New grants funding package launched for pumped hydro community benefits.
Community groups near the proposed Borumba Project can now apply for $10,000 grants.
Community groups near the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project are now able to apply for $10,000 grants thanks to the launch of the Queensland Hydro’s Community Benefits Program.
The Borumba Project is a proposed $14.2 billion pumped hydro energy storage project that will create jobs, boost the regional economy and support the transition to renewable energy in Queensland. Read more about the Project here.
The main deliverable of the Community Benefits Program is the newly established Community Grants Program. The Community Grants Program is designed to deliver grassroots funding to communities for initiatives that benefit the regions surrounding the proposed Borumba Project.
Queensland Hydro’s Executive General Manager, Delivery, Geoff Scott, said that the Community Grants Program brings to life the organisation’s commitment to invest in the communities that are located near its proposed projects and to focus on initiatives that are meaningful to locals.
“Queensland Hydro is approaching the Borumba Project in a way that it can positively contribute to the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the region,” Geoff said.
“Earlier this year, we asked for feedback on our draft Community Benefits Framework – a foundational document that underpins our Community Benefits Program. After extensive consultation through workshops and surveys, we received some excellent ideas from the community.
“We’ve incorporated these ideas to ensure that local voices are represented in the way that we deliver benefits for their community.
"We’re proud to finalise the Community Benefits Program and launch the new Community Grants Program for our Borumba Project.”
Access the Community Benefits Framework here.
About the Community Grants Program
The community-led funding program will provide up to $10,000 (ex GST) per grant to eligible community groups and organisations for initiatives that align with one or more of the following themes:
- economy and education
- health and wellbeing
- environment and sustainability, and
- culture and connection.
Applications will be assessed by the newly established Community Grants Panel, which includes eight local community members, who will make recommendations to Queensland Hydro for funding. The Panel members were selected by an independent assessor after an open Expression of Interest process earlier this year.
“The establishment of a community-led assessment panel will mean that benefits from our Project are decided for the community, by the community,” Geoff said.
“Pumped hydro is unquestionably the right technology to enable Queensland’s clean energy transition. If approved, these Queensland assets will be in operation for 100-years so working productively with the community on all aspects of the Project is something we believe in and will continue to do.”
Queensland Hydro encourages local community groups and organisations to apply for the grants and to tell us how the regional investments from our project can make a difference in their community.
Applications for the first round of grants are open for six weeks from Monday 2 September 2024, closing on Friday 11 October 2024.
Application information, dates and eligibility criteria can be found by clicking here.
First published 4 September 2024.
