More than $100,000 of grants have been allocated to not-for-profit groups in the Wimmera, as part of the 2024 Murra Warra Wind Farm Sustainable Community Grants Fund.

Grants will go to 14 environmentally sustainable community projects in the Hindmarsh, Horsham and Yarriambiack municipalities, which neighbour the Murra Warra Wind Farm.

A $20,000 grant was allocated to Minyip Recreation Reserve Committee of Management to install a new irrigation system for the junior oval to enable efficient watering.

Horsham Motor Sports Club also received $20,000 to replace its ageing staff and competitor toilets with new energy-friendly facilities.

Other successful grant applicants included Horsham City Bowling Club for solar panels on its clubhouse and Wimmera River Improvement Committee to ‘green’ the Wimmera River picnic area.

Rainbow and District Landcare Group secretary Bernard Young said the group would use its grant to educate and train land managers and landowners in all aspects of rabbit biology, population monitoring and control methods to help tackle the region’s rabbit problem.

“Rabbits impact agricultural production, damage crops, soils and native vegetation, as well as local biodiversity,” he said.

“They’ve infested agricultural land, businesses, roadsides and recreational areas, and are encroaching into the urban fringe. Once the participants have completed the training, they’ll be encouraged to share knowledge and mentor other land managers across the district.”

Other recipients include –

Centre for Participation, new freezer to support the Wimmera Food Collective program; Dimboola Croquet Club, new watering system for croquet green; Dimboola Golf Club, efficient heating and cooling for clubrooms; Dimboola RSL Sub-Branch, new inside blinds; Laharum Public Hall, trestle tables to support events such as vegetable swaps; Natimuk Climbing Club, a ‘kilter board’ artificial climbing wall; Taylors Lake Football and Netball Club, solar lighting for storage facility and weather-protected seating at netball court; Warracknabeal Playgroup, environmental education program for children; Warracknabeal Golf Bowls Club, new landscaping and garden upgrade around the bowling green.

Squadron Energy’s Murra Warra Wind
Farm operations manager Chris Gulvin said the renewable energy company was pleased to again support an impressive list of projects that would benefit the Wimmera community and environment.

“A big thank you to everyone who applied for the latest round of community grants,” he said.

“Squadron Energy is pleased to support not-for-profit community groups and organisations working to make a positive and lasting contribution to regional communities near the Murra Warra Wind Farm.” 

The Murra Warra Wind Farm Sustainable Community Grants Fund is administered by Wimmera Southern Mallee Development and more information can be found at www.wsm.org.au.

The entire July 24, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!