ABC's CITIZEN JURY — Would you live inside a modern power station? These people will, and want to be heard

Jul 16, 2025

Guest

Janine Young

Guest

Andrew Bray

Guest

Tony Inder

Join Tony Inder, a sixth-generation Merino wool farmer who now grazes sheep among solar panels, as he discusses the complexities of converting agricultural land for energy use. Andrew Bray, from the Australian Renewable Energy Alliance, highlights the necessity of community dialogue in the face of renewable energy expansion. Janine Young, the Energy and Water Ombudsman, emphasizes the need for transparency and fair benefits distribution. Together, they explore local concerns and opportunities for better engagement in Australia's energy transition.

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ANECDOTE

Solar Grazing Benefits

Tony Inder shared how his sheep thrived grazing under solar panels with improved feed and wool cutting.
The panels create shade that keeps the ground moist, benefiting pasture in summer months.

ADVICE

Require Farming with Renewables

Mandate co-location of agriculture with solar and wind farms at the state planning level.
This will preserve farming viability and encourage innovative land use, like vineyards between panels.

INSIGHT

Equitable Community Benefits

Subsidising electricity bills for communities inside renewable energy zones can build trust.
Equitable benefits help all community members feel included, not just select groups.

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Citizen Jury is ABC Radio National's experiment in citizen-led democracy. The ingredients? A gnarly issue + a jury of citizens = conversations + ideas for solutions + a public event to share them. Join Big Ideas presenter Natasha Mitchell in Dubbo, NSW for our first Citizen Jury. We all want electricity at the flick of a switch, but who bears the brunt of making that happen? Join citizens who live in Australia's first official Renewable Energy Zone or REZ where millions of solar panels, hundreds of wind turbines, large storage batteries, and high voltage transmission lines are being rolled out over a 20,000 square kilometre area.But the scale and pace are sowing seeds of division in the community. Some see benefits, some see potential harms.What they think could be done better or differently? What can the rest of Australia learn from their experiences about the energy transition?

Thank you to the Dubbo Regional Council and the Western Plains Cultural Centre teams for their support for this event.

Speakers

Adam Ryan (Citizen Jury member)Wiradjuri man and fatherTeacher, Wellington Correctional CentreCouncillor, Dubbo Regional Council (but not representing Council on this panel)

Grant Gjessing (Citizen Jury member)Business owner, Strait-Up Cranes and DiggingPresident, Business Mudgee

Linda Gant (Citizen Jury member)Cattle and sheep farmer with her husband for 40 years in Cassilis, NSW.Member, Cassilis District Development GroupMember, Liverpool Range Wind Farm Community Consultation Committee

Tony Inder (Citizen Jury member)6th generation merino wool farmer and 'solar sheep grazier' in Wellington, NSW

Andrew Bray (participated in Citizen Jury meetings)National director, ReAlliance (Australian Renewable Energy Alliance)

Janine Young Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON)

Ash AlburyExecutive Director, Planning and Communities, EnergyCo

Peter BennettExecutive Project Director, EnergyCo

And thank you to the various community members and other stakeholders in attendance who participated in the event.

Representatives from ACEREZ and Squadron Energy were also in attendance.

Thanks to cattle and sheep farmer Simon Barton from Wellington, NSW and Michael Bullock, Manager of Bodangora wind farm (Iberdrola) for their participation in a social media story.

Particular thanks to ABC Western Plains Chief of Staff Nick Lowther and rural reporters Claudia Sullivan and Catherine James for their support.

Further information

Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone

Parliamentary inquiry: Impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) on rural and regional communities and industries in NSW

Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC): Community Engagement Review (in relation to Renewable Energy Infrastructure developments).This review was undertaken by the former Commissioner Andrew Dyer, who is now a Professorial Fellow at Monash University.