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Community Sponsorship Program
The Community Sponsorship Program is part of ENGIE’s commitment to supporting the local community and sharing the benefits of the wind farm project.
The target community for the program includes community groups, projects / programs or facilities (Not for Profit*) that are located within or provide a direct benefit to the community within a 20km radius of the Hills of Gold Wind Farm project.
Funding applications must satisfy one of the following:
- Enhance or promote tourism, arts or culture in the local community
- Promote sustainability or enhance the local environment
- Contribute to or improve education and training in the local community
- Contribute to or improve socio-economic conditions in the local community.
We received a number of great submissions for the latest round of ENGIE’s Hills of Gold Wind Farm sponsorship program. You can read about the recipients of the program below.
Community Engagement
The ‘Community Hub’ based at the old Nundle Post Office building on the corner of Oakenville and Jenkins Streets, opened its doors in August 2022, complete with a 3D scale model of the wind farm project.
The Hub provides a convenient and accessible location for the team to meet with members of the community and provide a variety of information displays and project factsheets.
The Community Hub is open weekly on Fridays from 9am to 3pm.
Community Enhancement Fund
The Community Enhancement fund aims to provide financial resources to help improve lifestyle and opportunities for the community.
The fund will be further supported by a commitment of $3,000 (increased from $2,500) per wind turbine per year installed and operating, expected over a period of 25 years.
An Independent Chair will be selected for the committee with neutral project views.
Further details of the fund design will be announced following further engagement to determine the priorities of community members as well as consultation with local councils involved in the project.
Construction Sponsorship Fund
ENGIE is committed to working within the local townships of Nundle and Hanging Rock during the construction period and has committed to a one-off Construction Sponsorship Fund of $150,000 to support community initiatives.
The purpose of the sponsorship fund is to provide support to the local community that benefits both individuals and groups within the area. This may include enhancement to local areas, sporting clubs and facilities, community gardens, scholarships and community events.
Other Initiatives
The Project will also be making additional commitments including pedestrian crossings within Nundle (subject to Tamworth Regional Council approval), traffic reduction schemes, implementation of voluntary speed limits and the provision of the Community Information Hub in Nundle.
Sponsorship Program Recipients
2023 Sponsorship Program Recipients
Congratulations to the successful applicants from the 2023 Hills of Gold Wind Farm Community Sponsorship Program.
Murrurundi Preschool Incorporated
$4,550
ENGIE is pleased to support the Murrurundi Preschool to host an event for families and the local community to get together with markets stalls, food, disco, and an outdoor movie night.
Nundle District Craft Inc.
$7,000
The Nundle craft shop aims to provide a safe and positive space for members to visit and create a range of different products, from cakes and savoury dishes to rustic décor, knitted goods, jewellery and more. The replacement of flooring and shelving will help enhance the space for volunteers, members and visitors to the shop.
All Saints Anglican Church Nundle
$5,450
ENGIE will provide sponsorship to the All Saints Anglican Church to further expand and develop its support for primary school children and their families across the Nundle region, and continue to deliver the Nundle Kids Club program.
Wallabadah Community Association Inc.
$8,000
This sponsorship will contribute towards the installation of stage lighting and a basic audio system at the Wallabadah Hall. The lighting and audio system would allow additional equipment to be connected to cater for music, theatre, movies and other community events.
King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge Inc.
$5,000
The King of the Ranges Stockman's Challenge and Bush Festival showcases the traditional skills of Australian stockmen and women over a three-day challenge to determine who will be the next ‘King of the Ranges.’
The annual event features entertainment and heritage activities including bush poetry and famous folklore, competitions, displays of horsemanship and bushcraft, billy goat cart races, live music, food and more. The festival aims to attract around 4000 visitors from across NSW as well as local residents. ENGIE is pleased to provide sponsorship towards the 2023 event and help support the local community to celebrate Australian bush skills and heritage.
Nundle Campdraft Committee
$10,000
The Nundle Campdraft Committee aims to raise funds for the Nundle Pony Club Grounds maintenance and contributes back in to the local Nundle community. This year’s Nundle Campdraft event aims to attract more than 400 competitors, with people visiting from near and far in previous years, to compete in a series of events held across the weekend event.
Nundle Sport and Recreation Club Ltd
$11,000
The sponsorship provided by ENGIE will allow the Nundle Sport and Recreation Club to renew its building and contents insurance and continue to provide services to its members.
2022 Sponsorship Program Recipients
Congratulations to the successful applicants from the 2022 Hills of Gold Wind Farm Community Sponsorship Program.
Nundle Sport and Recreation Club
$3,000
The Program will sponsor this year's annual Bowls Day and provide funding for a new dishwasher.
Hanging Rock Community Hall Committee
$3,000
The sponsorship funding will go towards a Community and Tourism Project which includes support of community and fundraising events to be held at the Hall, lunches / BBQs, guest speakers to present on topics that are of interest to the community, Hanging Rock Gold Rush History displays, and showcasing of Iocal businesses and crafts through posters, pamphlets and items for sale.
All Saints Anglican Church, Nundle
$3,000
Nundle's All Saints Anglican Church plans to sponsor a Quiz Worx tour to regional primary schools. Quiz Worx is SRE approved and shares the Good News of Jesus with primary school aged kids in schools and churches around Australia through fun and creative shows using puppets, song and colourful visuals.
Nundle Christmas Market
$3,000
ENGIE will provide sponsorship of the Nundle Twilight Christmas Market, enabling visitors to shop for local Christmas gifts, support the local community and get together with other families and community members. The market is aimed at providing the experience of a German-style Christmas market, complete with Christmas lights, music, food and entertainment for children, including a visit from Santa and a re-enactment of the nativity scene. The market will showcase unique, quality-handcrafted products in the gardens of the Nundle Woollen Mill, to be held on November 12, 2022.
Nundle Swimming Club
$3,000
The Program will sponsor the 2022 - 2023 swimming club season, including the Learn to Swim and graduated squad training programs. Nundle Swimming Club is committed to recognising and rewarding young local swimming participants by offering programs with an accredited coach. Participants may be interested in swimming and sport for recreational or social reasons or aspire to be selected for state and national squads.
Pot of Gold Community Association
$3,000
The Program will support the establishment of a Community Foodbank, offering low cost food and grocery items and emergency food parcels to support those who need it the most. Organisers are planning to open the doors two days per week, from October with funding going towards improving the lives of disadvantaged people and families in the community.
NSW Rural Fire Service, Liverpool Range
$2,000
This sponsorship will help the Liverpool Range RFS to complete its mobile catering unit, and take the trailer into the community when and where it is needed, like during fires and other emergencies, training sessions and special events. The unit will be available for 14 brigades to help support local events and deliver meals to the hard-working volunteers and firefighters.