Council
9 August, 2024
Funds flow for seven groups
SEVEN community organisations are set to benefit from the third round of the Berrybank Wind Farm grants program after Corangamite Shire Council moved to approve the allocations at last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
The Berrybank Wind Farm grants are offered to community organisations within 75 kilometres of the wind farm, which covers towns such as Lismore, Derrinallum and Camperdown.
This program began in June 2019 and has since delivered $1.5 million of funding to community infrastructure and projects within the shire.
The projects to receive funding in this round were:
Lismore Cemetery Trust, who received $18,640 for cemetery improvements program;
Lismore Land Protection Group, who were awarded $8000 for restoring connectivity and on-farm biodiversity;
Derrinallum Yacht and Power Boat Club, who received $2000 for purchase of new outboard motor;
Derrinallum Bowls Club who were granted $10,000 for installation of solar panels;
Lismore Bowls Club, who received $6555 for clubhouse repairs;
Western Plains Mobile Preschool, who were awarded $10,000 for installing outdoor seating, storage and a watering shed; and
Camperdown Girl Guides, who were granted $10,000 to fund replacement windows for the guide hall.
Councillor Nick Cole said this year’s allocation from the GPG Berrybank Wind Farm came to a total of $65,195, and the next round is predicted to increase to $100,000
“These grants help a lot, doing small things in the community that are big for them,” he said.
“It’s been a staged increase in funds and next year will be unlocking a fair bit more.
“I look forward to getting more grants.
“It will make the community very happy along the Hamilton Highway.”
Cr Jo Beard said the grants program was always oversubscribed, and the radius meant the program covered a “fair chunk” of the Corangamite Shire area.
“It’s great to see that communities that aren’t necessarily directly in the line of sight of these wind farms are actually still acknowledged to be able to have a go at this grant application,” she said.
“Good on them – stick at it.
“I think it comes down to why we say how important it is that the renewable energy companies give back – there’s some that are legislated that they have to have a significant kickback into the communities.
“Some do it really well, some don’t even have to do it well, but it just goes to show that when they are done well, it’s significant.”