Community spaces energised by solar

AS part of its community engagement and benefit sharing plan Berrybank Wind Farm has funded solar panel installation for a range of Shire community groups.

Meredith Community Centre, Woady Yaloak Kindergarten, Inverleigh Early Learning Centre, Haddon’s Northern Community Centre and kindergarten, Teesdale Children’s Centre, and Bannockburn Family Services Centre have all so far benefited form the program.

It is estimated the 195 panels, installed by Off-Grid Energy Australia, will decrease annual carbon emissions by 98.5 tonnes.

On behalf of Global Power Generation Australia, Berrybank community engagement officer Nathan Micallef said the group takes pride in making positive grassroots impacts to the area surrounding the wind farm.

“In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the installation of rooftop solar systems to local community facilities and low-income housing will significantly decrease their electricity bills,” he said.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby said the municipality is committed to lowering its carbon footprint.

“It’s great to see our community benefiting, with more wind and solar energy thanks to the Berrybank Wind Farm,” she said.

Ain addition the community solar projects GPG Australia is injecting funds into the Teesdale Turtle Bend Reserve, Three Trails, and Northern Streetscape projects.

Social housing in the region is also set to receive solar panels funded by the energy producer.

Berrybank Wind Farm stage one is now complete. Twenty-four turbines have been constructed in the south-west corner of the Golden Plains Shire, and there are almost 20 nearby in the Corangamite local government area.

Stage two of the k project got underway recently, with more turbines to come. Nine are set to be installed in the Shire, while 17 are set for Corangamite.