This week's Minute with Mayor McKibbin

December 25, 2025

December 19, 2025

Renewal energy projects continue to dominate the horizon with the NSW and Federal Governments determined to push ahead full steam with these projects, however, local communities are becoming divided by the impost of these projects within local Government areas. The General Manager of Mid-West Council, Brad Cam, presented to Council on Monday 1 December about the massive impacts on Council resources and communities the huge number of renewable projects in his area were having on the community. Adverse effects included closures of roads, removal of trees, provision of gravel and water, increased rents, availability of labour for non-renewable projects, increased costs of labour and materials generally, plus over stretched health care services. Stromlo/Tag, the proponents for the Pines Windfarm project, covering three Forestry Corporation plantations in Oberon, provided their regular quarterly update to Council on 9 December 2025. The discussion was robust and covered topics such as duration of leases and licences with Forestry Corporation and private landholders, neighbour agreements and insurance provisions/requirements.

Lithgow Council will be reviewing its requirements for decommissioning of the existing Hampton wind turbines and installation of two new turbines early in 2026. Oberon is interested in relation to the transport route for the new turbines and the standards that Lithgow imposes on decommissioning, and Oberon will be making a submission.

Councils throughout NSW are facing ﬁnancial pressures with more demand on their services, cost shifting, less operational and capital grants from NSW and Federal Governments and limited revenue sources. Oberon, with 43% of its Council area not paying rates (National Parks and Forestry Corporation managed land) is particularly exposed to an inability to raise revenue from these protected lands without any adequate compensation. Council held a workshop on 2 December to look at its ﬁnancial sustainability along with the level and adequacy of its reserves for infrastructure maintenance and renewal. Cost savings through better utilisation of resources and more appropriate pricing of services are logical areas to consider. Council is fully aware that ratepayers and constituents are already facing cost pressures from areas such as food, electricity and insurance increases.

I take the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The recent welcome rain has reduced the ﬁre danger over Christmas which is of beneﬁt to us all. Please remember to be safe on the roads

Andrew McKibbin

Oberon Mayor