Grants in the Central-West Orana REZ
On 20 October 2023, the Minister for Energy announced that an initial $128 million would be made available for community and employment benefits in the Central-West Orana REZ over the next four years. Funds have been brought forward so that communities can benefit from the renewable energy transition even before construction begins.
Hundreds of millions of dollars will be made available for community and employment benefits in the Central-West Orana REZ over the next 33 years. The program will be funded from access fees, paid by generation and storage projects with an access right to connect to the network infrastructure.
We worked with communities within the Central-West Orana region to ensure the program reflects regional priorities. Read the full Consultation Feedback Report to learn more.
The $72.1 million in funding for Stage One was made through four grant streams.
- Local Community Fund: $21 million for community and First Nations projects that improve local amenity and foster community connections.
- First Nations Fund: $10 million for projects that empower local Aboriginal organisations, create job opportunities and enhance outcomes for Aboriginal people.
- Local Community Small Grants: $500,000 to support small-scale events, initiatives or projects that deliver tangible benefits for local and First Nations communities.
- Legacy Infrastructure Fund: $45 million for eligible councils to work with communities to deliver infrastructure projects that boost liveability and drive regional economic development.
Grant application details
Application dates
| Grant stream | Closing date |
|---|---|
| Local Community Fund | Applications closed 4pm, Tuesday 8 October 2024 |
| First Nations Fund | Applications are now closed, as submitted applications exceed total FNF funding. Applications may be reopened following the eligibility assessment of submitted applications. |
| Legacy Infrastructure Fund | Applications closed 4pm, Friday 13 September 2024 |
Who can apply
Detailed Grant Guidelines for the Local Community Fund, the First Nations Fund and the Legacy Infrastructure Fund are available below:
- Local Community Fund Grant Guidelines
- First Nations Fund Grant Guidelines
- Legacy Infrastructure Fund Grant Guidelines
How to apply
All grant applications are currently closed.
To stay up to date with future funding opportunities within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, sign up to the Central-West Orana REZ newsletter.
Support is available
During consultation, members of the Central-West Orana community made it clear that support is needed to ensure community groups can submit the most competitive grant application possible.
EnergyCo has acted on this feedback and, together with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, provided five grant writing workshops across the Central-West Orana REZ to assist Local Community Fund applicants.
EnergyCo is also providing dedicated, tailored support for First Nations Fund applicants. This support is available to applicants following the submission of Part A of the application form.
Watch the Local Community Fund Grant Writing Workshop webinar.
Grant recipients for Central-West Orana REZ
| Applicant | Project title | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Binnaway PAH&I Association Incorporated | New, accessible amenities for Binnaway Showground | $378,798 |
| Burrendong Arboretum Land Manager | Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum Rejuvenation. Upgrading key infrastructure to secure its future, and deliver enhanced environmental conservation, education & recreation services to the community. | $992,762 |
| Cassilis Bowling Club Ltd | Cassilis Bowling Club – Looking to the future by creating accessible, comfortable, and energy efficient spaces for everyone in our community. | $941,042.11 |
| Cassilis District Development Group | Stage 2 Building Connections: A Universal Designed Community Centre for Rural Resilience in Cassilis NSW | $996,088.44 |
| Cassilis District Development Group Incorporated | New wastewater disposal system and upgrade of electrical supply to community assets at Cassilis War Memorial Park for health, safety and preparedness for future building. | $778,170.63 |
| Cerebral Palsy Alliance | Cerebral Palsy Alliance Dubbo Centre for Disability | $245,150.42 |
| Coolah Amateur Swimming Club Inc | Shade the Swimmers | $151,845.69 |
| Coolah Showground and Recreation Land Manager | POWER, LIGHTS, ACTION! "Power" the grounds, "Light" the Arenas, Let the Campdraft, Rodeo and Concert "Action" commence in Coolah | $563,475 |
| Dunedoo Sports Club Ltd | Lights On In Dunedoo for Brighter, Bigger & Safer Community Spaces! | $519,759.47 |
| Dubbo Junior AFL Club | Upgrade of Old Girl Guide Hall to be a Welcoming, Accessible AFL Club House | $549,730.8 |
| Dubbo Show Society Incorporated | Bird Netting for the Dubbo Showground Grandstand and Ewen MacInnes and Expo Pavilion | $230,580 |
| Dubbo Show Society Incorporated | Upgrade of External Track Lighting and Arena Lighting - Dubbo Showground | $617,292.1 |
| Dunedoo Pre-School Kindergarten Inc. | Landscaping & Play Equipment Upgrade (L&PE) - Dunedoo Preschool Kindergarten Inc. | $310,260.5 |
| Elong & District Progress Association | Elong Public Hall Upgrade | $667,980.2 |
| Gilgandra Shire Council | Gilgandra Region RFDS Health Hub | $433,437.5 |
| Lake Windamere Under Canvas Camping Inc. | Disability Care/Accommodation Building | $101,490.84 |
| LeaderLife Limited | LeaderLife: Let's Grow Good Food and Good Kids | $503,517 |
| Leadville Community Association Inc | Leadville Hall Infrastructure Project | $295,430.88 |
| Mendooran Preschool Inc | Multipurpose Community Early Intervention Hub | $464,237.4 |
| Marathon Health Ltd | Mudgee Flying Start | $982,045.9 |
| Mid Macquarie Landcare Inc | Project BBBB (Bats/Beaks/Bills/Bears) | $276,219.6 |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | Billy Dunn Gulgong Sporting Complex Improvements | $995,000 |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | Gulgong Youth Centre Refurbishment | $342,150 |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | Putta Bucca Wetlands Redevelopment Project: A Rewilding Initiative | $500,000 |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | Lady Gowrie NSW Mudgee Early Education & Care Centre Expansion | $1,000,000 |
| Mudgee Arts Council | Kildallon Events Calendar | $164,340 |
| NSW - Central West Muslims Association Incorporated | Extension of NSWCWMA Community Hall and Accommodation Facilities | $623,772.73 |
| Orana Early Childhood Intervention and Education Project Inc | Resurfacing and installation of drainage to outdoor play area. | $97,605.54 |
| Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Ltd | PCYC Dubbo Gymnastics Upgrade & Youth Program Enhancement | $159,713 |
| Pathways Together Aboriginal Corporation | Ican Nursery Upgrade | $802,221.38 |
| Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Ltd | Extension of PCYC Wellington with gymnastics fit out | $873,325 |
| The Black Stump Craft Shop Inc | Launch The Black Stump Craft Shop into the 21st Century | $173,264.43 |
| Turill Community Committee and Sports Clubs Inc | Turill Community Hall Renovation and Air Conditioning | $135,034.3 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Bowen Oval, Coolah upgrade of recreational facilities and amenities | $786,510.01 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Upgrade of Community Sporting and Recreation infrastructure at Robertson Oval Dunedoo | $443,839.5 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Milling Park - upgrade existing playground incorporating adventure playground elements and sensory garden. | $893,750 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Providing key community infrastructure in Coolah by upgrading Park and Playground Equipment at McMaster Park Coolah | $819,720 |
| Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society Inc (WATS) | Refurbishment of Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society Building, WATS Place: Breathing New Life into the Performing Arts in Wellington | $221,142.92 |
| Wellington Show Society Inc | Upgrade of Kitchen and Bar - Wellington Showground | $271,527.28 |
| sHedway Limited | Woolly Conversations – raising the baa in suicide prevention and positive mental health with the shearing industry of the Central West Orana Zone | $472,620 |
| Applicant | Project title |
|---|---|
| Dubbo Local Aboriginal Lands Council | Strengthening Culture, Community and Economic Opportunity for Aboriginal People |
| Gilgandra Local Aboriginal Land Council | Gilgandra Local Social Housing Roof Restorations |
| Gilgandra Local Aboriginal Land Council | Developing community spaces for cohesion and connectability |
| Oyster Tribe Aboriginal Corporation | Wiradjuri Aboriginal Youth Connection to Culture |
| Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council | Nanima Village Old School Restoration |
| Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council | Housing for Aboriginal community of Wellington. Plan and build a duplex (containing two 2-bedroom dwellings), Maxwell St, Wellington |
| Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council | Cultural Heritage and Tourism Officer WLALC Employee - A New role at the Cultural Centre to create a vibrant agenda for activities for the community |
| Wiradjuri Wellington Aboriginal Town Common Aboriginal Corporation | Town Common Aboriginal Historical Site Restoration and Land Rehabilitation |
| Applicant | Project title | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Green Canoe Inc | Creating Resilience through Recreation: strengthening women and communities around the Wambuul Macquarie River | $16,559.66 |
| Dunedoo Amateur Swimming Club Inc | Lane ropes and lane ropes reel replacement | $10,007.43 |
| Dubbo Waratahs Sports Aboriginal Corporation | Dubbo Waratahs Ruby League Knock Out | $15,000 |
| Regional Development Australia Orana | The MAWA Compact and Framework | $26,910 |
| Kanandah Retirement Ltd | Ensuring Resident Security and Safety at Kanandah Aged Care | $38,000 |
| Lifeskills Plus Incorporated | Lifeskills Plus Inclusive Community Centre | $44,640 |
| Destination Country and Outback NSW Ltd | Dubbo Visitor Accommodation Business Case: Assessing the impacts on the visitor economy expected from REZ projects + developing strategies to attract investment to Dubbo | $45,000 |
| Mudgee Wine Association | Mudgee Wine Association Industry Strategy | $45,000 |
| Dunedoo Pre-School Kindergarten Inc | Fit Out Equipment for New Classroom Facility (to provide Health, Inclusion and Early Education to Dunedoo and the surrounding community) | $47,762.06 |
| Coolah District Development Group | Engage professionals to prepare a business case for a proposed Visitor and Community Centre to house a Historical, Agricultural and Cultural Museum in Coolah. | $49,500 |
| Elong Elong RFS | Elong Elong RFS fire fighting water supply | $20,999 |
| Binnaway Tennis Club Incorporated | Binnaway Community free kids’ tennis coaching sessions | $3,250 |
| Binnaway PAH&I Association incorporated | Binnaway show week community events | $20,000 |
| Gulgong Hostel Association Inc t/a Wenonah Lodge & Wenonah Community Care | Serenity Garden Project | $14,063 |
| Ballimore Recreation Reserve Land Manager | Updated Whitegoods for Canteen | $15,250 |
| Burrendong Arboretum Land Manager | Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum EcoTourism Feasibility Assessment | $49,665 |
| Watershed Landcare Group Incorporated | Yindyamarra, Gulgong Community Connections Program | $33,660 |
Funding for the Local Community Small Grants will only be committed after we execute a funding deed with a recipient.
Once we execute the funding deed, more information will be available on the NSW Grants and Funding website.
Funding for the Legacy Infrastructure Fund will only be committed after we execute a funding deed with a recipient.
Once we execute the funding deed, more information will be available on the NSW Grants and Funding website.
| Applicant | Project title | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Dubbo Regional Council | REACT Centre Training Facility (Stage 1A) | $11,238,476.83 |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | Mudgee Key Worker Housing Construction | $11,250,000 |
| Upper Hunter Shire Council | Cassilis Sewerage Treatment Plant | $9,769,518 |
| Upper Hunter Shire Council | Cassilis Footbridge, Pathways and Landscaping | $1,387,915 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Dunedoo Sullivan Street Independent Living project | $3,115,365.75 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Coolah Sewage Treatment Plant | $3,932,200 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Dunedoo Sewage Treatment Plant | $2,940,000 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Dunedoo Water Supply Scheme | $658,455 |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Coolah Water Supply Scheme | $500,000 |
Video and photos
More information
We recognise that hosting renewable energy infrastructure represents real change for those living and working in REZs across NSW. That is why we are providing support to communities in the REZs to deliver lasting, tangible benefits.
Further information on the program is available in the Community and Employment Benefit Program Policy Paper.
We are also developing partnerships and programs to support local employment and small business development, including skills development, training and opportunities.
More information on the next stages of community benefits will be announced in the coming months.
We hosted a series of consultation events across the region between February and March 2024 to inform program design and ensure the funding is allocated to reflect community priorities, building on previous consultation work.
Consultation included an online briefing and Q&A session, six facilitated stakeholder workshops, eight community drop-in sessions and an online survey which received more than 140 responses.
You can read more about the key findings from the consultation in the links below.
Get in touch with EnergyCo
1800 118 894 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
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