Community benefit fund
The Devlins Bridge Wind Farm includes a Community Benefit fund of approximately $620,000 per annum, commencing from the start of construction and continuing for the life of the project.
In line with the DPHI Benefit Sharing Guideline the fund provides $1050 per mw and is designed to deliver fair, transparent and locally relevant benefits to the communities hosting the project as well as the broader region.
Community Input
Over the past two years, we have been engaging with the local community to understand what matters most and the Community Benefit Fund should be structured. Feedback recieved has highlighted strong support for initiatives like:
- Sponsorships for local community groups
- Electricity bill credit programs
- Environmental and sustainability initiatives
- Indigenous benefit and capacity-building programs
- Scholarships and education support for TAFE and university students
This feedback has helped shape the structure of the Community Benefit Fund to ensure it aligns with the policy principals in the DPHI Benefit-Sharing Guideline while reflecting local priorities and delivering lasting benefit to the community.
Governance and Administration
The Community Benefit Fund will be administered by Narrandera Shire Council (NSC) as part of the project's Voluntary Planning Agreement.
A Community Reference Group (CRG) will be established to provide input into funding priorities and decision-making. The CRG will include representatives from local councils and community to help ensure the fund is delivered transparently and in line with community needs.
Funding will support intiatives that benefit both the communities closest to the project and the broader community.
Structure of the Fund
The Community Benefit Fund will be delivered through three funding streams:
- Neighbourhood Benefits - focussed on communities closest to the wind farm
- Indigenous Benefits - focussed on Aboriginal-led initiatives
- Local Community Benefits - supporting a range of initiatives across the broader community
Neighbourhood Benefits
Funding is available for initiatives that benefit the communities within 12km of the wind farm, supporting programs that respond to locally identified priorities and deliver direct community benefit. These could include the Electricity Bill Credit program, scholarships and community grants.
Indigenous Benefits
Funding is available to local Aboriginal groups and Indigenous not-for-profit organisations to support Aboriginal-led initiatives that deliver lasting social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes for Aboriginal people in the region. Funding priorities and allocations will be informed through consultation with representatives from Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
Local Community Benefits
The Local Community Benefits stream will support initiatives across the broader community. This stream is intended to deliver wider benefits aligned with community priorities and lasting legacy outcomes.
Funding may support:
- Community groups and not-for-profit organisations
- Aboriginal groups and Indigenous-led initiatives
- Council-led community enhancement projects