During the election, the Liberals announced they would declare Tasmania’s first renewable energy zone within 100 days of forming government.

With limited sitting days left until that milestone is reached, today’s announcement that the north-west REZ has just begun consultation raises serious doubts they will meet their pledge.

The Liberal government first announced the north west would be considered to become Tasmania’s first Renewable Energy Zone way back in 2022.

Renewable Energy Zones are supposed to make building wind farms easier, but since that announcement nothing has happened.

It has now been over 1,200 days since the last new Tasmanian windfarm was completed*.

More than a year ago in February 2023, then Minister for Energy Guy Barnett announced that the “engagement phase” had started for the project.

Today’s announcement is nothing more than the Liberals spinning their wheels on something that should be done by now.

Rather than more hot air, the government needs to get on with the job and declare the zone so that much needed generation can be built.

*Granville Harbour Wind Farm became fully operational on December 18, 2020

Janie Finlay MP
Shadow Minister for Energy & Renewables