Kennedy Energy Park and partners have donated a vital $120,000 to GIVIT's Queensland Floods Appeal to assist grazing and flood-affected families rebuild after unprecedented flooding in February.
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GIVIT's Founder and Director Juliette Wright thanked Kennedy Energy Park and partners Windlab, Eurus Energy, Vestas and Quanta Solar for their generous donation to support residents of the Flinders Shire in the state's north west.
"This disaster has been unprecedented in the scale of loss but we are now in the recovery stage as residents try to rebuild their lives,'' Mrs Wright said.
"In North Western Queensland it has been estimated more than 600,000 head of stock were lost.
"This incredible donation will allow us to continue providing residents with the essentials they need including locally purchased vouchers for groceries, stock feed and rural supplies, household items and even flights for children from remote properties to return home from boarding school during the holidays.''
Kennedy Energy Park is a world-first wind, solar and energy storage facility located in the Flinders Shire near Hughenden in central north Queensland.
The project is owned by Windlab and Eurus, with Quanta Solar providing engineering, procurement and construction services (EPC) and Vestas supplying and installing the wind turbines. Vestas will also operate and maintain the hybrid park on completion.
Windlab construction manager Martin Vries said, "we have all seen first-hand the devastation and hardship experienced by residents and farmers in the area. The Kennedy Energy Park project stands ready to help our friends, family and neighbours in the Flinders Shire community to assist in recovery from this disaster.''
Quanta Solar president Charles Wright said, "constructing KEP over the last 18 months has provided the opportunity to work alongside this community through providing local employment opportunities, utilising their local services and being residents in their towns.
"When this devastation happened, it was heart-breaking to see people we have built friendships with suffer, so we hope this further monetary donation by ourselves and our partners will help a little way to get them back on their feet.''
Head of Vestas Australian and New Zealand Peter Cowling said, "Vestas isn't just a partner in the Kennedy Energy Park - we are invested in the local community for the long-run. This unprecedented weather event has affected the lives, property and businesses of many, and we hope our donation can help with the recovery and rebuilding process.''
Mrs Wright said 100 per cent of funds donated to the floods appeal would be used to support Queensland families in the devastated area by providing exactly what they need when they need it.
"GIVIT has a firm policy of buying locally whenever possible to support local communities as they recover from this disaster,'' she said.
"The needs of residents will continue to change throughout the long recovery phase as people rebuild their lives. The best way to help is through a cash donation, like this generous one from Kennedy Energy Park and their partners so we can provide exactly what is needed while buying locally.''
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
