Grants aim to back lasting legacies

WESTERN Renewables Link (WRL) proponent AusNet is offering grants of up to $300,000 for community groups, sporting clubs and volunteer organisations to help pay for local projects.

The WRL Benefit Sharing Program aims to respond to ‘challenges’ confronting people affected by the proposed transmission line.

“Communities have told us they want to see practical benefits delivered early and shaped around local priorities,” WRL project executive Michael Learmonth said.

“The Local Grants Fund is about backing ambitious, community-led ideas that create a lasting legacy, whether that’s improving shared spaces such as playgrounds, parks or sports grounds, supporting nature conservation through tree planting programs, strengthening emergency preparedness or helping communities improve energy resilience.

“Importantly, applying for or receiving a grant does not indicate support for WRL and doesn’t affect anyone’s right to oppose the project.”

Applications for grants of up to $50,000 for smaller initiatives through to $300,000 for larger projects that address local priorities and strengthen communities will be considered.

Funding will be delivered even if the project does not proceed and grant writing workshops are being held throughout April to assist applicants, with more information available on the WRL website.

Applications opened on 31 March and will close on Tuesday 30 June.

The controversial project proposes a 190-kilometre overhead high-voltage electricity transmission line that will carry renewable energy from Bulgana in western Victoria to Sydenham in Melbourne’s north-west.

Its route would take it through the Ballarat, Moorabool, Hepburn and Pyrenees municipalities and has attracted fierce opposition, primarily from farmers and other landowners who object to transmission towers being erected on their properties.

The Ballarat and Moorabool councils have both argued that transmission lines should be installed underground wherever possible.

Committee for Ballarat chief executive Michael Poulton believes the grants are an opportunity for communities.

“The WRL Local Grants Fund is an opportunity that will energise local communities and strengthen regional participation in the energy transition,” he said.

“Rarely do communities have such an opportunity and with grants up to $300,000 available, so much is possible.”

The Waubra community recently received a $200,000 grant to go towards a new playground, with local mother Brianna Edmonston saying the grants will make a real difference to communities like hers.

“WRL’s contribution to our playground project has made a dream a reality for the Waubra community,” she said. “It’s created a space where local families can come together, and something our kids will enjoy for years to come.

“The Local Grants Fund is a great opportunity for small communities like ours to bring ideas to life that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to do on our own.”