1000 regional energy zone residents back power shift in new poll

A majority of people living in regional energy zones across Australia back clean energy development locally, but want developers held to account in their construction.

The “quiet majority of rural Australia” backs clean energy project development locally, but wants developers held to account in their construction, according to a new survey of 1000 people living in renewable energy zones in every state.

The survey carried out in the last two months by 89 Degrees East on behalf of Farmers for Climate Action revealed that 70 per cent supported clean energy projects on farmland in their community and only 17 per cent were opposed.

Farmers for Climate Action says it represents 8400 farmer members.

The survey also revealed that 73 per cent of those with a connection to farming support clean energy projects on local farmland and 71 per cent of those polled said farmers who choose to should be allowed to host clean energy on their farms.

Farmers for Climate Action chief executive Natalie Collard.

Farmers for Climate Action chief executive Natalie Collard said the results of the latest poll matched that of a recent Porter Novelli regional poll, the CSIRO survey of 6000-plus people, renewable energy zone polling by RE-Alliance, and even results of recent NSW council elections.

“The data shows the quiet majority of rural Australia is clearly in favour of clean energy projects locally, although many don’t realise they’re part of the quiet majority,” Ms Collard said.

“Those who don’t support clean energy and those who do have a lot in common.

“They express the same valid concerns.

“Regional Australia is clearly asking the government to hold developers to account as they aim to build clean energy projects.

“Those polled clearly ask for the government to take charge on decommissioning, even though the vast majority of clean energy contracts already require the operator to decommission the project, and this means decommissioning would be covered by insurance should a company go broke.”

Clean energy projects such as solar farms have been back in a survey conducted in the last two months. Picture: Daniel Leal

Ms Collard said only 30 per cent of renewable energy zone realised farmers did well from renewable energy.

“With farmers being offered more than $40,000 per turbine per year and $1500 per hectare per year for solar, while they continue to farm cattle around the turbines and sheep under the solar, it’s very good, drought proof money,” she said.