NSW renewables plan sparks hope for bushfire survivors

Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action

BUSHFIRE SURVIVORS have described the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap as a much-needed plan for a safer, brighter future for bushfire-affected communities.

The Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is Australia’s most ambitious energy plan, outlining new support for NSW Renewable Energy Zones by 2030, with policy and financial support for renewable energy and battery storage projects.

“Today’s renewable energy announcement from the NSW government comes almost exactly a year after devastating fires burned from the Blue Mountains to Tenterfield last year, and will ease the anxiety of bushfire survivors and people in bushfire-prone areas,” said Jo Dodds, president, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action.

“This is the type of political leadership and evidence-based policy that NSW residents need for a climate safe future and thriving economy.

“The experts are clear that climate action delivers economic benefits to Australian communities while avoiding costly impacts of worsening bushfires. This announcement is good news for regional communities paying the price for worsening extreme weather,” said Ms Dodds.

Jan Harris, a bushfire survivor who lost her home in the 2018 Reedy Swamp fire, said: “It has been deeply distressing for bushfire survivors like me to witness the Federal Government’s refusal to take credible action on climate change, and spruik more coal and gas instead.

“The NSW government has shown that choosing a renewables-powered economy instead of a coal and gas-powered one doesn’t need to be a partisan political issue. It’s sound economics and good common sense.

“We continue to urge the federal government to listen to the experts, protect Australians who are vulnerable to climate and economic shocks, and join the growing tide of international, state and local governments taking credible climate action and safeguarding our future,” said Ms Harris.

/Public Release.