Wind farm investing in community
Initiatives to enhance accessibility, quality and comfort of community spaces are among the big winners of a Wimmera community grants fund.
Twelve organisations received almost $60,000 combined in round two of the Murra Warra Wind Farm 1 Sustainable Community Grants Fund, announced last week.
More than 35 groups applied to the fund, which offers financial support to promote social and environmental sustainability initiatives for the benefit of communities within the Horsham Rural City, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack shires.
Sunnyside Horsham Sporting Club will use its grant to upgrade lighting at its bowling greens, Horsham Lawn Tennis Club will upgrade its tennis court irrigation system and Wimmera HPV Racing will purchase a racing vehicle for adults competing on behalf of the new club.
A grant for Horsham People for Animal Welfare and Support, also known as Horsham PAWS, enables the group to start its ‘Pause on Paws’ program to desex cats across Horsham Rural City and Yarriambiack municipalities.
Solar lighting at Dimboola Art Inc’s Tower Park project, a new drinks fridge at Kalkee Football Netball Club and a smart TV for North Wimmera Fire Brigade’s training program are also among beneficiaries.
In Warracknabeal, the town’s Rotaract Club will upgrade its dog park, Warracknabeal Golf Club will install practice nets among its development initiatives for up to 30 junior members, Warracknabeal Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre will install a split system while the Warracknabeal Band and Scout Hall will install block-out blinds.
A grant for First Warracknabeal Cubs and Scouts will modernise and integrate technology into tracking the development and achievements of members.
Dimboola Art Inc secretary John Nichols said Tower Park, built at the site of the former Dimboola Hotel destroyed by fire in 2003, was almost complete.
“Tower Park will provide our community with a leisure, recreation and events venue that replaces what has been a town eyesore since 2003,” he said.
“This will be a sustainable project, with minimal environmental impact. It will allow educational and community events during evenings and early mornings. It will increase community safety and protect assets.
“It will support tourism and the local economy, and create a sense of pride within the community by transforming the scar of the once-significant landmark in town.”
Sunnyside Horsham Sporting Club’s John Ackland said the bowls club offered a gathering space for people to play sports and socialise.
“The grant will allow greater participation in the sport of lawn bowls and use of the facilities,” he said.
Wimmera Development Association is managing the fund, part of the wind farm’s community investment program.