Project Update
Issue #20
SEPTEMBER 2023
At A Glance
Community Benefits Scheme
Community Energy Program - Energy Locals
Rokewood Contact
Job Opportunities
Community Grants
Local project creates local job opportunity!
Rokewood General Store is branching out!
Construction Update
Did you know?
Welcome to the September 2023 Issue of the Golden Plains Wind Farm Community Update
Community Benefits Scheme
The Community Benefits Schemes are experiencing increasing popularity as a greater number of community members are finalising their applications. Our desire is for all eligible residents to recognise and enjoy the advantages they offer, so we strongly urge all individuals to send in an expression of interest. Kindly reach out via email at info@goldenplainswindfarm.com.au You might have the opportunity to take part in any of the programs mentioned below:
Community Energy Program (CEP) Offsite Landscaping Program (OLP) Energy Audit Scheme (EAS)
Community Energy Program - Energy Locals
It’s official! We're partnering with Energy Locals to provide financial savings and environmental benefits to eligible community members, and we will soon be providing the sign-up details If you have already registered your Expression of Interest you will receive an email in the coming weeks, if you haven't yet, contact Mark Bruty or keep an eye on our website and social media for more information.
The Community Energy Program is an initiative of the Golden Plains Wind Farm and Energy Locals. It offers registered dwellings within a 3km radius of wind turbines the chance to offset electricity costs. Switching to Energy Locals can result in up to $1,600 in credits annually, equivalent to an average Victorian home's electricity usage
Are you eligible for the Energy Program?
Now is a fantastic time to share this great initiative with friends, family and neighbours who live in the local areato see if they’re eligible.
Soon, we will also be launching the freeEnergy Audit Scheme, as well as theOff-Site Landscaping ProgramandNeighbour Financial Incentive Program
For more information head to: goldenplainswindfarm.com.au/community
Rokewood Contact
Mark Bruty (Manager –Community Engagement) would love to hear from you! If you want more information on the Community Benefit Schemes or want to share other ideas and initiatives, please contact Mark at markb@w-wind.com.au or on 0491 617 649.
Jobs
Are you looking for work on the Golden Plains Wind Farm?
Golden Plains Wind Farm is generatingemployment opportunities - both directly related to the construction and operation of the wind farm and indirectly through increased demand for goods and services.
Can you provide these services?
Civil and electrical contracting
Earthworks
Safety and fencing
Temporary construction facilities
To enquire now please contact: golden.plains.recruitment@vestas.com
Image of Illabrook and Rokewood Junction Hall, a successful recipient of the Community Grants ProgramCommunity Grants
We are excited to announce the successful recipients of the most recent Community Benefit Grant Funding round:
Illabarook-Rokewood Junction Memorial Hall Trolley for their generator $3,200 Rokewood Primary School Arts and storage project
$1,400 Cape Clear Recreation Reserve Community Tai Chi program
Shelford Primary School Cultural awareness project to install flag poles
$11,500 Rokewood Golf Course Fencing project to rejuvenate the Golf Club
We congratulate the recipients and look forward to following the progress of their projects as they take shape.
We'd like to thank everyone who applied and the Community Reference Group for taking the time to review the applications submitted for this recent round.
Local project creates local job opportunity!
Recently Golden Plains Wind Farm had the pleasure of interviewing local contractor Cody Kirby from CTK Construction based in Dereel Cody, along with a team of 8, completed the upgrade to the local amenity block in the Rokewood main street earlier this year (pictured above).
This upgrade was one of 4 improvement projects funded by the wind farm to improve community safety and convenience. Cody shared his thoughts on the wind farm project, “It’s a great thing that is happening Being a small country town, it’s not just about the wind farm, it’s about the community that comes into the town. For the local shop, pub and the people who live in town, it puts Rokewood on the map and brings new people here, making it bigger than it once was.”
Works on the rundown amenity block began in March. They included the replacement of the urinal, retiling of the men’s bathroom, 3 new coats of render and repainting internally and externally. The works were completed in April. Upgrades on the roof are now being finalised.
Cody believes that this upgrade will benefit the many people that pass-through town and the local businesses of Rokewood He also believes that Golden Plains Wind Farm will positively impact the local community and bring much needed funding for community upgrades He sees this support as a benefit for local sporting clubs and excitingly the employment opportunities the wind farm will generate for members in the community.
Golden Plains Wind Farm would like to thank Cody for taking the time to speak with us and for the amazing work he has done for this project We would also like to extend our thanks to the local team that supported Cody in completing this project:
Image of local amenity block upgrade completed by Cody Kirby from CTK Construction and supporting local businesses Paul Wells from Wells Painting and Decorating, based in Corrindhap/Dereel Mari Hendricks from Hendricks Plumbing based in Buninyong Adrian Pearce with 1 support apprentice from Pearce Rendering based in Cardigan Craig Paxton with 2 support apprentices from Paxton Electrical based in Ross CreekRokewood General Store is branching out!
Construction crews working on the Golden Plains Wind Farm - East are starting their day with full bellies thanks to the new on-site food trailer set up by the Rokewood General Store.
The new trailer, run by Lance Kirby, has been a massive hit with workers of the project Lance and his helper Shane McIntosh have been on-site early each morning to deliver crews with freshly made breakfast and brewed coffee.
Lance commented on how great it wasthat local businesses can play a part in the wind farm project’s delivery and take advantage ofbusiness opportunities produced
“This project is already having a positive impact on our community, even in its early stages, and I see more business opportunities like this opening as the project progresses. The project owners said they would work with the local community and it’s great to see that they’ve made good on this commitment by engaging local businesses like mine”
“The on-site food trailer takes some of the pressure off our store in town, which is getting quite busy each morning, and allows us to now feed the hungry crews from two fronts, rather than just the one. It’s worked out great for us and it’s also meant I’ve been able to put on three extra people, so that’s great from a local job perspective too,” he said
Wind farm crews (form left to right) Alex Tam and Cameron Lubbe (from MPK) Cameron Griffith and Mark Bruty (from WestWind Energy) grabbing a hot breakfast from the project’s new on site food van run by Lance Kirby and Shane McIntosh
