Community Pre-Development Grants
Does your community group need a boost to help reach your goals? A Delburn Wind Farm Community Pre-Development Grant may assist.
Grant applications open on Monday 14 October 2024 with $10,000 to be shared across local non-profit groups to strengthen and enhance community projects. Applications will be viewed favourably if they contribute to:
- Building sustainable communities
- Enhancing community safety, health and wellbeing
- Supporting community education
- Enhancing the natural environment.
Applications close on Sunday 24 November, so don’t delay. Check the Guidelines on how to apply by visiting the Pre-Development Grant page or call 1800 676 428.
Skilling Up The New Energy Workforce
Delburn Wind Farm is delighted to be partnering with the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre (APRETC) and Federation University to provide scholarships to educate and skill-up Gippsland’s new energy workforce.
APRETC’s expansion into Gippsland is a welcome addition with the increase in employment opportunities in wind power and renewable energy. Together we will work with local communities, students and energy partners to help create a sustainable future.
Community Consultative Committee Update
The members of the Delburn Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee (CCC) and project team meet regularly to discuss progress, provide community input, ask questions and share ideas.
The Neighbourhood Profit Share annual payment of $500,000 was the subject of discussions at the August and September meetings. Members explored ways to fairly allocate and distribute payments to near neighbours. The CCC will continue to discuss the options for fair payments and distribution of funds and recommendations will be shared with the community when they have been prepared.
Your Questions Answered
Q. Will apprenticeships be available to assist young people?
A. Electrical apprentice opportunities with the wind farm operator will be available as part of the maintenance program, once the wind farm is operating. We are currently working with local training and education providers to facilitate pathways for future employment in the renewable energy industry.
Q. Is there a date when community investment will commence?
A. We will offer the community the opportunity to invest in and share the returns generated by the wind farm. Community co-investment will be available when the wind farm is fully operational in 2027. A prospectus will be advertised six months prior to commencement of operations.
Q. Concerns have been raised by community members about tree removals and road works along the Strzelecki Highway. Will any trees be replanted?
A. The road works along the Strzelecki Highway are being delivered by Regional Roads Victoria and have nothing to do with the Delburn Wind Farm. The public road upgrade works are part of a Victorian Government commitment made in the 2022/23 budget following community campaigning for more safe overtaking lanes along this stretch of the highway.
The Delburn Wind Farm was granted approval to clear a small area of native vegetation at the Creamery Road intersection to allow it to be upgraded for the wind farm. We need to re-assess our impacts on native vegetation at this intersection following the Regional Roads clearing works. Prior to the start of construction, we will purchase native vegetation offsets to ensure similar areas of vegetation are protected in perpetuity to offset native vegetation that is required to be cleared for the wind farm’s construction.
