This will give local community groups an opportunity to share up to $114,000 in benefits from the Challicum Hills and Crowlands Wind Farms.

Pacific Hydro claims to be committed to supporting the communities that host their clean energy projects with positive and lasting social, environmental and economic benefits.

Pacific Hydro Australia was founded in 1992 and is a global clean energy solutions provider which also has a growing electricity retail business, Tango Energy, with over 100,000 customers.

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According to the Pacific Hydro Australia website, the Community Investment Program is an Australian wind industry first in which the program gives a portion of revenue back into local communities each year.

The Sustainable Communities Fund is the key pillar of Pacific Hydro's Community Investment Program. Since 2005, the program has provided more than $4.8 million to over 980 sustainable projects in its host communities across Australia.

Eligible community groups and not-for-profit organisations are being encouraged to apply for project funding of up to $10,000 per project in September.

Applications will be accepted across six funding areas - education and training, health and welfare, sport and recreation, the arts and culture, and the environment and new in 2021 - projects that support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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Senior Project Leader Bernadette Holland said she was looking forward to seeing what inventive projects the local community groups come up with in 2021.

"Community groups have done an amazing job in adapting their projects to provide the most effective support through the pandemic. Helping communities recover stronger and more resilient is a key aim of our program and will be a strong focus in 2021," she said.

Pacific Hydro is also on the lookout for nominations from community members interested in being part of the Fund Allocation Panel for 2021.

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 September.

Anyone interested in applying to the fund or being a part of the Fund Allocation Panel should visit the Ararat Sustainable Communities Fund page or Crowlands Sustainable Communities Fund page for more information.

Anyone with questions regarding the Fund or the Panel are encouraged to contact Bernadette Holland - Senior Project Leader, Community Investment and Communications on 1800 730 734 or enquiries@pacifichydro.com.au.

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