critical projects like water security, airport upgrades, housing, workforce training and education.
Further investment in the Armidale Region is needed to address the impacts of the NSW Government’s New England Renewable Energy Zone (NEREZ), according to ARC Mayor Sam Coupland.
The NEREZ - which is proposed to generate 8 gigawatts of renewable energy (the largest planned REZ in NSW by capacity) - is poised to transform Armidale Region into a ‘boomtown’ by driving rapid economic growth, increased population, and heightened demand for local services and infrastructure.
“While this may sound enticing, the perils of boomtown dynamics have long been recognised and challenges boomtowns frequently encounter include degraded quality of life and social disruption arising when demand for services exceeds supply, followed by inadequate investment and shortfalls in the necessary workforce to service new community and business needs,” said Mayor Coupland.
“We are not asking for handouts - we are asking for smart, strategic investment that will support the economic engine of the New England region.
“We need to build resilience and capacity across the whole New England area. Strategic investment now will pay dividends for decades to come.”
Key areas requiring funding include:
• Remediation works to the Oaky River Dam wall to make it operational. This is required to support the NEREZ construction and shore up future water security for the region.
• Upgrade of the Armidale Region Airport runway needed to service the additional FIFO flights and emergency response aircraft required to protect the nationally significant energy generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure throughout the NEREZ from bushfire.
• Fast-tracked housing development, including the 130-lot Duval-Grandview site for mixed-tenure, mixed-density housing, including social and affordable dwellings, to ease affordability pressures.
• Construction of a new, larger, purpose-built childcare facility to service the Guyra community and surrounding region.
“The renewable energy transition is coming fast and we’re ready to rise to the occasion,” said Mayor Coupland.
“But without targeted investment in our infrastructure, training, and housing, we risk being left behind.
“We have done the groundwork. We have the vision.
“What we need now is for election candidates to match our ambition with funding commitments that support sustainable, long-term growth for our region.”

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ARC calls for funding to support NEREZ growth

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