Community

Community consultation gives us a greater understanding of our community’s opinions, priorities and expectations.

Community Engagement

Community Engagement for us, means regular, genuine contact with local residents, regulators and interest groups. It means listening to feedback, and it means sharing clear information about what we do and our plans for the future.

While the region is largely rural and not heavily populated, the views of our community members are key to helping us operate our business in a responsible manner. We keep in touch with the community through a range of channels including our regular Community Liaison Group meetings.

We also support the local community through partnerships, sponsorships and our annual Community Grants Program.

Employment

Local employment matters to us. We currently employ a team of six people at Waterloo, many of whom live in the local area. Over the time that we have been operating, our employees have become a big part of the community – taking part in local groups, helping out with important causes and putting in the time to explain what the wind farm is about.

We also try to support the economic growth of the region by ensuring money we spend on services goes to local businesses. We look to spend money locally on services such as printing, uniforms, signage and catering.

Enquire about working with us via our Contact Us page.

Community Grants Program

As part of its commitment to make a positive contribution to the local community, Waterloo Wind Farm provides community funding to support locally-based initiatives that deliver positive and sustainable differences to the local community..

The program provides up to $30,000 in funding each year for local initiatives that aim to benefit the community in the areas of diversity, sustainability and environment, health and wellbeing and community participation.

Funding priorities:

Community Diversity: Support for projects that encourage communities to connect and be inclusive of gender, cultures, age groups, nationalities and abilities. This includes events that celebrate culture and traditions, projects that aim to improve multicultural infrastructure, provide support for disadvantaged groups, achieve gender equality, or initiatives that seek to address social isolation and improve access and opportunity for everyone.
Sustainability and Environment: Support for projects that seek to build or enhance community sustainability or the local environment, in particular through the use of renewables, the reduction of waste or via protection of the environment. This includes solar panel installation, recycling at events, school education programs, community gardens and environmental preservation programs.
Health and Wellbeing: Support for projects that seek to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. This may include physical or mental health programs, initiatives that aim to improve sports participation and access, sporting facility upgrades and education programs.
Community Participation and Pride: Support for projects that encourage greater community participation and/or seek to recognise and celebrate the unique attributes of the region. This includes community volunteering initiatives, playground / public space enhancements, community festivals and events and local heritage preservation.

The 2024 Community Grants program is now closed for applications. The 2025 program will open in May 2025. Follow our Facebook page for updates.

The Waterloo Wind Farm Community Grants Program is a management account of the Community Enterprise Charitable Fund ABN 12 102 649 968 (the Fund), The Bendigo Centre, Bendigo VIC 3550. Sandhurst Trustees Limited ABN 16 004 030 737 AFSL 237906, a subsidiary of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178, AFSL 237879, is the trustee of the Fund.

Community Enquiries & Complaints

Waterloo Wind Farm follows a formal process for managing enquiries and complaints. To view our Procedure, please see here.

Email enquiries to community@waterloowindfarm.com.au

Community Liaison Group

Community consultation lets us better understand local opinions, priorities and expectations. In 2011, we established a Community Liaison Group (CLG). The CLG is for interested community members to gain greater access and insight into our operations and developments. Membership is strong and includes a broad cross section of local interests. The CLG has been key to several local programs that contribute directly to the vitality of our local area. New members are welcome to the CLG. You can read the terms and conditions of membership here and to download a membership application form here. (Please note this is an interactive PDF and needs to be downloaded to be completed).