Central-West Orana REZ Community and Employment Benefit Program

Key details

The Community and Employment Benefit Program contributes to the long-term prosperity of the Central-West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) region by funding legacy infrastructure, education and training programs and First Nations projects.

The Central West Orana REZ program was announced in July 2024 and is now delivering community projects, legacy infrastructure and initiatives for First Nations communities as part of a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Old Gulgong Fire Station - Community and Employment Benefit Program recipient

Grant recipients for Central-West Orana REZ

Local Community Fund

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	$549,730.80
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	$617,292.10
Dunedoo Pre-School Kindergarten Inc.	Landscaping & Play Equipment Upgrade (L&PE) - Dunedoo Preschool Kindergarten Inc.	$310,260.50
Elong & District Progress Association	Elong Public Hall Upgrade	$667,980.20
Gilgandra Shire Council	Gilgandra Region RFDS Health Hub	$433,437.50
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	$464,237.40
Marathon Health Ltd	Mudgee Flying Start	$982,045.90
Mid Macquarie Landcare Inc	Project BBBB (Bats/Beaks/Bills/Bears)	$276,219.60
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	$135,034.30
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	$443,839.50
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

First Nations Fund

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

Local Community Small Grants Fund

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

Legacy Infrastructure Fund

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

Download fact sheets by region

Cassilis (PDF, 1.29 MB)
Coolah (PDF, 973 KB)
Dunedoo (PDF, 809 KB )
Elong Elong and Ballimore (PDF, 980 KB)
Gulgong (PDF, 1.12 MB)
Mudgee (PDF, 967 KB)
Wellington (PDF, 955 KB)

Fitting out a new classroom at Dunedoo Pre-School Kindergarten with a therapy room and specialised equipment to provide health services, inclusion and early education.
Upgrading the community hall in Leadville, improving the kitchen, stage area, heating and lighting to increase useability and comfort.
Adding shade sails to each end of Coolah Swimming Pool and providing equipment such as lane ropes to Dunedoo Amateur Swimming Club.
Cassilis Sewerage Treatment Plant
Dunedoo Sewage Treatment Plant upgrades and refurbishment

How the Community and Employment Benefit Program is supporting Dunedoo Swimming Club

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Watch: The Community and Employment Benefit Program for Central-West Orana

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Grants in the Central-West Orana REZ

On 20 October 2023, the Minister for Energy announced that an initial $128.4 million would be made available for community and employment benefits in the Central-West Orana REZ until the end of 2028.

The program is funded from access fees, paid by generation and storage projects with an access right to connect to the network infrastructure. Millions of dollars will be made available for community and employment benefits in the Central-West Orana REZ over the next 33 years.

Instead of waiting for funds to be generated, EnergyCo has brought the program forward so that communities can benefit from the renewable energy transition even before construction begins.

$76.5 million in funding for Stage One was made available through 4 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

Who could apply

Detailed Grant Guidelines for the Local Community Fund, the First Nations Fund and the Legacy Infrastructure Fund are available below:

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 or our EnergyCo-wide Powering NSW newsletter.

Grant writing support

We acted on community feedback and, together with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, provided 5 grant writing workshops across the Central-West Orana REZ to assist Local Community Fund applicants.

We also provided dedicated, tailored support for First Nations Fund applicants. This support was available to applicants following the submission of Part A of the application form.

Watch the Local Community Fund Grant Writing Workshop webinar.

Consultation Feedback Report

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, 6 facilitated stakeholder workshops, 8 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.

View the Consultation Feedback Report.

View the Consultation Feedback Report Summary.