News

Dubbo Regional Council in NSW is just one of the local government authorities around Australia that is benefitting from investment created by the clean energy transition occurring within their borders.

Spain-headquartered renewable energy project developer X-ELIO has made an innovative agreement with the Council to help tackle a social housing issue.

As part of X-ELIO’s Forest Glen Solar Farm community plan, the 5-year Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Council includes financing of an ambitious housing program in the region which aims to encourage the development of community housing for people at risk of social exclusion.

X-ELIO said the VPA “represents a firm commitment to address the critical housing needs in the Dubbo Region community and its surroundings”.

A total of $1 million will be made available to successful applicant/s following an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process, to be undertaken later in 2024, aimed at identifying a suitable community housing provider to lead construction of the properties. This EOI process will also assess applicants based on their capacity to manage the welfare of tenants post-construction.

The agreement is flexible so if significant obstacles are encountered in the implementation of the housing program, X-ELIO has committed to allocate the same financial resources to a community benefit fund for Dubbo Region.

Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson said, “This agreement is great news for the Dubbo Region. Not only are we harnessing the potential of renewable energy with the Forest Glen project, but we’re also helping to combat the critical housing shortage being seen both within the region and right across Australia.”

Steffi Fernando, Development Manager of X-ELIO in Australia, added “this social housing program exemplifies X-ELIO’s commitment to the communities in which we operate and of which we feel a part. We would like to thank Dubbo Regional Council for their ongoing commitment to realizing positive benefits from Forest Glen and look forward to being a long-term partner”.

Located 16km west of Dubbo in NSW, the under-construction 110 MW DC/90 MW AC Forest Glen Solar Farm will also include battery storage of 25 MW power output for one hour.

The project is located on an approximately 789ha property and will have a development footprint area of approximately 444ha within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

Dubbo Regional Council residents can also benefit from $70 million of grants made available by the NSW state government as part of its Central West Orana REZ Community and Employment Benefit program.

There are four grant streams:

·         Local Community Small Grants: $500,000 for small scale projects that deliver tangible benefits for local communities.

·         First Nations Fund: $10 million for projects that empower local Aboriginal organisations, create employment and participating opportunities and enhance outcomes for Aboriginal people.

·         Local Community Fund: $15 million to improve local amenities and foster stronger community connections.

·         Legacy Infrastructure Fund: $45 million for eligible Councils to work with communities to deliver infrastructure projects that boost liveability and drive regional economic development.

Council is encouraging community groups to apply for the grants and will be holding grant writing workshops in the coming weeks.