What a week for renewable energy and our community!
I attended the official launch of the Community and Employment Benefits Program on Monday where Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe announced $70 million worth of grants for the Central-West and Orana region affected by the renewable energy zone.
This grant funding is a great start to helping our region, it benefit small scale projects and build much needed infrastructure, plus provide some relief for local governments in the region who are already struggling.
The announcement included $500,000 available for small-scale projects for local communities, $10 million for projects that empower local Aboriginal communities and $15 million to improve local amenities and strengthen community connections.
It also ties in nicely to RDA Orana’s Resources, Energy & Industry Innovation Forum (REIIF), which is being held at Dubbo in August which will provide an opportunity to learn about projects and initiatives that are driving greater economic growth, industry collaboration, research and innovation, as well as increased public and private investment within the resources and energy sector in regional NSW.
Our role at RDA Orana is to foster relationships, create opportunities and build partnerships for a better and brighter low-emissions future for our region. The forum aims to provide a collaborative approach for business, industry and government to discuss the challenges and opportunities of a zero-emissions future.
While change can be intimidating and our impacted LGA's have many challenges ahead of them, we will all need to work together on the low emissions journey to ensure that regional NSW especially the Orana doesn’t miss out on emerging technology and new industries that bring job creation and economic growth.
If you’re keen to learn more about the Orana’s Resources, Energy and Industry Innovation Forum please visit https://resourcesenergyinnovation.com.au/ and book your ticket.
If you want to know more about the Orana Youth Forum and what it has to offer, give me a call on 0409 851 488 or email me at ceo@rdaorana.org.au. This event is the first of its kind for our region and I am really excited about what it can offer our young people and how it can expose them to the amazing opportunities available.
