Farming through change: Hugh Sutherland on farming, renewables and community

As the small community of Uralla prepares for once-in-a-generation investment through the New England Renewable Energy Zone, local landholders are at the centre of conversations about what ‘good’ renewable energy development looks like.

For sixth-generation farmer Hugh Sutherland, the energy transition is not an abstract policy debate or an issue dominating his newsfeed.

It is unfolding on his family’s land, where a proposed 320 MW solar farm, capable of generating enough electricity each year to power more than 100,000 homes, could sit alongside new transmission infrastructure. All while generating additional income for his family.

Hugh’s experience reflects many of the priorities identified through Uralla Shire Council’s Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan (RESAP): protecting productive farmland, ensuring communities have a genuine voice in decision-making, and making sure the benefits of renewable energy are shared fairly across the region.

We spoke with Hugh for an honest take about what renewable energy development means for his family, his farm business and the future of the Uralla community.

Can you tell us about your connection to Uralla Shire and your role in the community?

I’m a sixth-generation farmer. My family has been here since the 1830s, and my wife Cathie and I raised four kids here. We run a mixed livestock enterprise on 3,400 acres with our son Charlie.

Can you tell me more about the developments planned for your place and how they came about?

The energy developers were persistent, so we sat down for a chat. Initially, a couple of developers’ ideas did not fit our long-term goals, but after four years of negotiation we signed up for solar. We chose solar over wind because solar can be more easily tucked away where we won’t see it.

After the drought in 2019, we signed a formal agreement to lease about 1,600 acres in total for solar development across two parcels of land.

We have also now started the land acquisition process with EnergyCo for the transmission infrastructure. This will be for the backbone transmission line linking the New England REZ to the existing network, as well as for sharing the hosting of a substation.

How will this benefit your farming business and productivity in the short and long term?

It provides a diversified income. It is not completely guaranteed, but it is far more dependable than normal farm income. Following the 2019 drought, which saw us spend nearly $1 million over several years just feeding livestock, Cathie and I started thinking about slowing down. This diversified income gives us the opportunity to retain the entire farm asset. Without it, our succession planning might have required selling off part of the land.

Once it’s up and going, the farming operations that are not part of the solar farm will actually benefit. At the moment, the cash flow isn’t always there to do the things you want to do when you want to do them. This will add another layer of income certainty to the business. From an investment perspective, that will improve our overall productivity.

How will hosting these projects benefit the broader region, and how can Uralla secure an enduring legacy?

During construction, there are hundreds of workers requiring accommodation. Local businesses benefit: during previous builds for example, the local butcher benefitted from a large boost in demand and mobile coffee vans from local coffee shops went on-site for the workers. In a town of 2,800 people, a single project might bring in 400 construction workers. If you have two projects at once, the town is noticeably busier. Workers and their families rent accommodation, visit local shops, and use local trade services like electricians.

These are large projects requiring substantial funding, and our hope is that developments will leave lasting improvements behind. We’d like to see basic services addressed that are beyond the capacity of local government to deliver, especially around water, wastewater and housing

Also, having significant projects and workforces around Uralla provides further justification for an ambulance station or improved health services.

Add to that the community benefit funds and sponsorships for local sporting teams, and it provides a genuine boost across the community.

What is the support like locally for the renewable energy projects?

Locally in Uralla, most people are fairly ambivalent or quietly supportive. A lot of the vocal opposition is highly coordinated on social media which can make it appear larger than it is, whereas most locals take a pragmatic view.

Opposition picked up when changes were made to the transmission line route, which concerned farmers facing potential compulsory acquisition. Others worry about local road wear from heavy traffic and potholes.

Overall, the slower pace gave people time to learn and once neighbours see the actual project footprints on maps, much of the apprehension settles down. At a recent open day for a potential project, a neighbouring landholder came in to look at the map, asked where the boundary would be relative to his place, said “Good, no worries,” and went on his way. Overall, while there are valid risks that must be managed, the development presents a substantial positive opportunity for our region.

From your perspective, what does a good relationship with a renewable energy developer look like?

What this arrangement actually looks like will be different in every single case. When dealing with a number of farmers each will be at a different stage of life and their business objectives and priorities will also vary. For this reason, a development that encapsulates a number of neighbouring farms is more complicated.

When you look 10 to 15 years ahead, what does a strong, resilient economy look like for Uralla shire?

I hope it looks like a bigger version of its current self. Growth comes with risks, but the alternative is stagnating or going backwards. Managed well, Uralla can retain its close community feel while supporting a larger population.

People are already moving to Uralla because it is an appealing place to live. It has vibrant cafes and strong community spirit. In 10 to 15 years, good development would mean more essential services: a local ambulance station, additional doctors, thriving retail, and well-funded sporting clubs, rather than just population growth without supporting infrastructure. The critical factor will be how that growth is managed.

Any final words?

Renewable energy developments have brought attention back on regional communities. Historically, regional and rural communities haven’t received equitable per capita government funding compared to major metropolitan centres. The Renewable Energy Zone has put regional Australia back in focus, and hopefully the community can leverage that.

Uralla’s Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan

Two years of listening, testing and co-design have led to this: a practical plan for how NSW’s Uralla Shire can host large-scale renewable energy development on its own terms – protecting what the community values while sharing the benefits of the transition fairly. 

Uralla’s RESAP was developed by Uralla Shire Council with the community with in-kind support from The Next Economy, as part of the national Striking a New Deal (SaND) collaboration. 

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