Pumped hydro community benefits flow

Community groups near the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project can now apply for $10,000 grants thanks to the Queensland Hydro’s Community Benefits Program launch.

The Borumba Project is a proposed $14.2 billion pumped hydro energy storage project in Queensland that will create jobs, boost the regional economy and support the transition to renewable energy.

The Community Benefits Program’s main deliverable is the newly established Community Grants Program. This 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 embodies the organisation’s commitment to invest in the communities near its proposed projects and 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 region’s social, environmental and economic wellbeing,” Mr Scott 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 how we benefit their community.

“We’re proud to finalise the Community Benefits Program and launch the new Community Grants Program for our Borumba Project.”

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
• 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. An independent assessor selected the panel members 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,” Mr Scott 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 we believe in and will continue to work productively with the community on all aspects of the project.”

Queensland Hydro encourages local community groups and organisations to apply for grants and to tell it how the regional investments from the 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 here.

Image: Cameron Mcdonald/peopleimages.com/stock.adobe.com

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