Mayoral Message: Request for Respectful Debate

October 1, 2026

Published on 23 September 2026

The Oberon community has always participated in respectful debate concerning divisive issues in our community including amalgamation, the Library and Community Centre construction, the Sewerage Treatment Plant and other matters that have generated concern and strong views within our community.

The investigation into the feasibility of constructing and operating The Pines Wind Farm is similarly a highly significant issue that has generated strong and differing views across our community.

The Pines Wind Farm project is being investigated by a private company, Tag Energy, in response to an invitation issued by the NSW Government. It is likely to take a further 12 - 24 months before any decision is made about whether the project will be granted approval. That decision will be made by the NSW Government, not by Oberon Council.

There is a wide range of views about this project and those views are strongly and passionately held by members of our community. Throughout the assessment process, there will be opportunities for the community to provide input, and I encourage everyone with an interest in the project to participate in those processes and make their views known through the appropriate channels.

I publicly encourage all parties with views on this project, whether for or against, to conduct themselves in a lawful, respectful and safe manner, and to ensure that disagreement does not escalate into behaviour that threatens the safety or wellbeing of others. This expectation applies equally to in person interactions and commentary made on social media.

At this stage, Council remains neutral and has taken no formal position either for or against the project. There is no application or proposal before Council for its consideration.

Council continues to raise and question issues relating to The Pines Wind Farm project with the proponents, the NSW Government and Forestry Corporation.

Ultimately, any decision regarding approval of the project will rest with the NSW Government, not Oberon Council. In the meantime, I urge all members of our community to respect the right of others to hold and express differing views, to engage through the appropriate processes and to ensure that debate remains respectful, lawful and safe.

Andrew McKibbin
Mayor

Disclaimer: Oberon Matters has no editorial opinion either way on the matter of wind towers near Oberon. This article is for public information only. Please see our position of total neutrality.

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