Community
Community Grants Program
At ACEREZ, our commitment to supporting our communities is paramount.
As the network operator appointed by EnergyCo for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), we want to leave a legacy by supporting projects that provide tangible, long-term benefits for the region.
We also recognise earning and retaining trust with our stakeholders is critical to the successful delivery and ongoing operation of our project.
Our Community Grants Program is a three-year multimillion-dollar investment that aims to leave a legacy that extends beyond the completion of the transmission network.
The ACEREZ program complements funding already being delivered by EnergyCo under the Community and Employment Benefit Program, giving the region multiple avenues of support as the REZ progresses.
Round 2 of the ACEREZ Community Grants Program will open on 10 August.
How to apply:
Applying for a Community Grant is as easy as completing an application form, which can be submitted online or in person at our Community Information Centre in Mudgee.
The form will be made available when the next round opens on 10 August 2026.
In the meantime, you can attend an information session to help prepare for the application process. Register here.
Further information can be found in our ACEREZ Community Grants Program brochure.
Need more information?
If you have any questions about the project or future rounds of the ACEREZ Community Grants Program you can contact us here, visit our Community Information Centre at 30-32 Church Street, Mudgee, call our toll-free number, 1800 298 379 or email us at cwo.community@acerez-acjv.com.au.
Eligible organisations must be located in or operate within the Central-West Orana REZ.
Eligible applicants must be either:
A not-for-profit community organisation
An incorporated Aboriginal community organisation or a Local Aboriginal Land Council
Volunteer organisations, such as the State Emergency Service or Rural Fire Service brigade that is individually incorporated
A council within the identified four LGAs
If an organisation is not eligible but wishes to apply, it may be able to establish a relationship with one that meets the criteria (such as a local community group or service organisation) and work in partnership to deliver the project.
This type of arrangement is known as auspicing, where the project is delivered with the support of that organisation. This arrangement is suitable for a newly formed community group or small neighbourhood group.
All applications are evaluated by the ACEREZ Community Advisory Group, which provides independent recommendations to ACEREZ. The Advisory Group does not make funding decisions. ACEREZ will consider the recommendations and make the final determination on approved applications.
There are two categories:
Small grants from $3,000 up to $50,000
Significant grants from $50,000 up to $1 million
To help the community navigate the grant application process, ACEREZ will provide free grant writing support to assist applicants in preparing their applications.
To access grant writing support, complete and submit the Expression of Interest Form available here.
Yes. You will be able to apply for further grant money if you have already exhausted original funds requested. You will need to submit a new application with updated costings and supporting information.
Unspent funds need to be returned to ACEREZ. This will be part of the acquittal report to be submitted in December 2028.
The following types of applications will not be considered for ACEREZ’s Community Grants:
Applications from political groups or initiatives that have a focus on promoting politically related activities
Applications from religious groups or initiatives that have a focus on promoting religious beliefs or activities
Applications for initiatives or programs that promote drug and alcohol, tobacco, or other inappropriate activities
Applications for funding to pay for wages, prizes, ongoing rental fees, ongoing utilities fees, or to cover retrospective payments
Applications for initiatives or programs to enhance or upgrade a private/council-owned property without written consent or support from the property owner
ACEREZ reserves the right to determine whether an initiative or program is inappropriate.
ACEREZ will notify unsuccessful applicants in writing. You are able to reapply in a following funding round if you are unsuccessful. We encourage you to reach out to our community engagement team to discuss your project before reapplying.
All applications will be assessed against the criteria as set out on page 1 of the ACEREZ Community Grants Program brochure.
If your application was unsuccessful, you can reapply in the next round of funding. We recommend meeting with the ACEREZ team to discuss your application before resubmitting.
Grant recipient list
Significant Grants category
CUC Mudgee Region LTD - CUC Mudgee Region Solar Battery System
Coolah Branch United Hospital Auxiliary NSW Inc - A Wander Through the Garden Along a Winding Path
Coolah Rugby Club Inc - Bowen Oval Drainage System Upgrade
Coolah Showground and Recreation Reserve Land Manager - Community Land Management and Agricultural Equipment Project
Dunedoo Rugby League Football Club - Infrastructure Improvements to Robertson Oval
Marathon Health Ltd - Dunedoo Community Health Hub
Mount Arthur (R85000) Reserve Land Manager - Mount Arthur Reserve
Mudgee District Tennis Club - Refurbishment of Hardcourt to Pickleball Courts
NSW Rural Fire Service, Cudgegong Communications Unit - Live Fire Training (Car Prop and Attack Panels)
Dunedoo Lions Club Incorporated - Dunedoo Lions Customised Food Van
Small Grants category
Ballimore Progress Association - Upgrade Facilities Ballimore Community Hall
Can Assist Mudgee and Districts Branch - Can Assist Mudgee Fuel Vouchers
Cassilis Bushmans Carnival Association Inc - Portable Grandstand
Coolah Swimming Club - Ready, Set, Go
Dubbo City Car Club - Enhance Timing System at Bodangora Airstrip
Dubbo District Parent Support Group for Deaf/Hearing Impaired Inc - Hear Our Heart Ear Bus
Dunedoo Historical Society and Museum - Sharing Our Past
Dunedoo Rural Fire Service Brigade - Equipping Volunteers of RFS Dunedoo
Dymocks Children's Charities - Dubbo Region Library Regeneration Program
Erudgere Grattai Rural Fire Brigade - Improve Fire Shed Functionality for NSP
Friends of Burrendong Arboretum - The Wiradjuri Collection (Stage One)
Gulgong Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society Inc - Installation of Theatre Systems and Promotional Video
Gulgong Heritage Harness Association - Competition Equipment
Gulgong Holtermann Museum Inc - Lighting Upgrade
Gulgong Pre-school Inc - Playground Mural
Gulgong RSL Club - Community Resilience & Safe Haven Upgrade
Gulgong Showground Land Manager - Gulgong Showground Rehabilitation
Hive Live Community Gym - Upgrade of Community Gym
Leadville Rural Fire Service - Supporting Volunteers to Protect the Community
Mendooran PA & H Association Inc - Improving Amenity Accessibility Project
Mendooran Rugby League Football Club - Community Gym Project
Mudgee Basketball Association Inc - Electronic Scoreboard
Mudgee District Junior Cricket Association Inc - New Training and Playing Equipment
Mudgee District U3A Inc - Supporting Volunteers and Increasing Organisational Capacity
Mudgee Historical Society Inc - Installation of Solar Panels and Battery
Mudgee Marlins Swim Club Inc - Custom Shade Tents
Mudgee Playgroup - Carpark Reseal and Improvement
Mudgee Pony Club Inc - Community Facility Upgrade
NSW Rural Fire Service, Cudgegong Communications Unit - Keeping It Cool
Orana Pistol Club Inc - Clubhouse Disability Access and Parking Area
Riding for the Disabled Association Mudgee Centre - Safe Access and Horse Care
Sculptures in the Garden Inc - Infrastructure Upgrade Program
Wellington Athletics Inc - Equipping Wellington Little Athletics for Growth
Wellington Men's Shed - Concrete Apron
Windeyer Rural Fire Service - Motorisation of Roller Shutter Doors
Wollar Progress Association Inc - Drought-proofing Wollar Community Hall
ACEREZ Community Grants Program information sessions
Gulgong information session
Gulgong Bowling and Sporting Club
Tallawang Road (Cnr Bulga Street), Gulgong
4pm to 6pm
Monday 27 July 2026
Register here
Wellington information session
Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club
75 Arthur Street, Wellington
4pm to 6pm
Tuesday 28 July 2026
Register here
Dunedoo information session
Dunedoo Jubilee Memorial Hall
154 Bolaro Street, Dunedoo,
4pm to 6pm
Wednesday 29 July 2026
Register here
Coolah information session
Coolah Sporting Club
7 Goddard Street, Coolah
4pm to 6pm
Thursday 30 July 2026
Register here
Cassilis information session
Cassilis Community Hall
24 Buccleugh Street, Cassilis
9am to 11am
Friday 31 July 2026
Register here
ACEREZ is committed to establishing genuine relationships with the community and stakeholders, underpinned by the belief that open, early and effective communication is key to the success of the Central-West Orana REZ transmission project.
Our engagement principles
Engage continuously:
Keep key stakeholders and the community informed about the project, its risks and benefits
Use a variety of communication tools to communicate with the community and stakeholders to ensure they have access to timely information
Maintain ongoing communication even at times when construction slows or stops
Partner with the community
Involve the community and get involved – volunteer with the Rural Fire Service/State Emergency Service, employ locals where possible and procure locally to boost local economies
Ensure any investment in the community is what the community wants
Be transparent and responsive
Understand that engagement is a two-way process, be open to alternative views and listen as well as speak
Explain to stakeholders how their feedback will be used
Recognise the different communication needs and preferences of stakeholders and endeavour to meet these wherever possible
Have a representative of the project as the main point of contact for the community throughout the project to provide consistency and be available to meet face-to-face when requested
Staff community forums and other stakeholder meetings including with members of ACEREZ senior management
Keep our promises:
Consider our promises and deliver on them
Provide regular feedback on key deliverables to remain accountable to the community
Adhere to ACEREZ’s values
Communicate effectively:
Talk transparently with community members and stakeholders
Be available in person to the community
Be easily contactable via the 1800 number and email
Provide informative, factual and transparent communication using simple language and in ways the community wants to receive it
Be inclusive and be sensitive to the community’s concerns
Respectfully engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples:
Be responsive and collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to build understanding and share benefits
Understand and protect cultural heritage and community values
Monitor our performance:
Learn from past experience, listen to feedback and regularly review and monitor our approach and be prepared to make changes to meet community needs and expectations
ACEREZ is proud to be a #BetterTogether Collaborator with The Energy Charter, cementing our commitment to driving better outcomes for communities in the Central-West Orana region.
Community Information Centre
ACEREZ and EnergyCo have established a Community Information Centre in Mudgee to help ensure local communities stay informed, supported and involved as the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission project takes shape.
The centre provides an opportunity to learn more about the transmission project and what it means for the region.
Features include:
Transmission infrastructure maps, diagrams and other project details
The latest photos and videos showcasing construction progress
Information on job and business opportunities and landowner support
A dedicated meeting space for briefings and community presentations
Located at 30–32 Church Street, Mudgee, the centre is open from 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Thursday (except on public holidays) and will be open at other times for special events and activities.
Find out more about the project at our upcoming community events
Cassilis coffee drop-in
Erika's Bread Bar
16 Buccleugh Street, Cassilis
9am to 12pm
Friday 17 April 2026
Wellington Show
Wellington Showground
Showground Road, Wellington
Saturday 16 May 2026
Henry Lawson Heritage Festival
Mayne Street, Gulgong
Saturday 6 June 2026
Leadville Community Markets
Leadville Community Hall
17 Clarke Street, Leadville, NSW
Sunday 21 June 2026
National Renewables in Agriculture Conference & Expo
The Greenhouse
231-243 Anson Street, Orange
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Community coffee drop-in session
CWA Hall
8 Herbert Street, Gulgong
Friday 10 October 2025
8.30am to 11.30am
Wellington Rotary Markets
Maranatha House
127-137 Whiteley Street, Wellington
Saturday 25 October 2025
9.30am to 1pm