Mainstream Renewable Power (“Mainstream”) and Someva Renewables (“Someva”), the renewable companies jointly awarded a permit to investigate a wind farm at Sunny Corner State Forest, are encouraging local residents to contribute to a new survey on community opportunities and benefits.
The survey is focused on gathering community input to shape the development of a Community Benefits Program for the proposed Sunny Corner Wind Farm and follows an initial community survey in August.
The Community Benefits Program will include a range of elements such as tailored annual Community Benefit Funds, direct Neighbour Benefits, support for First Nations groups, and partnership with local councils. It aims to ensure the project supports the prosperity of the region through initiatives such as grants and sponsorships, energy efficiency upgrades, enhanced community services, local job creation and improved bushfire response capabilities.
The survey, which takes approximately five minutes to complete, can be accessed online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SunnyCornerBenefits.
Jamie Chivers, Managing Director of Someva Renewables, highlighted the importance of local perspectives in shaping the program.
“Our priority is ensuring the Sunny Corner Wind Farm operates in harmony with forestry operations and recreational activities and delivers real, long-term benefits for the community. This survey is an opportunity for locals to tell us how they believe these funds should be distributed, which local opportunities should be prioritised, and how we can ensure the program is truly reflective of community needs. By working together, we can build a program that delivers real value to the local community for decades to come.”
“This is the next step in our ongoing consultation and collaboration with the community. The feedback we’ve received to date has been invaluable, and we are eager to continue listening and incorporating the community’s voice into every stage of this proposed project.”
In May, Forestry Corporation of NSW announced Someva and Mainstream were awarded a permit to explore a wind farm in Sunny Corner State Forest. If approved, the wind farm will generate about 500MW of electricity – enough to power up to 300,000 homes with affordable, clean, and reliable energy for 30 years.
This survey is part of ongoing an ongoing consultation program by Mainstream and Someva. Since the announcement of the investigative permit, Someva and Mainstream have hosted drop-in information
hubs at Portland Library, held meetings with the Sunny Corner Progress Association, First Nations and community groups; conducted face-to-face introductions and door knocks in the Sunny Corner, Dark Corner and Yetholme areas, and responded directly to communication from community members.
Someva and Mainstream are continuing preliminary investigations, with further consultation and information hubs to come.
All responses to the survey will be handled in accordance with Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 and the Ethical Guidelines of the Australian Evaluation Society.
Stay up to date on the investigation of Sunny Corner Wind Farm by visiting www.somevarenewables.com.au/sunnycorner, or by emailing community@someva.com.au.
For media interviews with Someva Renewables’ Managing Director Jamie Chivers contact:
Chris Williams, 0480 386 879, chris@kaizenco.au
