RENEWABLE energy company Pacific Hydro has announced the 2022 Great South West Sustainable Communities Fund ware open as of Sunday.

The fund gives local community groups an opportunity to share up to $186,000 in benefits from the Portland Wind Energy Project and Yambuk and Codrington Wind Farms.

South Portland Cricket Club was one of the lucky community groups last year to receive the right amount of money needed to go towards purchasing a new mower for the turf cricket pitch.

The club’s groundsman Troy Warburton said he couldn’t thank the organisation enough for the help in upgrading because it has greatly reduced the workload for volunteers.

“For volunteer groups, the support that Pacific Hydro gives, is just unquestionable, because small community clubs just can't raise the money that is required to buy equipment,” Mr Warburton said.

“Without the grant, it would have been a massive effort to raise the money, so lots and lots of raffle tickets.

“We were using a mower that was donated and it was a domestic mower, now this is a fully professional mower and its more efficient, which is a massive upgrade.”

Mr Warburton hopes to see other local volunteer groups leap at the opportunity so they also can improve, just as they did.

The funding area includes: Bolwarra, Cape Bridgewater, Cape Nelson South, Cashmore, Curries, Gorae, Heywood, Narrawong, Portland, Tarragal, Trewalla, Tyrendarra and Port Fairy and surrounds.

Applications will be accepted across six funding areas – education and training, health and welfare, sport and recreation, the arts and culture, the environment and projects that support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Pacific Hydro is also seeking nominations from community members interested in being part of the Great South West Sustainable Communities Fund Allocation Panel for 2022. 

Participation provides valuable insight into the application process, and more information about activities in the local community.

Expressions of interest for the panel will also be open throughout May.

Anyone with questions regarding the fund or the panel are encouraged to contact Jessica Storer on 1800 730 734 or enquiries@pacifichydro.com.au.