Gunning Wind Farm

Community Engagement and Shared Benefits Program

ACCIONA is committed to improving the social and economic platform of the region and sharing the benefits of the project as widely and equitably as possible to deliver fair outcomes. 

The Gunning Wind Farm Shared Benefits Program will comprise several components:

• Community Benefit Fund
• Small Grants / Sponsorship Program
• Education / Scholarship Program

Community Benefit Fund

The Community Benefit Fund supports services, events and projects which directly benefit the communities in the vicinity of the Gunning Wind Farm. Through this program ACCIONA aims to foster positive partnerships with the local community.  The Community Benefit Fund is supported by the Gunning Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund Advisory Group.  The Group has been formed to:

• provide advice to ACCIONA on how to maximise the impact of projects for the community;
• promote the Community Benefit Fund within the community and encourage the community to participate in existing and new community projects that contribute to achieving longevity and sustainability; 
• represent the interests and preferences of the Gurrundah and surrounding communities, rather than those of individual stakeholders.

Projects which the Community Benefit Fund may support may include community events, improving community facilities, sporting events, disaster relief and arts and cultural initiatives or other projects that benefit the local community.

Small Grants / Sponsorship Program

As part of our commitment to supporting local communities, ACCIONA annually invites community groups to apply for sponsorship funding for projects and events. Funding is available to assist local community groups who make a difference by enhancing the social well being and/or improving environmental educational, cultural or economic outcomes of the local community.

Our sponsorship funding for 2020 has been finalised, however to find out more information, click here.

Education / Scholarship Program

ACCIONA through the Gunning Wind Farm Shared Benefits Program is able to provide a one-time scholarship of up to $5000 for a student wishing to undertake study that will benefit the communities in which they live. Preference is given to those studying Engineering, Science or Agricultural based courses. The scholarship program is open to all students from the Colac Otway Shire area, who have recently completed high school, and are wishing to enter into further study at TAFE or University in 2020.

The 2020 Scholarship program is closed, however to find out more information, click here.

Current Status

Transmission line.

A new 132kV transmission line has been constructed to connect the wind farm to the existing 132kV Yass-Goulburn transmission line. Electricity is generated from turbines at 12kV and is then stepped up at a substation to 132kV to match the existing Yass-Goulburn voltage before connection can be made to the grid.

Cultural heritage.

Since construction of the Gunning Wind Farm was approved in 2004, ACCIONA has undertaken additional cultural heritage surveys of the site. Potentially significant sites were identified and were sub surface tested. Ten artefacts were identified. The transmission line was also surveyed. All artefacts were identified artefacts were salvaged and relocated in accordance with the Aboriginal Affairs Guidelines. No heritage sites were impacted by the wind farm.

The Gunning Pollution Incident Response Management Plan (PIRMP) outlines the incident response and notification process in the event of a pollution incident at Gunning Wind Farm. It has been prepared in accordance with the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act and Regulations.

• Pollution Incident Response Management Plan