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Our work with communities

Hero picture - Energy engagers

ENERGY. SHARED.

Stanwell is proud to be an active and engaged presence in the communities that host our energy assets and projects. We know that the future of energy requires not only vision, investment and expertise, but the support and participation of local communities. We believe in sharing benefits with our communities through information, opportunities and meaningful partnerships.

Read about our approach to community engagement here, and visit this page to find out about upcoming events and opportunities to meet us in person.

APPLY FOR A COMMUNITY GRANT

Apply through Smarty Grants

Sharing Benefits

Stanwell offers grants to support the people and projects that matter to our host communities. From helping local schools and non-profits to funding community-led sustainability initiatives, we’re committed to creating positive outcomes where we operate.

We work closely with community leaders to understand local priorities and support initiatives that deliver genuine quality-of-life outcomes in Central and Southern Queensland.

In 2023–24, we invested $601,000 in 103 community-based projects.

Social Investment 2023-24 stat

Read more about our community grants here:

HOW WE ENGAGE:

Around each of our projects and sites, we set up different ways to engage and get involved. Read about our latest engagements in our community newsletters.

LOCAL PROCUREMENT

Visit our "Doing Business with us" page and register your local business with us. We are here to help and support local businesses to share in the benefits of the energy transformation.

In 2023-4 $96 million was spent with local businesses in our host communities.

Doing business with us
Regional procurement stat 23/24

OUR PRINCIPLES OF ENGAGEMENT

When working with our communities we apply our values: We Care. We Adapt. We Deliver. Guided by research and feedback we work to ensure our assets and projects sustain and create jobs and investment for regional Queensland - guided by lo voices, choices and benefits from locals.

LOCAL VOICES

We support genuine, ongoing engagement with the communities where we operate. Our approach is inclusive and collaborative, focused on creating shared value as we continue to diversify our portfolio.

We are committed to engaging, valuing and involving First Nations people, recognising their enduring connection to Country and supporting opportunities for active participation and economic benefit.

LOCAL CHOICES

We work with communities to build local capacity and unlock the benefits of the shift to renewable energy. This includes enabling diverse land use, strengthening regional economies and supporting coexistence between industries where possible.

We also support environmental resilience and contribute to biodiversity outcomes and emissions reduction goals.

LOCAL BENEFITS

We are committed to sharing long-term benefits with communities – including social, environmental and economic opportunities.

This includes expanding workforce participation through training and secure employment pathways, and supporting local industry through increased procurement, manufacturing and supply chain activity.

Ever wondered what goes into bringing a new energy project to life?

Explore the six typical stages and timelines to take a project from an idea to construction and the importance of community engagement in this process.

ENERGY PROJECT PLANNING STAGES

  • Stage 1: Site Selection

    There are many organisations actively looking for good sites for new renewable projects across Queensland.

    In this pre-development phase, initial technical work is undertaken by developers to confirm the quality of the renewable energy resource, identify factors that might impact a project and to seek out appropriate locations for energy infrastructure.

    This phase can take place over many months or even years, and may not result in an actual project outcome.

    Securing development land is the first important step in any renewable project.

    Lifecycle - Stage 1
  • Stage 2: Land Option

    Once a prospective site for a project is identified, project developers approach land owners to enter into an option for that land.

    This is also the stage where Traditional Owners of the land would be engaged.

    Following negotiations, a legal land option would typically be entered into with the land owners and an agreement with Traditional Owners.

    This can take a few months to complete. A land option does not mean the project will necessarily go ahead.

    Lifecycle - Stage 2
  • Stage 3: Project Feasibility

    This is the stage where initial investment begins, and technical assessments and project designs are carried out.

    During this phase, applications for planning and environmental approvals are prepared. In some cases, cultural heritage management plans are also negotiated and agreed with Traditional Owners.

    This stage typically involves early engagement with councils, stakeholders and local communities near the proposed project site, and may take up to a year to complete.

    Lifecycle - Stage 3
  • Stage 4: Development Approval application

    Once the relevant technical assessments and designs are completed, the applications for planning approval ('development approval' or DA) and environmental approval are submitted. Depending on the location, some projects need to obtain federal environmental under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act ('EPBC approval') as well as approval for vegetation clearing from the relevant state agencies.

    An important aspect of the development approval phase is to engage with the local council, neighbours and suppliers to consult on how the benefits of the project will be shared with the local community, and strategies the project will adopt to manage the environmental impacts, traffic impacts and other disruptions that will occur particularly during the construction phase of the project.

    The approval process can take around six months, and is still not a guarantee that the project will go ahead.

    Lifecycle - Stage 2
  • Stage 5: Connection Agreement

    The grid connection process is a crucial and complex stage in any energy project. A great deal of behind-the-scenes work happens here.

    Apart from the connection agreement, detailed design, commercial and legal work to inform the Financial Investment Decision (FID) is undertaken and the project developer may look for a partner to off-take the energy that will be produced from the project.

    This stage can take around a year to complete after development approval is received.

    Lifecycle - Stage 5
  • Stage 6: Financial Investment Decision (FID)

    This is sometimes called ‘Financial Close', where the project has the required approvals, a grid connection and necessary funding in place and a decision is made to proceed with construction.

    To secure funding, project proponents may enter into joint venture agreements, or sell their project to another developer to take it through the construction and commissioning phases.

    A typical project planning lifecycle is three to four years from start to finish - although it is not unusual to take longer.

    Lifecycle - Stage 6

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