Someva Renewables (“Someva”) and Mainstream Renewable Power (“Mainstream”), the renewable energy companies jointly awarded a permit to investigate a wind farm at Sunny Corner State Forest, have today released the Near Neighbour Program for the proposed Sunny Corner Wind Farm.
Eligible landowners have the opportunity to share in approximately $100 million in financial benefits through the Sunny Corner Wind Farm Near Neighbour Program, which will provide annual cash payments over the estimated 32-year operational life of the wind farm.
Participation in the program is wholly voluntary, and rural landowners with dwellings located within 2.5 kilometres of a turbine are invited to participate. Letters with more information on the program have been distributed and the Sunny Corner Wind Farm team is now meeting with eligible neighbours, many of whom have already expressed their interest in the Program.
Jamie Chivers, Managing Director of Someva Renewables, said the Near Neighbour Program is one of many ways the local community stands to benefit from the proposed wind farm: “If approved, the proposed Sunny Corner Wind Farm could bring substantial economic benefits to the region creating approximately 475 construction jobs and 35 throughout operation, while generating flow-on spending that could support a wide range of local businesses. The Near Neighbour Program is another way local residents stand to benefit, providing near neighbours with a reliable, long-term source of passive income,” said Mr Chivers.
“We’ve designed an industry leading program to provide substantial and tailored financial benefits to residents, depending on how close they are to turbines and their visual amenity. As an example, a landowner living two kilometres from a turbine with a moderate view of the wind farm could stand to receive annual cash payments of $9,500, if the wind farm is constructed.”
“In addition to investing in fire management capabilities, and road and community infrastructure upgrades, a separate tailored Community Benefits Program is also being developed in consultation with locals. This Program has the potential to deliver tens of millions in additional investment to the community and would be administered by Bathurst Regional Council and Lithgow City Council,” said Mr Chivers.
Greg Politakis, Country Manager from Mainstream Renewable Power said: “Since being awarded the investigation permit by Forestry Corporation of NSW, we’ve prioritised listening to the community, speaking directly with nearly 700 locals, conducting two online surveys and hosting five Community Information Hubs.”
“This feedback has been critical in designing the Sunny Corner Wind Farm Near Neighbour Program. For example, we have heard that near neighbours would prefer direct financial payments, rather than grants. We are now excited and proud to invite eligible landowners to take part in a program that can deliver meaningful financial benefits for decades to come. By providing certainty and regular new income streams, the Near Neighbour Program can support local families, provide farming businesses with climate-proof revenue, and contribute to improving the lives of locals,” said Mr Politakis.
About the Sunny Corner Wind Farm Near Neighbour Program
The Sunny Corner Wind Farm Near Neighbour Program is open to eligible residents in Sunny Corner, Dark Corner, Yetholme and Meadow Flat on rural properties within 2.5km of a proposed turbine, as outlined in the Scoping Report Preliminary layout. Payments are scaled based on proximity and visual amenity and will continue throughout the wind farm’s 32-year operational life. Eligible neighbours can participate in the program without signing a non-disclosure agreement or being subject to any confidentiality requirements. Participation does not restrict future property development (such as building a shed or other structures) or the ability to sell the property.
To participate in the Sunny Corner Wind Farm Near Neighbour Program eligible neighbours need to register their interest and sign a Neighbour Benefits Sharing Deed by 5pm on 31 October 2025.
Stay up to date on the investigation of Sunny Corner Wind Farm by visiting sunnycornerwindfarm.com.au or by emailing community@someva.com.au.
For media interviews with Someva Renewables’ Managing Director Jamie Chivers contact:
Chris Williams, 0480 386 879, chris@kaizenco.au