Neoen acknowledges the Wiradjuri people, Traditional Owners of the land on which Culcairn Solar Farm will harvest and store the energy of the sun. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Community Benefits

Community Benefits

Join the local advisory committee

Neoen is inviting community members living near the Culcairn Solar Farm to volunteer in the LAC for the Community Benefit Fund. Volunteers will serve a three year term, after which Neoen will open another round of applications.

Applications are open from from Tuesday, 20 January until Saturday, 28 February.

Participation in the LAC is entirely voluntary and will not be compensated in cash or kind. To ensure diverse perspectives and fair representation, the Committee will include a mix of community members from various towns and areas, along with a Neoen representative.

There will be a separate LAC comprising representatives from the First Nations communities to allocate grants from our First Nations Fund.

If you have any questions, please contact us on 1800 966 122 or email .

Submit form

Watch this video to hear from an advisory committee member on another Neoen Community Benefit Fund.

COMMUNITY BENEFIt-sharing PROGRAM

We believe in sharing the benefits of renewable energies with the communities we operate in. 
Under the Culcairn Community Benefit-Sharing Program, Neoen is committed to distributing $300,000 every year across our project’s operational lifespan and under the following three streams:
Neoen community 1x1 fund partnerships
First Nations Fund
We fund charities and not-for-profits under an annual, competitive grant process aimed at supporting First Nations Peoples.
Neoen community 1x1 CBF
COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND

We fund not-for-profits and charities under an open, competitive grant process to deliver benefits in six growth areas.

Neoen community 1x1 fund councilcontributions
COUNCIL CONTRIBUTIONS
We allocate $150,000 per year towards the Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Greater Hume Shire Council.

Growth Areas

Neoen community 1x1 focus artsculture.png

ARTS, CULTURE & EVENTS

Fostering creativity and connection in the community through art, culture & community events.

Neoen community 1x1 focus energyemissions.png

Energy efficiency & ENVIRONMENT

We could provide grants to make rooftop solar and batteries more affordable for community centres or for local conservation initiatives.

Neoen community 1x1 focus disasterrelief.png

DISASTER RELIEF & EMERGENCY SERVICES

We can support communities impacted by natural disasters near our project site or to local emergency services groups.

Neoen community 1x1 focus educationtraining.png

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Addressing local skills development and adding value to educational opportunities

Neoen community 1x1 focus firstnations.png

FIRST NATIONS INITIATIVES

We can allocate funds to local First Nations community for heritage conservation and self determined initiatives.

Neoen community 1x1 focus healthwellbeing.png

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Contributing to improved health and wellbeing outcomes in regional communities

First Nations Engagement

Neoen is committed to working with and consulting the Traditional Owners on whose lands it builds and operates its projects. The Wiradjuri People are the Traditional Owners for the lands on which we are currently constructing the Culcairn Solar Farm.

As part of our engagement process during early works, Neoen worked with the Dyiraamalang Girbang Elders to develop a Cultural Induction Video explaining the significance of Country and preserving its cultural heritage. This video is part of our site induction process, ensuring that any jobseeker or supplier working on the solar farm is better informed and develops an appreciation of the land, the people who walked on it before them and anything they discover during construction.

We have also designed an Australian Industry Participation Plan for the solar farm in close collaboration with the different registered aboriginal parties (RAPs) and in accordance with the NSW Government’s planning requirements. This commits Neoen to a range of benefit-sharing measures and ambitious employment targets. Our team is currently delivering these plans with support from our local Indigenous Participation Officer, Ruth Davys.

154A8690
Kaban Completed Artwork 4 2023 01 10 1 1024x768

Artwork

Neoen, under its Sustainability Framework, has a commitment to create an artwork on all its projects with a capacity of over 50 MW. The artwork aims to celebrate renewable energy and local culture.

The Culcairn Solar Farm will also deliver an artwork commitment. Here is an example of an artwork design painted on a wind turbine at another Neoen project in Far North Queensland. 

Artwork Design: Jirrbal Country by Wanirr Godden & Teho Ropeyarn