Farmers in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone will soon be able to apply for grants to purchase agricultural technology, under the Minns Labor Government's new $1.4 million Smart Farming Program.
Local primary producers will be able to apply for grants to cover 70 per cent of the cost of eligible technologies that improve productivity, efficiency, safety, and business resilience, up to a maximum value of $35,000.
The Minns Labor Government is transforming the energy system in a practical, orderly and affordable way to keep the lights on and prices down. We're also ensuring regional communities benefit through local jobs, better infrastructure and community benefits.
The initiative supports a wide range of agtech solutions, such as soil and water sensors, drones, livestock and crop monitoring tools, electric fencing monitoring, site security platforms and fuel tank sensors.
The grants can also fund the connectivity devices that underpin modern farming systems, enabling producers to access real-time data, automate operations and manage assets remotely.
Applicants will be required to have completed an Agtech Fundamentals workshop, delivered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Farms of the Future Program, which helps producers assess technology options, develop farm monitoring plans and make informed investment decisions. The program is available face-to-face and online.
Grant applications will open in the coming months. The initiative forms part of the NSW Government's $128 million investment in community benefits for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, ensuring local communities share in the opportunities created by the state's energy transformation.
That includes the Minns Labor Government's new $14.5 million Telecommunications Infrastructure Uplift Program, to improve mobile phone and internet coverage in the Central-West Orana REZ.
Additional community benefit funding will continue to flow to the region over coming years through fees paid by renewable energy projects connecting to the Renewable Energy Zone network.
Details of upcoming Agtech Fundamentals workshops in the Central-West Orana region, including dates and locations, will be published online via Agtech Fundamentals Workshops.
Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe:
"These grants, available thanks to the Renewable Energy Zone, will help farmers invest in practical technologies that improve productivity, safety and profitability.
"Through initiatives like this, we're ensuring communities hosting critical renewable energy infrastructure see tangible benefits now, while building a stronger future for regional NSW."
Minister for Agriculture and Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty:
"The Minns Labor Government is backing NSW farmers to embrace innovation and technology that can improve farm performance and support the long-term success of our state's agricultural industries.
"More than 1,500 farmers across NSW have already taken part in Farms of the Future Agtech Fundamentals training. Our recently launched online learning hub, the Agtech Academy, will make it even easier for producers to build their understanding of agtech and assess opportunities for their own operations."
Information for media:
What is a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ)?
- REZs group new wind and solar power generation into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across NSW.
- Five zones will keep electricity reliable as coal-fired power stations retire, by delivering large amounts of energy.
- REZs will help deliver lower wholesale electricity costs and place downward pressure on customer bills through increased competition.
What is the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone?
- The state's first REZ is in the Central-West Orana region, centred by Dubbo and Dunedoo. It takes in Gulgong, Mudgee, Wellington, Gilgandra and other towns.
- The REZ is forecast to support more than 1,800 direct jobs in the local area during peak construction, and almost 1,000 ongoing operational roles.
- Transmission lines for the Central-West Orana REZ will travel 240 kilometres. The easement will take in 0.04% of the total agricultural land in the four impacted local government areas.
- ACEREZ, a partnership of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy, was appointed network operator by EnergyCo to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the transmission network for the Central-West Orana REZ.
