What does meaningful, measurable community impact look like?

The transition to clean energy isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about people, place and partnership. That belief sits at the heart of the Kerrs Creek Wind Farm, a project recognised nationally as a finalist in the Clean Energy Council’s 2025 Community Value & Impact Award.

The recognition reflects years of respectful engagement, shared decision making and community driven outcomes that continue to shape the project for the better.

A project shaped by local voices

From the beginning, RES has focused on building strong relationships with Kerrs Creek, Euchareena, Molong, Orange and surrounding areas, ensuring local perspectives guide both project decisions and community investment.

That approach led to a series of important outcomes:

• Turbine heights were reduced after residents asked for changes to visual impact.
• The overall turbine count was lowered, reflecting ongoing neighbour feedback.
• Transport routes were redesigned, avoiding Molong and responding directly to local concerns about road safety and amenity.
• Access tracks were adjusted to suit farming operations and minimise disruption.
• Cultural heritage areas were protected, with turbines moved to avoid sites of significance identified during on Country engagement.

These changes are not symbolic: they demonstrate a genuine willingness to listen, adapt and co-design solutions.

Supporting communities in practical, meaningful ways

One of the Kerrs Creek Wind Farm’s standout features is its focus on equitable benefit sharing. Instead of limiting benefits to host landholders, the project introduced community-wide initiatives designed to support a broad cross section of local residents.

Neighbour Benefit Scheme

A long term financial program offering annual payments to around 130 neighbours. This structure recognises the role nearby residents play in hosting renewable infrastructure and ensures benefits flow fairly across the region.

Local partnerships that respond to real needs

RES partnered with Central West Mums to support families experiencing cost of living pressure through a community led grocery voucher campaign. This initiative delivered immediate support to households while strengthening relationships with a key local network.

A low barrier sponsorship program

Instead of requiring lengthy grant applications, RES supported local organisations through simple, conversation based processes, ensuring funding went where it could make the biggest difference.

RES has supported groups including:

• Orange United Sports Club
• Central West Disc Golf
• Euchareena and Mullion Creek Rural Fire Brigades
• Molong Rugby Club
• Cumnock General Store
• Euchareena Soldier’s Memorial Hall
• Molong Golf Club

These partnerships contribute to everything from sport and wellbeing to emergency response capability and community events.

Co-design with community leaders

RES worked closely with respected local landholders, volunteer leaders and community representatives who became important voices in shaping the project and sharing information within their networks.
Their involvement helped amplify accurate, community driven messages and strengthened trust across the region.

A model for the energy transition

The Clean Energy Council recognition as a finalist reflects the project’s contribution to community wellbeing, cultural stewardship, shared economic benefit and inclusive engagement.
Kerrs Creek Wind Farm’s journey shows how renewable energy projects can be shaped with the community, not just near them, ensuring the energy transition delivers local value, local opportunity and long term regional benefit.