Deadline: 29-May-2026
The Taralga Wind Farm Community Fund is part of the Community Enhancement Program linked to the wind farm. It is administered by the Upper Lachlan Shire Council and is designed to ensure that surrounding communities benefit directly from local renewable energy infrastructure.
The fund supports practical, community-driven projects that improve quality of life, strengthen services, and enhance local infrastructure within the defined 20km project area.
Objectives of the Fund
The fund aims to:
- Improve community wellbeing and quality of life
- Support local infrastructure development and upgrades
- Fund new community programs and services
- Enhance access to essential facilities and resources
- Strengthen safety and social cohesion in local communities
- Ensure equitable distribution of wind farm benefits
Eligible Funding Activities
The program provides support for:
- Community equipment purchases
- Construction of new community facilities
- Renovation and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure
- Development of new community programs
- Special initiatives benefiting local residents
- Service and infrastructure improvement projects
All projects must demonstrate clear public benefit and practical community impact.
Geographic Eligibility
Funding is restricted to projects that benefit communities:
- Within a 20km radius of the Taralga Wind Farm
- Located in the Upper Lachlan Local Government Area
The project must clearly demonstrate direct benefit to these eligible communities.
Eligible Applicants
The fund is open to:
- Incorporated associations
- Not-for-profit organisations
Applicants must:
- Deliver projects that benefit eligible communities
- Demonstrate organisational capacity to manage funds and projects
- Provide evidence of community need and alignment
Project Requirements
Eligible projects must:
- Improve quality of life, safety, or access to services
- Demonstrate strong community benefit and relevance
- Avoid duplication of existing services or infrastructure
- Be feasible and well planned
- Show alignment with local priorities and needs
- Have no negative impact on existing services
Evaluation and Selection Process
Applications are assessed through a structured committee review process involving:
- Community representatives
- Upper Lachlan Shire Council delegates
- Representatives of Taralga Wind Farm
Evaluation criteria include:
- Level of community benefit
- Demonstrated community need
- Project feasibility and sustainability
- Applicant capacity and background
- Alignment with local priorities
- Availability of other funding sources or prior support
Additional Assessment Considerations
The selection process also evaluates whether the project:
- Has strong community support
- Avoids duplication of existing services
- Provides measurable and meaningful outcomes
- Aligns with safety and regulatory requirements
- Contributes positively to long-term community wellbeing
Funding Conditions and Compliance
Successful applicants must comply with:
- Financial and legal disclosure requirements
- Submission of quotations for large funding requests
- Approved project scope and budget adherence
- Australian safety and regulatory standards
If project costs are lower than approved funding:
- Applicants may revise the project scope, or
- Return unspent funds to the Community Fund
Reporting and Accountability
Fund recipients are required to:
- Complete standard reporting templates
- Provide transparent financial and progress reports
- Allow audits or record inspections if required
- Submit completion reports on project outcomes
Extensions for project timelines may be granted upon written request to the committee.
Expected Outcomes
The fund is designed to deliver:
- Improved local infrastructure and community facilities
- Enhanced access to services and programs
- Increased community wellbeing and safety
- Stronger local engagement and participation
- Sustainable improvements in quality of life
Why This Fund Matters
The Taralga Wind Farm Community Fund plays a key role in:
- Ensuring local benefit from renewable energy infrastructure
- Supporting grassroots community development
- Strengthening regional services and facilities
- Addressing real community needs through targeted funding
- Promoting long-term sustainable local growth
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Taralga Wind Farm Community Fund?
- It is a funding program supporting community projects within 20km of the Taralga Wind Farm to improve local wellbeing and infrastructure.
- Who administers the fund?
- The Upper Lachlan Shire Council administers the fund in partnership with community and wind farm representatives.
- Who can apply for funding?
- Incorporated associations and not-for-profit organisations serving eligible communities.
- What types of projects are funded?
- Community facilities, infrastructure upgrades, equipment purchases, and local programs.
- What areas are eligible?
- Communities within a 20km radius of the Taralga Wind Farm in the Upper Lachlan Local Government Area.
- How are applications evaluated?
- Based on community benefit, need, feasibility, alignment with local priorities, and applicant capacity.
- Are reporting requirements required after funding?
- Yes, recipients must submit reports, comply with audits, and use standard templates for accountability.
Conclusion
The Taralga Wind Farm Community Fund supports meaningful, community-led development initiatives that enhance wellbeing and infrastructure in surrounding areas. Through structured evaluation and strong accountability measures, the program ensures that wind farm benefits are reinvested into sustainable and locally relevant community improvements.
For more information, visit Upper Lachlan Shire Council.