Aboriginal leaders in NSW's Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone have welcomed $6 million in grant funding for community-led projects from housing, to land management and youth programs.
Wiradjuri Wellington Aboriginal Town Common Aboriginal Corporation's Anita Johnson said the investment "is going to do wonders" in her community, with restorations for two heritage-listed sites as well as their cultural land set to take place.
"It takes us on a journey, and this is just the first step of our journey," Aunty Anita said at Friday's announcement in Dubbo.
The state's first renewable energy zone (REZ) covers approximately 20,000 square kilometres in the Central West-Orana region, intended to house a new infrastructure for NSW's energy grid.
The latest grants are part of an initial $128 million investment into the Community and Employment Benefit Program, slated as opportunities for the region's communities to get more out of the plan.
Fifty-four local projects shared in $60 million granted in April.
A future First Nations fund will deliver another $4 million available, in addition to eight successful projects linked to five Aboriginal Organisations in the first round.
They include;
The revitilisation of Talbragar Reserve with Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council.
A Wiradjuri Aboriginal Youth Connection to Culture program through Oyster Tribe Aboriginal Corporation.
Housing for the Aboriginal community, a tourism officer, Nanima Village Old School restoration and cultural heritage with Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Community spaces and local community housing roof restoration with Gilgandra Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The Heritage-listed structure and land rehabilitation with Wiradjuri Wellington Aboriginal Town Common Aboriginal Corporation.
Aunty Anita said the buildings carry a lot of history, and carry the experiences ancestors went through.
On the land, there's more than 200 years of overgrowth on 183 hectares of land which "has never been able to be brought back to what it was", she said.
"Our people were unable to actually use our cultural process to rectify…and bring that back to where it should be, and this funding will go towards the restoration of our land out there," Aunty Anita added said.
She also flagged a chance, in future funding opportunities, to enter the tourism industry with the land and buildings as an investment into future generations.
Gilgandra Local Aboriginal Land Council's Belinda Simon said the projects to be completed in her community will contribute to "a sense of of belonging for our people".
"It's going to have a really positive impact on our community," she said.
NSW Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said "this is about another piece of the puzzle" which communities benefit from the REN.
Applications for the second round of the First Nations Fund open on Monday, September 22.
"This funding is a step forward to help empower local Aboriginal communities to develop critical renewable energy projects for the region," NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Harris said.
"By providing funding to regional Aboriginal communities we are continuing to work to Closing the Gap by creating jobs and boosting the local economy in these communities.
"NSW is unique in having a specific Closing the Gap priority reform – Reform 5 – that specifically focuses on Aboriginal economic prosperity, jobs and nurturing business, and the First Nations Fund is a great example of that in operation.
"I want to encourage all Aboriginal organisations and communities in the region to consider applying for the First Nations Fund."
