Analysis: NSW local council elections show strong support for renewables

On Saturday 14th September local communities voted in the NSW Local Government Elections. Communities across the state expressed support for renewable energy developments, none more so than those living in declared renewable energy zones.

Communities in the Illawarra renewable energy zone which is covered by Wollongong City Council, Shellharbour City Council and Kiama Municipal Council voted for Mayors and councillors who were in favour of renewable energy developments.

In the Illawarra those candidates campaigning strongly on an offshore anti-wind farm platform generally have failed to gain enough votes to obtain a quota (postal votes still to be counted). These candidates generally gained little traction with local communities. Kiama saw the highest vote in support of anti-offshore wind farm candidates across the three local government areas and have gained a single quota to elect a single councillor on the Kiama Council..

Those communities living in the South West renewable energy zone covering several councils Murrumbidgee Council, Edward River Council, Balranald Shire Council, Hay Shire Council, Wentworth Shire Council, Murray River Shire Council also voted for councillors who were in favour of renewable energy developments.

There were no candidates running on a strong anti-renewable platform and several ran on strong support for renewable energy projects, particularly in the Balranald and Hay Shire areas. They were generally successful in getting sufficient votes to obtain several quotas, with postal votes to be counted.

In the Hunter renewable energy zone, covering Central Coast Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Newcastle City Council, Port Stephens City Council, Maitland City Council, Cessnock City Council Singleton City Council, Dungog Shire Council, Muswellbrook City Council and Upper Hunter Shire Council communities likewise voted for pro-renewable energy development mayors and councillors.

There were some of the strongest anti-wind farm campaigns in the state in the Hunter however they generally failed to gain electoral traction with no anti-offshore wind farm candidates gaining a quota, pending postal vote counting. Whilst several candidates, including mayoral candidates, signalled they wanted independent environmental studies they did not rule out support for offshore wind farms, all supported renewable energy and most council candidates also openly supported renewable energy.

In Broken Hill the incumbent mayor received more support, and he's been a vocal supporter of a local big renewable energy project his support went from 54% to 70% primary.

This outcome should reassure Labor and the Greens that renewables are not an electoral liability but should send a strong message to the Coalition that it needs to rethink its approach to renewable energy projects, particularly offshore wind farms, and move to support an increase in the number of projects.