State Government Energy Minister Reece Whitby responds to Wheatbelt local government concerns on renewables

A State Government minister has responded to concerns from three Wheatbelt shires about several renewable projects forecast for the area by 2030. Local government representatives from Wagin, West Arthur and Narrogin told the Narrogin Observer last week that they were disappointed by the lack of communication and information from the State Government regarding renewable projects expected to be built in their shires. They said they were concerned community benefits would be bulldozed and were unsure how to plan for the future without a steady State Government framework to follow. Energy Minister Reece Whitby says he understands local governments want to see community benefits from renewable developments and is open to listen and discuss their needs and concerns. Minister Whitby says he meets with community members daily who are interested in Western Australia’s renewable future. “This includes personally meeting with several local governments in the past month, including the Shires of Wagin, Williams, Narrogin, and West Arthur, as well as the Western Australian Local Government Association,” Mr Whitby said. “I have had regular discussions with local shires because I believe they have a critical role to play in the process. “Let me be clear — any local government official who is interested in discussing the State’s energy transition is free to contact my office and request a meeting.” The minister said “WA has the potential to become a clean energy superpower”. “Our current focus is on supporting the retirement of State-owned coal-fired power and ensuring the regulatory settings are right for developers to embrace the opportunity in front of them,” Mr Whitby said. “Under a Cook Labor Government, I have no concerns about our State’s progress towards that goal.”