Goulburn River Solar Farm Community Enhancement Fund Advisory Committe

The Goulburn River Solar Farm Community Enhancement Fund Advisory Committee has been established by Upper Hunter Shire Council to make recommendations regarding the use of community contributions made by Goulburn River Fund Pty Ltd in accordance with a planning agreement between Goulburn River Fund Pty Ltd and Council. 

Incorporated or registered not-for-profit associations and Crown Reserve Trusts are invited to submit funding proposals (grant applications), for the committee’s consideration, for community projects, programs, public infrastructure and services that benefit the community within 30km of the solar farm, including Merriwa township.

Grant eligibility criteria:

  1. Recipients must be an incorporated or registered not-for-profit association, or a local council or a Crown Reserve Trust;
  2. A grant application must be able to demonstrate that funds will be used for a public purpose that benefits the community within approximately 30 km of the solar farm, including Merriwa township. Grants for projects outside the 30 km radius may also be considered provided they can show a degree of benefit within the 30 km criterion. A ‘public purpose’ includes the provision of public amenities, public services, affordable housing, transport or other infrastructure, monitoring of planning impacts of development and environmental conservation.
  3. Community-initiated projects potentially eligible include (but are not limited to):
  • projects for the conservation or enhancement of the natural environment;
  • provision of public domain infrastructure and services such as recreational, sporting and community facilities as well as disabled access, car parking, toilets, footpaths, and streetscapes;
  • funds for improving rural community mobile phone and internet services;
  • support to assist medical practitioners reside in local towns;
  • mobile outreach health services;
  • support to assist medical specialists fly in from the city to run clinics;
  • support for physical health programs, for example obesity/diabetes/drugs;
  • support for mental health programs;
  • support for the construction and management of aged care units and to assist the financially disadvantaged gain entry into such facilities;
  • support for the provision of Council-run aged care/community transport vehicles;
  • child care and preschool facilities;
  • improvements to drainage structures and waste management services;
  • upgrades and recurrent expenditure funding of public facilities such as libraries, community halls, aquatic centres and childcare facilities;
  • monitoring of the planning impacts of development and project-related technical resource capacity;
  • masterplans for LGA development;
  • tourist displays, including (but not limited to) with regard to indigenous and non- indigenous regional heritage; and
  • renewable energy projects.

To submit a funding proposal, please complete the following form and include all necessary supporting documentation. The proposal will be referred to the advisory committee for consideration at its next meeting.

Online Form

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