Community Benefits

The Pines Wind Farm proposal includes a 35-year Community Benefits Package, made up of a Community Benefits Fund, a Nearby Neighbour Program and ongoing contributions to local Council.

This package will see more than $150 million contributed directly to the local community through direct payments to neighbours and electricity consumers, grants, and to Council under a Voluntary Planning Agreement.

Some of these initiatives, including local sponsorship and Electricity Bill Credit Payments are starting now. 
We are open to ideas on the community programs and infrastructure you would like to see funded by The Pines Wind Farm.

Contact us

Electricity Bill Credit Program

As part of The Pines Wind Farm Project, every household in the Oberon Local Government Area and the suburbs of Triangle Flat, Bald Ridge, Abercrombie River, Trunkey Creek, Arkell, Hobbys Yards, Caloola and Rockley is entitled to a $100 annual Electricity Bill Credit.

If the project later goes into construction, the annual Electricity Bill Credit will be increased to $250 per year during construction and operations for the life of the project*. CPI will apply to this $250 payment from the start of construction.

With more than 1600 houses in the Oberon LGA , the Electricity Bill Credit Program will result in more than $10million of electricity savings within the Oberon LGA during the lifetime of the project.

$100m Nearby Neighbour Program

Almost 200 neighbours stand to share more than $100m spread over 35 years under the Nearby Neighbour Program of The Pines Wind Farm. The average annual payment for a neighbour would be around $14,000, adding up to more than $500,000 over the life of the wind farm when CPI increases are applied.

Find out more about the program

$50,000 per year early community sponsorship

$50,000 per year is being donated to local not for profit organisations. Past winners include Pejar Local Aboriginal Land Council, Black Springs Community Association, Oberon United Football Club, and Burraga Sport and Recreation club.

$5million major project fund

TagEnergy is pleased to commit to a $5million major project. We will soon be setting up a local advisory committee to advise on where this is best to spend. This $5million major projects fund is in addition to all other funding announcnements that have been made in relation to the project.

Fire fighting fund

TagEnergy is pleased to support fire-fighting resources over the life of the project. This funding will provide additional fire-fighting resources to Forestry Corporation that will be available to fight any fires in the region.

$1050/MW total community benefit sharing during operations

The consultation layout for The Pines Wind Farm is 250 wind turbines. Using $1050/MW benchmark, a 250 turbine layout would equate to $1.89m in benefits going into the Oberon LGA and surrounding community every year through operations.

Planning and approvals phase: community benefits

During the Planning and Approvals phase we will:

  • Continue the Electricity Bill Credit program
  • Continue sponsoring community projects
  • Commence detailed ecology, cultural heritage and other studies
  • Commence the process to obtain the required planning approvals
  • Continue sustained engagement with the community throughout the approvals process, including providing opportunities for feedback
  • Create a local supplier and contractor register for services to The Pines Wind Farm during the Planning and Approvals Phase, construction phase, and maintenance phase. You can register your interest on the website
  • Commence discussions with Oberon Council on a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) detailing the ongoing contributions to Oberon Council.

The Planning and Approvals phase has commenced and is expected to take 3-5 years.

Constructions & operations: community benefits

If The Pines Wind Farm receives a planning permit, and progresses into construction we will deliver a 35-year ongoing commitment to a Community Benefits Package equivalent to at least $1050 per MW per year. 


This will include:

  • Continue sustained engagement with the community so that you know how the project will be delivered
  • Implement the Community Benefits Fund that provides annual funding to be used for community programs and infrastructure in the local region
  • Implement the Nearby Neighbour Program for close neighbours that provides annual payments linked to the proximity of turbines to houses
  • Provide opportunities for employment of local people
  • Draw on the local supplier register so that local businesses can deliver work packages during construction and maintenance
  • Create and implement a wind farm skilled work program, targeting the Oberon region