The Hon. Kevin Anderson, Member for Tamworth (NSW), Media Release, 8 February 2024

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has used his time in Parliament this week to renew his push for high voltage transmission lines to be moved off private land holdings.

In a speech delivered last night in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Anderson called on EnergyCo and the government to listen to farming families in the Tamworth electorate and act.

“Farmers in the Tamworth electorate are strongly opposed to the construction of 200ft high transmission towers on their land, and it’s causing significant angst for families in the Dungowan and Limbri areas,” Mr Anderson said.

“Farmers feel like they’re not being listened to by the Labor Government, which is why I took to the floor of parliament to call on the government to listen to farming communities and shift the infrastructure onto public land wherever possible.

“It’s now up to EnergyCo and the government to listen to the views of these farming communities to ensure the project has social licence.”

Mr Anderson recently joined local landholders Jan and Ross Hahn in Dungowan who are affected by the proposed transmission lines.

“Standing on top of a hill in the Dungowan Valley, it’s easy to see why local farmers are concerned about the impacts this proposal will have on their land.

“The valley is one of the most visually stunning parts of our electorate and the proposed route of the transmission lines runs right through it.

“There are also proposals to shift farming infrastructure like dams, which will significantly impact the ability of these landholders to provide water for their stock.

“The current route is unacceptable, and I will continue my calls for the government to listen to the community and act.”