We are pleased to announce that the Belah BESS has signed a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Western Downs Regional Council.
The agreement will see at least $240,000 invested annually into the local communities surrounding the Belah BESS, supporting local priorities including housing, skills development and community infrastructure.
Our CBA will deliver a structured and consistent program of investment throughout the life of the project. Funding will be directed towards initiatives that matter most to the local community, helping to support long-term growth and resilience across the Western Downs.
These investments will focus on:
Housing availability and affordability
Skills development and training opportunities
Local infrastructure and community projects
By taking a long-term approach, the agreement provides certainty for the region and helps ensure the project leaves a lasting, positive legacy.
Thank you to the community members and stakeholders who provided their time during the Social Impact Assessment process. Your feedback and comments have directly influenced the outcomes of the CBA.
For more information on the CBA, and how community feedback has been accommodated, see our dedicated factsheet here.
What’s next?
We expect to lodge our development applications shortly. There are two applications:
An application to Western Downs Regional Council for the underground cable connecting the battery to the existing Orana substation, and for the associated lease and access arrangements.
An application to the Queensland Government's State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) for the battery facility itself.
Council and SARA will begin their assessments once the applications are lodged.