Community Enhancement Fund

Ahead of the project becoming fully operational, Biala Wind Farm will establish a Community Enhancement Fund, providing more than $90,000 per annum for community projects.

The amount of funding available each year is set out in the wind farm Development Approval, as issued by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Biala Wind Farm will contribute $2,500 per turbine to towards the fund every year. This contribution will increase with inflation (i.e. CPI adjusted) each year, giving a value for 2022-3 of approximately $3,000 per turbine.

The Community Fund will provide grants to projects, services, facilities or educational assistance located within 20km of the wind farm, which are aimed at:

  1. enhancing any aspect of the local environment; or
  2. benefitting the local community.

For the first three years of operation, community projects within a 5km radius of Biala Wind Farm will be the main funding priority for the Community Fund.

For a map showing the 5km and 20km distances around the wind farm, please click here.

2022 Funding Round

Upper Lachlan Shire Council advises that the Biala Wind Farm Community Fund Funding Round opened for applications on Monday 29 August 2022 and will close at 5.00pm on Friday 14 October 2022.

The Biala Wind Farm Community Fund aims to support initiatives that benefit the local community through projects and initiatives proposed by members of the community through registered or incorporated not for profit organisations that contribute to neighbouring communities within 5kms of the wind farm or, if no suitable community purpose is available with 5kms, then within 20km of a wind turbine on the Biala Wind Farm.

The guidelines and application form are available on the home page of Council’s website: www.upperlachlan.nsw.gov.au/community/grants.

Applications may be submitted by post to: PO Box 42, GUNNING NSW 2581 or emailed to [email protected](link sends e-mail).

For more information, please call Council on (02) 4830 1000.

Colleen Worthy
General Manager
PO Box 42
GUNNING 2581

 

How the fund works

 

Who will administer the Community Enhancement Fund?

A Community Enhancement Fund committee has been established to administer the Fund. The committee is coordinated by Upper Lachlan Shire Council under its Section 355 provisions. The committee is responsible for assessing applications and making recommendations on which should be supported. These recommendations are passed to Upper Lachlan Council’s elected councillors for the final decision. Biala Wind Farm has one member on this committee, alongside two representatives of Upper Lachlan Shire Council and two members of the community.

 

Who can apply to the Community Enhancement Fund?

Members of the community through incorporated or registered not for profit organisations.

 

When will applications open?

This year applications will open after recommendations have been made for the Gullen Range Wind Farm fund. This will enable any unsuccessful applicants to review their application and potentially try again. Applications will be assessed annually.

Council is responsible for advertising the opening of the fund each year.

 

How do I find out more about the Community Enhancement Fund?

We are always happy to provide more information where we can on the Community Enhancement Fund, but but for some questions, it may be necessary to contact Upper Lachlan Shire Council, which operates the fund.