The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance is making a list of community projects that could receive grants and funding from large companies that successfully win tenders to build large-scale solar near Kerang.

The solar project was part of the state government’s renewable energy target plan, including large projects in Robinvale and Numurkah which have already completed the tender process.

Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance executive officer Rob Law said there would be more solar projects in the region as the plan developed – and further opportunities for community groups to get funding.

He said any community groups could be successful, from Men’s Sheds to Rotary Clubs, and encouraged them to be listed in the “prospectus”.

“The key attribute will be about delivering local benefits to the region the developments occur within,” Mr Law said.

“As part of the tender process, the state government will also look at what funding the companies are providing to the local communities. This could flow as far as Bendigo.

“We’re trying to give these companies an idea of the types of projects around here that they could fund.”

Similar schemes have been in operation in New South Wales and the ACT, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars for community groups.

That amount could become available to groups in central and northern Victoria.

Mr Law said the development of large-scale solar was likely to see one of the biggest investments in the region since the gold rush.

“How large-scale developers engage and provide value back to local communities will be critical if the industry is to build long-term social license and support,” he said.

“The prospectus will provide a living database of local ideas and needs that developers can tap in to begin conversations.”

To list your community project and for more information, visit www.cvga.org.au/prospectus.