Transgrid calls for funding applications from community groups in NSW

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to deliver valuable services, facilities, activities and events and help make their local communities a better place to live.

Executive General Manager of Major Projects Gordon Taylor said Transgrid invests in local communities where transmission infrastructure is located or under development as part of its commitment to supporting regional NSW.

“Transgrid is delivering the critical infrastructure and priority projects identified by the Commonwealth and NSW governments to enable Australia’s clean energy transition,” Mr Taylor said.

“Regional communities are at the heart of our renewable energy transformation and we are committed to maximising the positive social and economic benefits for everybody.

“Since 2020, over 215 not-for-profit organisations have shared in almost $1 million in grants from our Community Partnerships Program.

“These grants support welfare and disability organisations, charities, neighbourhood centres, schools, sporting clubs, and arts and environmental groups to fund much-needed projects including new and upgraded facilities, services, activities, and events to make their local communities a better place to live.

“Our major projects such as EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West are also providing jobs, support for local businesses, educational opportunities and improved infrastructure in regional communities.”

A record 59 community organisations received funding under Round 1 of the 2023 Community Partnerships Program earlier this year.

Cycling Without Age Australia’s Wagga Wagga chapter received a grant to help purchase their second trishaw to enable them to take more local elderly and disabled residents on rides to enjoy the great outdoors.

Marry Potter Nursing Home resident Joyce Coffey, who is 101 years-old, is one of 750 passengers they have taken on rides since the Wagga Wagga chapter was established in January this year.

“The fresh air, it’s good to feel fresh air,” Ms Coffey said after returning from a ride.

“I would like to thank the volunteers because they do a wonderful job. They get us out of our rooms. I like seeing the flowers and the trees.

“I look forward to it every week. It’s better than just sitting and flopping in the chairs and dozing. It’s no good. I like to go a little bit further. I like to really keep moving.”

Cycling Without Age Wagga Wagga chapter chairperson Helen Sturman said: “We like to take those who are isolated who can no longer ride for themselves out on the trishaw for rides so they can feel the wind in their hair and the sun on their face and reconnect with the local community.

“The trishaws that we ride are imported from Denmark so they’re quite expensive and the Transgrid grant was greatly appreciated as we could put it towards purchasing our second trishaw.”

Carevan Wagga received a Transgrid grant to introduce eco-friendly BioPak food packaging made from sugarcane pulp and plant fibres, as an alternative to plastic meal containers.

The not-for-profit organisation was established in 2018 and provides more than 500 meals each week for the less fortunate via local service providers, churches and community hubs.

Carevan Wagga manager Lynne Graham said: “Our motto is ‘it’s easier to care than to turn away’ and that’s what we do – care for the local community.

“The Transgrid grant is paying for the provision of new environmentally friendly meal containers which are compostable so they can go into the green bins and help reduce waste going to landfill.

“The Transgrid grant has allowed us to buy thousands of these sustainable meal containers. We are very pleased to be able to acknowledge Transgrid in the support for this project.”

Applications for grants of up to $5,000 are open until 30th September. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit: www.transgrid.com.au/cpp

Transgrid media contact:

Mark Nolan 0429 047 136