Community

Ark Energy is a signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Projects, a voluntary set of commitments to engage respectfully with communities, be sensitive to environmental and cultural values, and make a positive contribution to the regions in which we operate.

We aim to address concerns in a timely manner and where practicable incorporate community input to deliver improved project outcomes and lasting benefits.

Community Enhancement Funds

The Bowmans Creek Wind Farm will involve a range of benefits to provide a meaningful and lasting contribution to residents and property owners in the local community. Stage 1 involves a Community Enhancement Fund of $686 per installed megawatt, or $3,842 per wind turbine per year, indexed to CPI, from the start of generation and for the life of the wind farm. Based on the proposed layout of 54 wind turbines and an expected operational life of at least 25 years, this amounts to more than $200,000 per year and more than $5 million over the life of the project to support local initiatives and projects.

Neighbour Benefits

Neighbour benefit sharing initiatives ensure that those living within 5 km of wind turbines will receive a direct benefit throughout the operational life of the project.

Property owners with a dwelling located within 3.3 km of an installed wind turbine are eligible for a Neighbour Agreement which involves an annual payment based on the number of wind turbines within a 3.3 km radius from their dwelling. Those with a dwelling between 3.3 km and 5 km from an installed wind turbine (where no other agreement exists) are also invited to participate in the project's Neighbour Benefit Program, which offers annual rebates on electricity charges as follows:

Residents of properties between 3.3 - 4 km from a wind turbine will be eligible for an annual rebate of $1,000 on their household electricity costs.
Residents of properties between 4 - 5 km from a wind turbine will be eligible for an annual rebate of $500 on their household electricity costs.

Agreements are subject to the final wind turbine layout and rebates will commence from when the wind farm starts operating. Participation in the program does not prevent residents from expressing their views on the project, privately or publicly, at any time.

Residences within 4.4km of a wind turbine may also request Ark Energy to implement visual screening to minimise visual impact, for a period of 5 years from the commencement of construction of any wind turbine.

Social licence commitments

The following Social Licence Commitments (SLCs) form part of the Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) awarded to the Bowmans Creek BESS through the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

Significant and sustained investment to improve socio-economic outcomes

Funding of $4.8 million targeting community development including the local workforce and supply chains:

Community Development Fund of $300,000 per annum for the life of the LTESA (14 years), plus
$600,000 in targeted specific commitments to be invested between 2027 and 2032 including:
- $250,000 funding to support upskilling of the local workforce through education initiatives with registered training organisations including TAFE NSW.
- $250,000 funding to support the development of the local First Nations supply chain and workforce.
- $100,000 funding to facilitate First Nations education programs in the local region and raise awareness of local cultural heritage.

These commitments include and will support the following:

First Nations People commitments

To facilitate longer-term and meaningful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation and development.

During construction:

At least 1.65% of total project contract value allocated to First Nations businesses.
At least 2.5% of the total project workforce.
$125,000 towards First Nations training and workforce development to support long-term employment pathways and skills development.

During operation:

At least 1.35% of total project contract value allocated to First Nations businesses.
At least 5% of the total project workforce.
$125,000 towards First Nations training and workforce development to support long-term employment pathways and skills development.

Commitments to education and training

$250,000 invested between 2027 and 2032 to support upskilling of the local workforce through education initiatives with registered training organisations including TAFE NSW.
$100,000 invested between 2027 and 2032 to facilitate First Nations education programs in the local region and raise awareness of local cultural heritage.

Commitments to local and inclusive employment

At least 66% of the total project workforce and 72% of trade jobs to be local.
At least 20% of the total project workforce filled by learning workers.
At least 15% of the total project workforce from underrepresented groups.
At least 13.5% of the total project workforce including 5% of trade roles filled by women.
At least 20% of trade roles filled by apprentices.

This includes -

Commitments for construction:

At least 60% of the workforce and 70% of trade jobs to be local.
At least 20% of the workforce filled by learning workers.
At least 15% of the workforce from underrepresented groups.
At least 15% of the workforce including 5% of trade roles filled by women.
At least 20% of trade roles filled by apprentices.
At least 2.5% of the workforce filled by First Nations peoples.

Commitments for operation:

At least 80% of the workforce and 80% of trade jobs to be local.
At least 20% of the workforce filled by learning workers.
At least 15% of the workforce from underrepresented groups.
At least 10% of the workforce including 5% of trade roles filled by women.
At least 20% of trade roles filled by apprentices.
At least 5% of the workforce filled by First Nations peoples.

Commitments to local content

Significant targets to develop the local business industry and supply chain including:

At least 24% of total capital expenditure during development and construction invested in local goods and services, estimated to be more than $160 million.
At least 35% of total operational expenditure for operations and maintenance invested in local goods and services, estimated to be more than $194 million.
At least 95% of steel for project construction sourced from Australian suppliers, an investment of approximately $1.425 million.

Please note - Achievability of workforce targets may be subject to market conditions. Ark Energy will monitor market conditions and work to achieve targets to the maximum extent practicable.

Full details of the social licence commitments is available here.

Project updates

Ark Energy issues project update newsletters in both mail and email formats. To sign up for email newsletters register here. To receive newsletters by mail please email the project team with your name, postal address and a request to be added to the mailing list.

Download copies of previous updates via the links below.

Bowmans Creek Community Update - June 2018

Bowmans Creek Community Update 2 - May 2019

Bowmans Creek Community Update 3 - September 2019

Bowmans Creek Community Update 4 - November 2019

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - March 2020

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - July 2020

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - December 2020

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - March 2021

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - October 2021

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - March 2022

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - April 2023

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - November 2023

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - February 2024

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Update - March 2024

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Newsletter - May 2025

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Newsletter - December 2025

Community Consultative Committee

Throughout the planning and assessment phase a Community Consultative Committee (CCC) provided a forum for discussion between the project team and the local community, to help ensure local residents and stakeholders were: