Energy

The NSW Liberals and Nationals will oppose Labor’s rushed attempt to remove independent oversight, increase Ministerial powers and bypass effective community consultation on renewable energy projects in regional NSW, with the views of farmers and other stakeholders already being ignored by the Minns Labor Government ... The Energy Legislation Amendment (Prioritising Renewable Energy) Bill 2026 is a reckless concentration of unchecked Ministerial power...

More renewable energy flowing into the system is helping place downward pressure on electricity prices, with the Default Market Offer in NSW set to fall from July. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has determined the cap on default electricity prices for NSW households will drop by between 3.4 and 7.7 per cent from July, reflecting lower wholesale electricity costs as more renewable generation and storage enters the market.

Flinders Shire Council is taking a leaf out of the Texas playbook to supercharge its economic future, welcoming a high-profile delegation of USA wind energy experts to the region this week as part of a tour of the state. The strategic visit aims to showcase how Flinders Shire is championing a pragmatic, economically driven approach to renewable energy development...

Almost three months since the closure of the Straits of Hormuz, the federal government continues to issue statements couched in confident language about fuel and fertiliser "secured" and "shipments" and "cargoes" headed our way ... Australian Rural & Regional News put out some feelers to many of the Australian farmers' associations this week ... your story from on the ground out there is wanted.

“Frack off” has been the resounding message coming out from the Limestone Coast following the premier’s announcement that the government plans to lift a 10-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the region, two years ahead of its 2028 expiry.

Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has secured a delay to the decommissioning of the Albany Gas Distribution System, giving the community more time to navigate the transition. Provider ATCO has decided to exit the market in Albany, with the three-year decommissioning process originally set to begin in the second half of 2026.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has signed off on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Warracknabeal Energy Park – marking the most significant milestone in the state approvals process. Once complete, the 219-turbine wind farm would deliver more than 1.5 gigawatts of renewable energy – enough to power up to 1.2 million homes.

The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, has announced a major shift in Victoria’s energy planning, with a proposal to roll out Urban Solar Parks across industrial and commercial precincts if elected to government in November. The policy would transform large rooftops on warehouses, factories, shopping centres and industrial estates into energy hubs...

The Brisbane major parties need to get over their egos and remember they govern for Queensland, not for political point scoring, Leader of the KAP and state Member for Traeger Robbie Katter has said. Mr Katter praised the KAP’s Member for Hill, Shane Knuth, for tabling a biofuels mandate bill that would force big oil companies to use more ethanol and biodiesel, kick starting a revitalisation of the biofuels industry in Queensland.

The May Budget delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers has elicited criticism, and some praise, from many quarters, as illustrated by the following statements from the National Party, Beyond Zero Emissions, National Farmers' Federation and the NFF Horticulture Council, National Seniors Australia, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, TasFarmers, Grain Producers Australia and NSW Farmers.

Matt Barrie. The freight industry doesn't ask for much attention on Budget night. But when the shelves are stocked, the construction sites are running, and the mines are operating – a truck driver made that happen. Last night's Budget should have done more for them.

This is a responsible Budget that is all about resilience and reform. It’s all about getting Australians through the global oil shock and building an economy that works for more people. We’re delivering more cost-of-living help and building a more productive economy, a better tax system, a fairer housing market and a stronger and more sustainable budget.

As the country reaches a regional population milestone, Find a Mover’s decade of platform data shows what the diesel surge means for movers booking now — and what the structural floor reset means for the regional migration flow long-term ... For the regional Australians making the move right now, the window to do it at anything close to last year’s price is closing fast.

The Cook Labor Government is delivering for regional Western Australia in the 2026-27 State Budget through investments in health, housing and jobs for the regions, while providing significant cost-of-living relief for families.

The Liberals and Nationals last night voted to repeal the state’s ban on uranium mining and nuclear energy. All Liberal and Nationals members of the Legislative Council voted in favour of John Ruddick’s Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2025.

NSW Farmers is calling on the NSW Government to pause plans to fast-track renewable energy projects in regional NSW, warning that rushing approvals will deepen community distress, entrench an unfair power imbalance between large developers and landholders, and generate more objections and conflict.

AusNet has formally applied to the Victorian Government to compulsorily acquire easements from Victorian farmers to build the Western Renewables Link (WRL) transmission line before the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is completed.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has labelled AusNet’s application for compulsory land acquisition powers for the Western Renewables Link (WRL) as a disgrace, warning it represents a huge escalation in pressure tactics against regional landholders.