Dunedoo Pre-School gets Therapy Room thanks to REZ community benefits scheme

Dunedoo Pre-School Kindergarten will soon have a Therapy Room and specialised equipment to provide health services, inclusion and early education thanks to a Central-West Orana (CWO) Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) grant. 

The grants include $11.25 million for each of the four Councils hosting the REZ, for legacy infrastructure projects. The NSW Government is delivering this investment now to ensure communities including Dubbo, Dunedoo, Gilgandra, Gulgong, Mudgee and Wellington see the benefits from the REZ in their region before major construction starts.

The therapy room project at the preschool is one of 54 projects covered in the first round of REZ community benefits scheme grant funding which has directed $60 million to regional community projects ranging from critical infrastructure upgrades to affordable housing.

NSW Labor says the first round of grants under its $128 million Community and Employment Benefit Program is being delivered as the Central-West Orana (CWO) REZ is rolled out, with contracts for construction of grid upgrades finalised last week.

NSW energy minister Penny Sharpe says it’s been a huge success – and that, due to overwhelming community interest and a high number of quality applications, the CWO REZ round will be extended and more projects announced.

EnergyCo, which is running the scheme for the NSW government, says more funding will be made available over years to come from grid access fees, which will be paid by the owners of renewable energy projects which are connected to the REZ network.

“These grants are about making sure regional communities at the heart of the renewable energy transformation share in its benefits,” Minister Sharpe said.

“We’ve been talking with community groups about their priorities and it’s wonderful to see a wide variety of projects receive funding. Whether it’s better facilities, new skills or upgraded infrastructure, these grants will deliver real, lasting improvements for people across the CWO REZ.” 

The successful round one CWO REZ projects include:

– Fitting out a new classroom at Dunedoo Pre-School Kindergarten with a Therapy Room and specialised equipment to provide health services, inclusion and early education.

– Upgrading the Community Hall in Leadville, improving the kitchen, stage area, heating and lighting to increase useability and comfort.

– Adding shade sails to each end of Coolah Swimming Pool and providing equipment such as lane ropes to Dunedoo Amateur Swimming Club.

– Helping Dunedoo Sports Club add floodlighting to 2.6 ha of community and sporting space.

– Funding the Woolly Conversations program to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the shearing and wool community.

– Supporting the Dubbo Waratahs Sports Aboriginal Corporation to host the Dubbo Rugby League Knockout Carnival.

– Upgrading facilities at Wellington Showground.

Due to overwhelming community interest and quality applications, the round will be extended  and more projects will be announced.

Further funding will be made available over years to come from access fees, which will be paid by the owners of renewable energy projects which are connected to the REZ network.

For further information about the grants program visit: https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/cebp.