Our move to renewable energy will ensure that everyone has a reliable, affordable supply of power now and for generations to come.
In NSW, regional communities hosting renewable energy and transmission lines will share the financial benefits of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. It will bring new investment, funding and local jobs.
The Community and Employment Benefit Program will contribute to the long-term prosperity of host regions by funding community-led initiatives, public infrastructure and First Nations projects.
The program will continue for many years after the Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) are delivered and will invest hundreds of millions of dollars into regional communities to ensure they receive lasting, transformational benefits.
We are also developing partnerships and programs to support local employment and small business development, including skills development, training and opportunities.
More information about these will be announced and updated on this page.
Central-West Orana REZ open for applications
Grants within the Central-West Orana REZ are now open for applications. Learn more about program eligibility, application process, and grant writing workshop dates below.
Grants within 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.
EnergyCo worked with communities within the Central-West Orana region to ensure the program reflects regional priorities. You can read about the full Consultation Feedback Report below.
The $70 million in funding for Stage One is now available through four grant streams.
The four grant streams are:
- Local Community Fund: $15 million for community and First Nations projects that improve local amenity and foster community connections;
- Local Community Small Grants: $500,000 to support small-scale events, initiatives or projects that deliver tangible benefits for local and First Nations communities;
- First Nations Fund: $10 million for projects that empower local Aboriginal organisations, create job opportunities and enhance outcomes for Aboriginal people (fact sheet); and
- Legacy Infrastructure Fund: $45 million for eligible councils to work with communities to deliver infrastructure projects that boost liveability and drive regional economic development.
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
Please contact [email protected] for information about the Local Community Small Grants eligibility and application process.
Applications are now open.
Please submit your application form through the Smarty Grants portal:
- Apply for the Local Community Fund
- Apply for the First Nations Fund
- Apply for the Legacy Infrastructure Fund
Please contact [email protected] for information about the Local Community Small Grants eligibility and application process.
| Grant stream | Closing date |
|---|---|
| Local Community Fund | 4pm, Tuesday 8 October 2024 |
| First Nations Fund | 4pm, Tuesday 14 July 2026 Applications are temporarily 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 |
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.
One of these sessions was recorded and is available below for those who were unable to attend the in-person workshops.
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.
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.
EnergyCo 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.