Following the call for applications last year, OSMI Australia and Cubico Sustainable Investments are pleased to announce the successful recipients of funds from Delburn Wind Farm’s Pre-Development Community Benefit Fund.
On the recommendation of the project’s Community and Stakeholder Consultative Committee, applications targeting the repair of community assets damaged by the June 2021 storms in Gippsland were encouraged.
The fund was originally established by OSMI, but given the devastation caused by the storms, its development partner Cubico, which will become the Delburn Wind Farm’s long-term owner, matched OSMI’s contribution, demonstrating its commitment to supporting local communities.
The successful grant recipients are:
- Mirboo North Football Netball Club;
- Grand Ridge Rail Trail Committee of Management; and
- Mirboo Country Development Inc (MCDI).
The electronic scoreboard at the Walter J Tuck Recreation Reserve in Mirboo North was irreparably damaged during the storms. The grant will contribute to the purchase of a new electronic scoreboard/bulletin board, with funding also coming from the South Gippsland Shire Council Community Grants program, the Mirboo North Football Netball Club and the Mirboo North Junior Football Club. Installation of the scoreboard will be supported by local businesses Strzelecki Engineering, Prolec Solutions and Piper Plumbing.
In addition to its use in the local football leagues, the new scoreboard has the ability to provide cricket scoring and will also be used to display community information when the reserve is used as a community relief centre for the district or as a staging ground for emergency responders. Two significant land slips occurred in cuttings along the Grand Ridge Rail Trail that runs between Boolarra and Mirboo North during the storms. While the slips themselves have been cleared, the areas where the slips occurred remain unstable. The grant will cover the cost of materials to construct retaining walls to stabilise the cuttings, with construction to be completed by the Wednesday Warriors who spend countless hours maintaining this significant community asset.
A group of local mountain bike enthusiasts are working with MCDI to assess the feasibility of developing mountain biking facilities in the area between Mirboo North, Boolarra and Yinnar. Funds will go to commissioning a feasibility study that will assess the suitability of a number of locations in the area for the development of a mountain bike park, including consultation with the local community and surrounding landowners. This project also has the support of Destination Gippsland, which has been working to increase tourism opportunities associated with the provision of mountain biking experiences across Gippsland.
Quote attributable to David Smith, Head of Australia at Cubico Sustainable Investments:
“Cubico is very proud to be supporting the advancement of these important local projects, particularly during what has been a difficult time for many in the community. We look forward to seeing and celebrating their completion in the near future, as well as working alongside more local people and businesses as we continue to develop Delburn Wind Farm.”
Quotes attributable to grant recipients:
David Knowles, President, Grand Ridge Rail Trail Committee of Management
“The Grand Ridge Rail Trail has incurred substantial damage from severe weather conditions over the past twelve months, which has left the committee searching for funds for repairs. On hearing of our misfortune, OSMI Australia has quickly stepped in to help us make the cutting landslides safer for Trail users. The work will be undertaken during the autumn, before the next bout of winter weather. The Rail Trail committee is grateful for OSMI’s prompt support and community concern.”
Joe Piper, President, MNFNC
“The support of OSMI Australia is greatly appreciated. The strength of Mirboo North relies upon the ongoing support of community minded organisations to provide funding or in-kind materials and labour so that aspirational projects turn into reality. The ability to provide an appropriate multi sports scoreboard / emergency community bulletin board, will assist our community volunteers of all ages and gender.”
Heather Butler, Secretary, MCDI
“Pursuing a mountain bike park in the area presents a great opportunity to bring the communities of Mirboo North, Yinnar and Boolarra together to create a lasting legacy for both locals to enjoy and to attract visitors to our area.” Paul Banks, local outdoor ed teacher and mountain bike enthusiast, who floated the mountain bike park idea via a social media post in May 2020.
“Over 100 comments on my Facebook post asking what people thought about a mountain bike park in the area with nearly all of them positive suggests a real enthusiasm for this idea. Obviously, there are lots of things to work through, but it is great to have MCDI behind the concept. Getting support from the Delburn Wind Farm means we now have some funds to make a start on seeing if we can turn this idea into reality.”
About Cubico
Founded in May 2015, Cubico Sustainable Investments is one of the world’s largest privately-owned renewable energy companies. It is backed by the resources of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Canada’s largest single-profession pension plan, and PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. Cubico’s global portfolio in 12 countries has an installed gross capacity of 3 GW, with a nearly 2 GW development pipeline. Cubico is headquartered in London and has offices in São Paulo and Fortaleza (Brazil), Athens (Greece), Milan (Italy), Stamford (US), Mexico City (Mexico), Madrid (Spain), Bordeaux (France), Sydney and Melbourne (Australia), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Bogotá (Colombia).
www.cubicoinvest.com
