Turbines spin up cash

Putting it out there: Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Fund committee member Frank Keily and chair Jan Martin last Wednesday told South Gippsland Shire Council of its plans to give $25,000 to one major project in 2020.

WHILE the Bald Hills Wind Farm has sparked considerable angst within the community, there is one positive to come out of the 52 turbine complex: $625,000 for the community over 25 years.
Bald Hills Wind Farm has pledged to give $25,000 a year over 25 years to projects in Walkerville, Tarwin Lower and Venus Bay, via the Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Fund.
Grants are allocated via a volunteer committee comprising local residents: chair Jan Martin and the committee Frank Keily, Ian Gunn, Laurel Grossman, Rob Sandall and South Gippsland Shire Councillor Alyson Skinner.
Ms Martin and Mr Keily told South Gippsland Shire Council last Wednesday grants applications are now open for this year.
Projects funded in the past include a viewing platform at Venus Bay Community Centre, banners for the nippers program at Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club, and animal care costs incurred by Friends of the Venus Bay Peninsula and Tarwin Wildlife Shelter and Rescue.
Grants also funded the purchase of a printing press by Thirsty Works Gallery, and mobility aides for Tarwin Lower and District Community Health Centre.
Come 2020, the committee wishes to give one grant of $25,000 to a major project of benefit to the district.
“If a community group says they have $25,000 in the bank, that will provide excellent leverage to come to a government department for funding,” Ms Martin said.
The committee expects the applicant to have undertaken a feasibility study to prove the project’s benefit to the community.
Ms Martin urged council to consider the availability of $25,000 when considering its priority projects for 2020.
Cr Skinner suggested a project may arise out of council’s Tarwin River Precinct Plan.
Cr Jeremy Rich said he would like to see more Walkerville projects funded and believed the fact grants were available could be advertised more widely.

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Mar 26 2019. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry