Renewables Offering a Lifeline to Australian Farmers

Argoon Wind Farm, NSW: “It’s about adapting to survive”

The Argoon Wind Farm project in Australia, offers more than clean energy—it’s helping to secure a stable and sustainable future for local landholders and their families.

Natasha and Alistair Wells have spent nearly three decades cultivating their Marino sheep stud. Located 45 kilometres north of Jerilderie, New South Wales, their farm has been their sanctuary and livelihood, but also the source of significant challenges.

Faced with financial pressures and an industry that has endured volatile markets, droughts, and changing conditions, the couple saw an opportunity for stability and growth in renewable energy. By hosting turbines for Argoon Wind Farm on their property, they’re embracing change and securing a sustainable future for their farm and family.

A Decision Rooted in Necessity and Opportunity

“We moved out here in 1996 when we got married,” Natasha explains. “It’s peaceful, quiet, and a wonderful place to raise kids. But farming is hard. Wool and sheep prices have been dismal in recent years, and we’ve had to battle continuously just to stay afloat.”

With the financial strains mounting, the Wells family made the critical decision to partner with RES, a renewable energy developer. “We could see that renewable energy was inevitable,” Natasha shares. “We had multiple developers approach us, but after thorough research, we chose RES because they took the time to understand our needs and allowed us to negotiate terms that worked for our family and farm.”

For the Wells family, the primary driver was financial security. “The income from hosting the wind farm allows us to address long-standing issues on our farm, like the boxthorn infestation—a pervasive and thorny weed that has plagued this land for generations,” Natasha adds. “With this extra income, we can finally put resources into controlling it and improving our operations.”

Balancing Tradition with Progress

Alistair, whose father and grandfather established the Marino stud, reflects on the farm’s evolution: “The Marino industry has faced tremendous highs and lows. It’s been about adapting to survive. Partnering with RES felt like the right step to continue that legacy.”

The Wells family has worked closely with RES to ensure they can continue farming alongside the turbines, with only 2% of their farming land dedicated to the wind farm. “We’ve negotiated buffer zones to ensure the turbines aren’t too close to our home and designated areas where they won’t be built to protect key parts of our operation,” Alistair explains. “It was a lengthy process, but RES was willing to work through the challenges with us.”

Benefits Beyond the Bottom Line

Beyond financial gains, the Wells family sees other advantages in hosting a wind farm. “It’s about more than just income,” Natasha says. “It’s an opportunity to improve our environment and bring skilled workers to the area, addressing the labour shortages we constantly face.”

The project also represents hope for the next generation. “We have two children, and now there’s a stronger chance one of them might want to return to the farm,” Natasha notes. “The wind farm offers stability, making it a more viable and appealing option for them.”

Renewables and Rural Revival

For Natasha and Alistair, hosting a wind farm is not just about adapting to change—it’s about thriving in the face of it. “The serenity and beauty of this place are what drew us here, and we’ve learned to love the land, even with its challenges,” Natasha reflects. “Renewable energy gives us the means to protect and enhance this environment while ensuring our farm remains sustainable for years to come.”

By embracing renewable energy, the Wells family is securing their legacy, supporting their community, and paving the way for a brighter future—proof that renewables can indeed breathe new life into farms.

Murra Warra Wind Farm, VIC: “This is how we secure a future for our kids and our economy”

Simon and Susan Tickner, owners of a broad-acre grain farm in Western Victoria, exemplify how renewable energy projects like wind farms and transmission lines benefit rural communities. The Tickners host turbines from Murra Warra Wind Farm (developed and constructed by RES) and were recently interviewed on The New Joneses: EPISODE 31 – Good Neighbours: “Farms, Turbines + Transmission Lines” Horsham VIC.

A Thriving Partnership Between Agriculture and Energy

The Tickners’ farm has hosted transmission lines for over 50 years, and more recently, it has become home to wind turbines from the Murra Warra Wind Farm. According to Simon, the presence of these energy projects on their property not only enhances their farm’s value but also diversifies their income.

“It makes property worth more—simple economics,” Simon says. “We’re earning extra income off that plot of land, which increases the overall profitability of our farm.” With just five wind turbines on their property, Simon notes that the revenue effectively doubles the profitability of that particular block,with  minimal land-use disruption.

The impact on farming operations is remarkably low. “We lose about 1.5% of productive area for the turbines,” Simon explains. “We run farm machinery under the turbines and use access tracks that have minimal impact on our grain cropping operations.”

Renewables: A Regional Game-Changer

Beyond the immediate benefits to individual farmers, renewable energy projects are catalysts for broader regional growth. The construction and operation of infrastructure like wind farms and transmission lines inject significant funds into local economies.

“During the build of Murra Warra Stage One in 2018, local towns benefitted massively,” Simon recalls. “Businesses like the engineering shop, the bearing shop, and even casual labour providers saw a boom during what was otherwise a tough farming year.”

The potential for ongoing development in Western Victoria is immense, promising decades of infrastructure projects that bring jobs, apprenticeships, and economic diversity to the region. These projects not only provide income for farmers but also strengthen the social and economic fabric of their communities.

The Bigger Picture: Addressing Climate Change

For Simon, the motivation to embrace renewable energy goes beyond financial gains—it’s about securing a better future for the next generation. “We need to move away from burning fossil fuels and properly embrace renewable energy,” he says. “That’s where the opportunities are for our kids, for future generations, and for our economy.”

Renewable energy infrastructure like wind farms and transmission lines plays a vital role in addressing climate change. These projects enable clean energy to reach consumers while creating jobs and supporting sustainable development.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite the benefits, resistance to new transmission projects is common. Simon acknowledges these challenges but urges a balanced approach. “We need to be sensitive to people’s concerns and work with them,” he says. “But at the same time, we have to recognise that we need power, roads, and infrastructure to sustain our communities.”

The Tickners’ perspective is one of pragmatism and optimism. They see their role as farmers as not just feeding the world but also helping power it sustainably. “Hosting renewables and transmission lines is like farming—it’s about contributing to the world’s needs, whether it’s food or energy,” Simon reflects.

A Win-Win for Farmers and the Future

A Win-Win for Farmers and the Future

Renewable energy projects provide farmers like the Tickners with a reliable, diversified income stream while driving regional development and helping combat climate change. They showcase how rural communities can play a pivotal role in the energy transition, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

As Simon succinctly puts it, “The benefits so far outweigh the costs—it’s not even a comparison. This is how we secure a future for our kids and our economy.”