Community
15 August, 2025
Wind farm supports community groups
THE Berrybank Wind Farm Leverage Grants and Project Grants programs continue to see strong support, with Corangamite Shire Council allocating $99,994 to nine projects.
Eleven submissions were received for the Leverage Grants stream to the value of $225,908 and 18 submissions were received for the Project Grants stream to the value of $130,092.
The Berrybank Wind Farm Grants provide funding for local projects within 75 kilometres of the wind farm.
Councillors voted to allocate the funds during last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, with the Berrybank Wind Farm Grants committee noting while all applications received were worthy of funding, not all of them could be funded under the current round.
The Project Grants stream saw six submissions funded to the value of $44,994.
Lismore Land Protection Group was granted $9995 to restore connectivity and on-farm biodiversity in the Corangamite Lakes Landcare area through revegetation.
Lismore Golf Club received $7199 to purchase a new Greenfields mower.
Mount Elephant Community Management were able to renew Mount Elephant interpretive signage thanks to a $10,000 grant.
Lismore Memorial Bowls Club received $7000 to go towards clubhouse repairs.
Derrinallum Progress Association received $5000 towards the establishment of a community garden.
South West Healthcare (SWH) Lismore Campus received $5800 to fund the Women’s Health Unfiltered: Hormones, Health and Happiness program.
In its report to council, the committee noted the Women’s Health Unfiltered event from South West Healthcare Lismore Campus was eligible for the grant due to a lack of State Government funding for the initiative and the need for such events in the area, despite SWH usually being funded via the State Government.
The Leverage Grant saw three applications funded to the value of $55,000.
Skipton Mechanics Hall received $25,000 to repair the electrical system in the Skipton Hall.
Derrinallum Bowling Club was granted $10,000 to upgrade their garden storage shed.
The Skipton Arts Trail Group will also be able to progress their Skipton Swimming Pool mural thanks to a $20,000 grant.
Councillor Nick Cole said the funding has covered most townships along the Hamilton Highway in addition to Skipton, covering a variety of important community projects.
“One of them was to repair the electrical system in the Skipton Hall,” he said.
“The wiring in the hall was very old and needed updating and repair because it was in danger of burning down.
“It’s a great thing to be able to repair that and get it up to scratch.
“These funds make a big difference to the area – they are trying to do some legacy projects up there and keep the joint swimming along.
“It’s their only way of getting major funds up there and we have this wind turbine factory up there – it’s good they’re contributing locally.”
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