WITH applications for the Golden Plains Wind Farm\u2019s Community Benefit Funding scheme\u2019s latest round open until the end of May, past recipients looked back on how the grant has helped them.<\/p>\n
Through the previous round, members of the Rokewood RSL Sub-Branch received new signage for their Hardie Street hub after previously using it to secure floodlights to help signify the building.<\/p>\n
The branch\u2019s president Brian Dingley said the grant has given them more exposure.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople used to drive past our building which is set 30, 40 metres from the main road,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur front sign was getting a bit dilapidated so between the lights on the building and the sign out front, people actually know it\u2019s there.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe solar-powered floodlights definitely gave us an ease of access, especially at night. The signage was about $750 laser cut from thin steel plate with the branch\u2019s name on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
A wooden sign for the Rokewood branch\u2019s entrance is also on its way courtesy of the grant, and is currently being created by members of the Rokewood Men’s Shed.<\/p>\n
With $215,000 set aside annually for the Community Benefit Fund, it\u2019s expected more than $6.5 million will go towards the community throughout the wind farm project\u2019s lifespan.<\/p>\n
Community groups or projects located within a 10-kilometre radius of the wind farm\u2019s Rokewood location are eligible for the grant\u2019s $20,000 pool.<\/p>\n
Staff at the Rokewood Kindergarten used the grant to get outdoor blinds and equipment for their home corner play space.<\/p>\n
Education leader, supervisor and teacher Megan Young said she\u2019d recommend applying to any group in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d definitely recommend,\u201d she said. \u201cThe wind farm\u2019s been amazing supporters of the kindergarten and I\u2019m sure it\u2019d be the same for any in the community looking for support.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe now have a beautiful outdoor room that can be used in any weather and the home corner equipment has given the children more things to play with.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe home corner equipment would have been between $1500 and a few thousand, and the blinds were $15,000 overall. We applied in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n
Submissions are open until Wednesday, 31 May and to apply visit the Golden Plains Wind Farm website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH applications for the Golden Plains Wind Farm\u2019s Community Benefit Funding scheme\u2019s latest round open until the end of May, past recipients looked back on how the grant has helped them. Through the previous round, members of the Rokewood RSL Sub-Branch received new signage for their Hardie Street hub after previously using it to secure […]<\/p>\n