Engagement to date

Community engagement is an essential part of the project.

EnergyAustralia has been a longstanding operator in the local area due to the ownership of the nearby Mount Piper Power Station and we have actively undertaken community engagement since acquisition of both Mount Piper and Wallerawang Power Stations in July 2013.

We commenced stakeholder engagement and consultation with community members and interested stakeholders throughout the Lithgow area on development of the Project in 2021.

Today, as a host community for energy generation, we inject more than $40 million a year into the local Lithgow economy along with our $1.2 million dollar grant program benefiting schools, events and community organisations.   

We are proud of the contribution our assets and our workforce make to the economic prosperity of Lithgow and our nation. We want to continue to contribute to Lithgow.  

Since 2015, our purpose has been to ‘lead and accelerate the clean energy transformation for all.’ To fulfil these ambitions, our portfolio, services and business activities are evolving, growing and changing and we will look distinctly different in the future.  

This ambition is both a challenge and an opportunity for the Lithgow community too. You have long been a host community for energy generation and today you are the frontline of the energy transition.  

As an enduring host community, we want to ensure meaningful rewards are in place for Lithgow as we transition to new ways of generating energy.

2021
  • Initial Community Town-hall Meeting
2022
  • Wave 1 - Pop-up engagements at local community events and locations
  • Project website and newsletter launched
2023
  • Wave 2 – Pop up engagements at local community events and locations
  • Initial upper reservoir design for community feedback
  • Upper reservoir design changed in response to community feedback
  • Neighbour engagement begins
  • Community participation in ecological studies
  • Project HQ opens
  • Virtual Community and Industry Townhall Meeting
  • Concept design released
  • Wave 3 – Pop up engagements at local community events and locations
2024
  • Wave 4 – Pop up engagements at local community events and locations
  • Ongoing community and neighbour engagement
  • Recognised Aboriginal Parties involved in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment with artefacts temporarily entrusted to archeologist for analysis
  • Co-design workshops held to develop the Shared Benefit Program
  • Release of the initial Neighbour Benefit Guide for feedback
2025
  • Wave 5 – Pop up engagements at local community events and locations 
  • Ongoing community and neighbour engagement
  • Release of draft Shared Benefit Program Report for feedback
  • Recognised Aboriginal Parties welcome the return of artefacts to Wiradjuri Country
  • Neighbour agreement process begins
2026
  • Public submissions for the Environmental Impact Statement recieved and reviewed
  • Environmental Impact Statement public exhibition community consultation in April took place
  • Stage 1 and Stage 2 Neighbour Agreements rolled out

How feedback is used

We are listening.

Feedback is received from the community and stakeholders which is then used to inform the project including the design, mitigations and construction methodology.

Through ongoing engagement and continuous listening, the Lake Lyell Hydro has applied feedback in the following ways:

Project design 

  • Inform reference design
  • Considered in project scope refinement
  • Considered in locating infrastructure

Project planning and environmental assessment

  • Enhances Lake Lyell Hydro's understanding of the local environment, potential issues and opportunities
  • Considered in preparing impact assessments
  • Considered in development mitigations
  • Informs community and consultation approach
  • Informs performance requirements for construction and operations

Project construction and operations

  • Considered in construction methodology, timing and impact mitigation
  • Informs communication and consultation approach

Provide Feedback

Shared Benefit Program

We will share around $20 million with the community over the life of the project.

The wider benefits of renewable energy projects are often shared across NSW, not just within the communities where the development is undertaken.

We need to make a specific effort to share the proceeds from the new energy assets with our host community, Lithgow through a co-designed Shared Benefit program.

By understanding and addressing community needs and priorities together, we can ensure that the benefit sharing initiatives make a real difference to Lithgow.

Through co-design workshops and community consultation a range of projects have been identified for further investigations.

This investment into the Shared Benefit Program is dependent on approval by the NSW Government and a decision by Lake Lyell Hydro to proceed with construction of the facility.

Projects for further investigation
New signage and wayfinding for Lithgow

A new wayfinding and signage initiative for the Lithgow local government area to significantly enhance visitor experience.

Development of new Lake Lyell visitor infrastructure

New visitor infrastructure on Lake Lyell to improve appeal to visitor and locals.

Light the Way Community Future Fund

A competitively funded program administered by a representative group of community members to support community infrastructure and events.

Lighthouse Education and Training Trust

Creation of a charitable trust, funded through a single, start-up contribution from the Project and other partners, to support and enhance educational opportunities within the community.

Lake Lyell Workforce Readiness Program

Through education, outreach and established targets, support local workers, businesses and disadvantaged groups to participate in Project delivery.

Lithgow 360* Youth Hub

Increase accessibility for young people to key services, activities and support by providing a youth hub.

Repurposing the Lake Lyell Worker Accomodation Village

Incorporate a legacy plan into the design of the proposed Lake Lyell workers camp to offer long term value to communities in need .

Wiradjuri Cultural Centre

Improve cultural understanding and immersion by providing a cultural centre within the Lithgow local government area. 

Community Consultative Committee

We ensure the community has a formal voice.

The EnergyAustralia Lithgow region Community Consultative Committee (CCC) provides a formal platform for open commmunication between the Project and the local community. Independently chaired, its purpose is to foster dialogue, gather feedback and address concerns. The Project is regularly discussed in this forum.

The CCC follows requirements set by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) meeting quarterly. Membership includes Lithgow City Council, environmental groups, community groups, residents and Wiradjuri Traditional Owners.

Read the latest minutes 
 

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EnergyAustralia and EDF power solutions Australia recognise that we operate and plan for the energy transition on the traditional Country of the Wiradjuri peoples and we respect and acknowledge their continued connection to Country and culture.