Community
Find below detailed information about the comprehensive Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan associated to the project during the Construction and Operation phases.
Community Engagement and Benefits Sharing Plan (CEBSP)
As part of the commitments associated to Berrybank 1 Wind Farm project, an ambitious Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan was implemented at the beginning of February 2019, once approved by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning of the State of Victoria (DELWP).
This plan was designed based on reference guides such the ones respectively published by DELWP and the Clean Energy Council. Best practice community engagement is a core part of our corporate philosophy and approach to business according to our Corporate Responsibility Policy, which incorporates commitments to society, sustainability and social commitment in all of our mother company around the world:
We are continuously working to translate these principles into real, tangible action in the Berrybank region through a clear plan for continued effective engagement as the wind farm is built and operated. Our approach is motivated by a strong commitment to engage with the Berrybank community during the all project phases and aimed to continue building a social license to operate with wide-ranging positive impacts across the region.
Community Benefits and Commitments
The phase 1 of the Berrybank project, awarded in 2018 by the Victorian Government and is currently under construction, has already let us to build strong and trustable relationships with the community that will surround the wind farm as well as with all the relevant stakeholders through the implementation of our Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan. Considerable funding from our company is supporting the delivery of this plan that will be invested into the community over the life of the wind farm as well as other non-financial benefits that will be achieved through key initiatives described below:
Local Community Engagement Officer fully dedicated on Site
A local resident from Lismore was employed in April 2019 as our local Community Engagement Officer responsible on site to support and ensure the delivery of the Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan, providing face to face communication and engagement with all the stakeholders surrounding the wind farm.
Local Project Office available on Site
Our Community Engagement Officer is accessible from Monday to Friday at our temporary construction office within the project facilities and will be moved to the permanent office once the project is under Operation.
Land Agreements and Easement Deeds
Agreements and deeds signed with the landowners who owned the lands that hosts the turbines, the substation and the transmission line.
Neighbour Deeds
Deeds that can be voluntarily signed by all the neighbours within 2 km of the wind farm, enforceable during the Construction and the Operation of the wind farm in order to compensate them for the potential impacts caused by the turbines.
Community Asset Initiative
Community Benefit Deeds respectively signed with the Corangamite Shire Council and the Golden Plains Shire Council for the implementation of local community projects during the Construction of the wind farm.
Community Development Funds
Agreements respectively signed with the Corangamite Shire Council and the Golden Plains Shire Council for the implementation of local community projects during the Operation of the wind farm.
Solar Power Program
Renewable Energy Program implemented with the support of both Councils during the Construction of the wind farm to install solar systems in local community buildings and also on households.
Traineeships
Job opportunities mainly focused on local residents to work with us as a trainee within our team on Site during the Construction and the Operation phases.
Student Program: Schools, TAFE, University
Provision of scholarships for TAFE and University students in collaboration with Federation University and Deakin University during the Operation period. This program also includes the provision of educational materials on renewable energy to local schools and visits to the Site
Support for the implementation of the Asian Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre (APRETC)
Provision of financial support to the Federation University in order to increase the renewable energy training offer in the region through the APRETC.
Entrepreneurship Program
Support for local entrepreneurs interested in launching and running new businesses in the area during the Operation phase of the wind farm in collaboration with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).
Community Engagement Committee
Committee established in April 2019 with the aim of playing a key role during the Construction and Operation phases, not only being informed and consulted about the implementation of the different community engagement initiatives but also involving and empowering their members in those initiatives as needed and establishing new ideas.
This Committee is comprised by different members: neighbours, landowners, community groups representatives, Councils, DELWP, contractors and GPG representatives. Quarterly meetings for ensuring engagement and participation of the different stakeholders in the CEBSP implementation are hold. The minutes of such meetings can be consulted in the link:
Information sessions & presentations
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Upcoming sessions & presentations
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Previous sessions & presentations
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28th February 2020 |
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11th October 2019 |
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15th May 2019 |
Upcoming sessions & presentations
No upcoming information sessions or presentations are scheduled for the moment
Previous sessions & presentations
Information sharing session – Golden Plains & Berrybank Wind Farms (organized by Golden Plains Shire Council):
28th February 2020
Golden Plains Business Networking event (organized by Golden Plains Shire Council):
11th October 2019
Presentation on the Community Engagement Approach at Berrybank Wind Farm at the Community Benefits and Social Licence Working Group (organized by DELWP):
15th May 2019
Community event stalls & other events
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Upcoming community events
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Previous community events
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March 2022 |
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14th November 2019 |
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21st June 2019 |
Upcoming community events
No upcoming Community Events are scheduled for the moment
Previous community events
Lismore Water Tower – Opening Event
9th December 2020
Community Christmas Toy Appeal at Berrybank Wind Farm (organized by GPG, Vestas and its subcontractors)
20th December 2019
Cultural Awareness Training provided by the Wathaurung community to the GPG´s staff involved in the Berrybank project
14th November 2019
Sod Turning Ceremony at Berrybank site
21st June 2019
Call for applications
Find below the applications currently available.
GPG, in partnership with Westvic Staffing Solutions, is looking to hire a Business Administration Trainee to join the team. The successful applicant will assist in the delivery of a full range of strategic communication and engagement services, including community and client consultation, information collation, and issues management.
Duties will include:
- Supporting project teams in managing community engagement initiatives and concerns;
- Communicating and promoting project activities to relevant communities and clients;
- Being the initial point of contact for enquiries from the public;
- Maintaining records;
- Assisting in the development and delivery of strategies and plans;
- Building long-term, trusted relationships with clients, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
If you would like to join the GPG family and begin your career in the Wind Industry, please email your resume to Philip Beattie at
Landscape Screening Program
The Landscape Screening Program involves all non-stakeholder residential dwellings existing as of the date of issue of the planning permits of the wind farm endorsed on 4thFebruary 2018 and which are within 4.0 km of an approved turbine is eligible to apply for landscape screening.
This program commenced concurrently with the commencement of construction of the wind turbine pads and will remain open for 6 months after the last turbine has been commissioned. It will strategically use vegetation to screen visible turbines from affected dwellings. The program involves a site visit and meeting with a landscape consultant, and subsequently, preparation of a dwelling landscape plan.
For more information please refer to the BBWF Landscape Screening Guidelines and download the Application Form.
Progress
Civil Construction begun on 17th April 2019. Commercial Operations Commenced 1st July 2021 .
Community
GPG is strongly committed to ensure that the community are kept informed about the project, to seek, understand and to address any concerns.
Newsroom
The newsroom provides access to the latest newsletters as well as the latest media releases for this project.
Relevant documentation
Get access to all endorsement documents for all key aspects of the project from compliance to all plans for key assessments.
Suggestions
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates for the progress of wind farm and its commitments to the community.
