Regional communities across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria shared in a record year of community investment by Squadron Energy, with more than $3.8 million injected into community partnership, local infrastructure, sponsorship and grant programs in 2025-26.
The investment more than doubled from around $1.6 million in 2024-25, reflecting Squadron’s long-term commitment to ensuring the benefits of the energy transition are shared with the communities who are hosting renewable energy projects.
The funding supported a broad range of initiatives, from major regional infrastructure such as the Dubbo Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility to energy and internet bill relief to local sporting clubs, arts organisations, environmental programs and First Nations initiatives.
Squadron Energy EGM – Corporate Relations and Community, Dan Newlan said the investment record demonstrated the company’s commitment to working with regional communities to ensure the energy transition delivers practical, lasting local benefits.
“Regional communities are playing a vital role in Australia’s energy transition and stand to receive the most economic growth from the transition, but they aren’t necessarily seeing that, so we need to get better at telling the story of the genuine impact these projects are having in regional communities,” Mr Newlan said.
“This year’s investment supported practical initiatives that matter to local people, from improving water security and internet connectivity to boosting grassroots community organisations and environmental programs.
“We’re focused on leaving the communities where we operate stronger by listening to local priorities and investing in projects that make a real difference,” Mr Newlan said.
The largest component of investment – around $2.2 million – was directed towards major regional initiatives, including:
- $1.8 million towards the Dubbo Advanced Water Treatment Facility
- $129, 000 towards upgrading a telecommunications tower in central Queensland
- $270,000 on electricity and internet bill relief in Central Queensland and Central West NSW respectively.
More than half of the investment supported nature and resilience outcomes, with almost $2 million directed towards environmental and community resilience initiatives, including $57,000 on bushfire relief and resilience in Central West Victoria and $7,000 on Landcare initiatives in Yass, NSW.
A further $920,000 was distributed through community benefit funds and voluntary planning agreements with local councils, including nearly $40,000 protecting biodiversity in Victoria’s Wimmera region.
More than $628,000 was delivered through local sponsorships, supporting more than 600 community groups, sporting clubs, events, schools and not-for-profit organisations, including $92,000 supporting sport and fitness in NSW.