HAVE YOUR SAY ON LAND ACQUISITIONS

The independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, says the NSW Government’s announcement of a review of compulsory land acquisitions for communities affected by public projects is long overdue but welcome – especially in relation to renewable energy infrastructure. 

The Land Acquisition Review is considering the government’s approach to acquisitions, including processes undertaken by agencies when acquiring land, roles and responsibilities, and how best to ensure consistent acquisitions under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991. 

Following advocacy by Dr McGirr, the government has agreed to add Wagga Wagga to a schedule of in-person consultation sessions, with that session to be held at the Wagga RSL on 17 April. 

“Following the failed consultation process on the HumeLink project, I have been pushing hard for governments and developers to genuinely listen to local communities and act on their concerns, especially when land is to be compulsorily acquired for renewable energy infrastructure,” Dr McGirr said. 

“As I said in a statement to parliament last week, landowners have been all-but ignored for too long while poles and wires or solar factories appear on properties against community wishes. 

“While it has taken too long to get this review under way, I’m pleased that the government has now acknowledged a balance needs to be reached between the rights of landholders and the benefits of public infrastructure development.  

“This is an opportunity for those in the path of public infrastructure works to be consulted, with the expectation that their concerns will actually be addressed.” 

However, Dr McGirr said he was concerned that the review does not include riverside landowners whose properties are at risk of flooding from environmental flows. 

“The rationale behind this approach is that flooding of farmland is not a property acquisition, but the fact remains that inundation of property causes major damage and is very costly to landholders, who deserve fair compensation, preferably paid in ongoing annual instalments,” he said. 

“I will continue to fight for a fair deal for landowners who will be badly impacted by flooding, and I urge anyone affected either by flow easements or any other negative impact from public infrastructure to make a submission to the review and demand a fair go.”   

Community consultation began on 22 March and will continue until 3 May. 

Further information on the review and how to make submissions can be found at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/land-acquisition-review.