Local election results in NSW’s renewable energy zones indicate a large majority of voters either support or don’t have a strong view on local large scale wind and solar energy developments.
Solutions for Climate Australia has analysed local council election results in towns across the state where debates about local renewable energy developments have been hot topics, and found few locals were motivated to vote for candidates who oppose solar and wind developments.
In Wollongong for example, some thought the absence of Liberal candidates would artificially inflate support for candidates whose platforms included opposing the planned offshore wind development. However Labor and the Greens - who were supportive of the proposed development - drew more than two thirds of the vote for mayor, with 12% and 10 % greater support than the last election.
There was a small but vocal anti-wind farm campaign in the Hunter region, however this failed to gain electoral traction with no anti-offshore wind farm candidates gaining a quota, pending postal vote counting.
In Broken Hill the incumbent mayor, who has been a vocal supporter of a local big renewable energy project, saw support rise from 54% to 70% primary.
Solutions for Climate Australia Deputy Director Sophia Walter said:
“This is great news for the fast and fair rollout of renewables - if there was extensive public opposition to local solar and wind energy projects then the Liberals’ absence from many local council elections would have spelled greater support for opposing candidates. Instead from Broken Hill to Wollongong, we saw a growth in support for the most vocal supporters of local renewable developments.
“Political parties and independents should sit up and take notice - time after time we see that the vast majority of the public wants to see more clean, affordable solar and wind energy in our electricity market.”
Renewable energy makes up an average of 40 per cent of electricity generation currently, and the government has a target of 82% renewables by 2030.
ENDS
Click here for the analysis of local council results relating to local renewable energy sentiment
For interview:
Deputy Director of Solutions for Climate Australia Sophia Walter: 0476 260 028