Local projects receive $100,000 in wind farm grants

by | Jul 17, 2024 | WSM

More than $100,000 of community grants have been allocated to not-for-profit groups in the Wimmera under the 2024 Murra Warra Wind Farm Sustainable Community Grants Fund.

Funds will go towards 13 environmentally sustainable community projects in the Hindmarsh, Horsham and Yarriambiack municipalities, which neighbour the Murra Warra Wind Farm.

A $20,000 grant was allocated to the Minyip Recreation Reserve Committee of Management to install a new irrigation system for the junior oval to enable efficient watering. The Horsham Motor Sports Club also received $20,000 to replace their ageing staff/competitor toilets with new energy-friendly facilities.

Other successful grant applicants included the Horsham City Bowling Club for solar panels on its clubhouse and the Wimmera River Improvement Committee to ‘green’ the Wimmera River picnic area.

The Rainbow & District Landcare Group will use its grant to educate and train local land managers and landowners in all aspects of rabbit biology, population monitoring and control methods to help tackle the region’s rabbit problem.

“Rabbits impact agricultural production, damage crops, soils and native vegetation, as well as local biodiversity,” said group secretary, Bernard Young.  “They’ve infested agricultural land, businesses, roadsides and recreational areas, and are encroaching into the urban fringe. Once the participants have completed the training, they’ll be encouraged to share knowledge and mentor other land managers more widely across the district.”

Other 2024 grant recipients include:

  • Dimboola Croquet Club: New watering system for croquet green

  • Dimboola Golf Club: Efficient heating/cooling for clubrooms.

  • Dimboola RSL Sub-Branch: New inside blinds.

  • Laharum Public Hall: Trestle tables to support events like vegetable swaps.

  • Natimuk Climbing Club: For a ‘Kilter Board’ artificial climbing wall.

  • Taylors Lake Football & Netball Club: Solar lighting for storage facility and weather-protected seating at netball court.

  • Warracknabeal Playgroup: Environmental education program for children.

  • Warracknabeal Golf Bowls Club: New landscaping and garden upgrade around the bowling green.

Chris Gulvin, Operations Manager of Squadron Energy’s Murra Warra Wind Farm said the renewable energy company was pleased to once again support an impressive list of projects that would benefit the Wimmera community and environment.

“A big thank you to everyone who applied for the latest round of community grants,” Mr Gulvin said. “Squadron Energy is pleased to support not-for-profit community groups and organisations working to make a positive and lasting contribution to regional communities near the Murra Warra Wind Farm.”

The Murra Warra Wind Farm Sustainable Community Grants Fund is administered by Wimmera Southern Mallee Development and more information can be found at www.wsm.org.au

Media enquiries: Jess Whitworth, WSM Development jess.whitworth@wsm.org.au, 0437 816 505.