News

EVENTS CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF THE SNOWY SCHEME – REGISTER NOW

18/07/2024

Later this year, Snowy Hydro will be hosting two events in the Snowy Mountains to celebrate 75 years of the iconic Snowy Scheme.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the company was looking forward to celebrating this milestone with meaningful, community-led initiatives reflecting the legacy of the Snowy Scheme.

“It’s important that we mark the 75th anniversary alongside those who worked on the Snowy Scheme construction and with the broader community,” Dennis said.

“Snowy Hydro has made a huge contribution to the local region and to Australia. We’re delighted to welcome the community to celebrate this shared milestone with us.

“The next 75 years will be just as important. The Scheme and its Snowy 2.0 extension will help underpin the nation’s transition to a renewable energy future.”

On Saturday, 19 October 2024, Snowy Hydro will host a reunion event at the Cooma Multifunction Centre for the former Snowy Scheme construction workforce and their families.

Additionally, on Saturday, 2 November, a community open day will be held at Tumut 3 Power Station in Talbingo. This event is an opportunity for both local residents and visitors to gain insights into Snowy Hydro’s proud history, current operations and plans for the future. Key highlights of the day include:

Tours of Tumut 3 Power Station
Bus tours to Talbingo Reservoir and the top of Tumut 3’s mighty penstocks
Fun and educational activities hosted by the Snowy STEM Academy
Food and coffee from local vendors

Registration for both events is now open on the Snowy Hydro website at snowyhydro.com/75years – it is essential to secure your place so register now.

For more information about the Former Worker Reunion Event and Tumut 3 Community Open Day, please visit the Snowy Hydro website or contact community@snowyhydro.com.au.

Information about these celebrations will be updated regularly on the Snowy Hydro website and social media channels.

News

SNOWY HYDRO GOES NATIONAL WITH POWERING UP THE FUTURE COMPETITION

08/07/2024

Snowy Hydro’s annual science competition is going Australia-wide! For the first time, children across the nation can power up the future with their renewable energy ideas for the chance to win prizes valued up to $3,000.

The inaugural Powering up the Future Competition will continue Snowy Hydro’s commitment to fostering learning opportunities through the successful Snowy STEM Academy and its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Powering up the Future Competition asks students throughout Australia to be a Snowy Hydro ‘futurist’ and present a creative, innovative idea or invention that offers a solution to reduce emissions in a renewable world. The competition is open now and closes at midnight on Sunday 11 August 2024.

With a growing opportunity and demand for emerging careers, Snowy Hydro Group Executive Safety, People, Community and Services Gabrielle Curtin, said it was important to engage the workforce of tomorrow in STEM from a young age.

“Today’s children need to be prepared for the future. This competition is a great way to inspire young people to take a deep dive into innovative ideas and develop problem-solving skills that will transform the energy industry for generations to come,” Gabrielle said.

“It will help students learn more about renewables and energy emissions and hopefully spark their curiosity in STEM pathways.”

The Powering up the Future Competition calls on students in years 3 to 12 to investigate what a renewable energy future might look like and provide a solution for reducing energy emissions.

There are some fantastic prizes to be won, including overnight experiences at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, exploring Taronga’s Institute of Science and Learning immersive classrooms, STEM subscriptions and gift cards.

Entries for the Powering up the Future competition must be submitted on the official competition webpage. There are two age categories: Junior (aged 8 to 12 years old) and Senior (aged 13 to 18 years old).

An independent panel of esteemed and diverse community representatives will determine Judge’s Choice winners. In addition, members of the public will be able to vote online for their favourite entry for the Community Choice in each age category.

The winning entries will be displayed on the Snowy Hydro website and showcased at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma.

For more details about the Powering up the Future Competition, including full terms and conditions, visit https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/powering-up-the-future-competition/ or email the Snowy Hydro education team at snowystemacademy@snowyhydro.com.au

News

SNOWY HYDRO COMMEMORATES 75 YEARS OF THE SNOWY SCHEME

06/06/2024

In 2024, Snowy Hydro will proudly celebrate 75 years of the iconic Snowy Scheme with a series of community-focused initiatives. Snowy Hydro will host several events and support grassroots, community-led projects through a special 75th Anniversary Community Grants Fund, honouring our decades of commitment to the Snowy Mountains community.

To honour the former workforce who constructed the Snowy Scheme, along with their families, Snowy Hydro will host a reunion event in Cooma on Saturday, 19 October. The Tumut 3 Power Station Community Open Day is also confirmed for early November in Talbingo.

While celebrating our 75-year milestone, Snowy Hydro is also committed to supporting local, emerging leaders who will continue the legacy of the Snowy Scheme into the future. As part of this commitment, the company will launch a university scholarship program to commence in 2025, with details to be announced in August.

The 75th Anniversary Community Grants Fund offers grants of up to $5,000 for local community groups. This targeted funding aims to empower local community groups to celebrate the proud history of the Snowy Scheme in ways that are most meaningful to them.

The first construction blast of the Snowy Scheme took place in Adaminaby on 17 October 1949, 75 years ago. With a strong tradition of celebrating milestones and honouring the legacy of the Snowy Scheme, Snowy Hydro recognises that these celebrations are deeply shared with the communities across the Snowy Mountains, many of which were established during the construction era.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the company was committed to acknowledging this significant milestone with meaningful, community-led initiatives reflecting the legacy of the Snowy Scheme.

“We understand the community’s expectations for the 75th anniversary to be marked appropriately, especially among those with family members who worked on the Snowy Scheme construction. We believe that community-led celebrations and projects will resonate, particularly with those who appreciate the huge contribution the Scheme has made and continues to make to Australia,” Dennis said.

Successful applications for the 75th Anniversary Community Grants Fund must clearly demonstrate a connection to the history and legacy of the Snowy Scheme, with innovative and creative ideas strongly encouraged.

Initiatives should show how they will engage and benefit the local community and recognise the former workforce. Additionally, applications must provide a clear plan for execution, including timelines with a detailed budget outlining the use of the grant funds.

Through these initiatives, Snowy Hydro hopes to foster a deeper connection to our shared heritage and to highlight the historical significance and lasting impact of the Snowy Scheme.

By supporting these community-led endeavours, Snowy Hydro hopes the memories and stories of the Snowy Scheme continue to be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.

For more information about the 75th Anniversary Community Grants Fund, how to apply and the assessment criteria, please visit our website at www.snowyhydro.com.au/75years or contact community@snowyhydro.com.au

News

SNOWY HYDRO BOOSTS STEM EDUCATION IN 27 LOCAL SCHOOLS

04/06/2024

In 2024, thousands of students across 27 schools will benefit from Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund program. In its second year, the targeted funding is providing a substantial $220,265.83 across 18 locations in the Snowy Mountains and Cessnock regions of New South Wales.

As part of Snowy Hydro’s ongoing commitment to education, we are supporting a diverse range of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) initiatives in local schools.

Successful funding applications in 2024 include STEM-focused projects such as micro-bit and Smart City Kits, coding kits, a Solar Buddies program, plastics recycling initiatives, STEM excursions, VEX robotics clubs, equipment for race car design, STEM camps and excellence programs.

This year, responding to the resounding success of the 2023 program, Snowy Hydro is extending its STEM funding support to include schools in the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA) near where our Hunter Power Project is located.

With this expansion, we now provide opportunities to schools within Towong, Snowy Valleys, Snowy Monaro, and Cessnock LGAs. This broader reach recognises Snowy Hydro’s commitment to fostering a strong STEM education environment, which is essential for preparing students for future careers in technology, engineering, and renewable energy.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the Local School STEM Fund provides opportunities for students to engage in real-world problem-solving that may otherwise not be possible in regional schools.

“We know the more opportunities we can provide for students to experience the hands-on application and diversity of STEM, the more they will appreciate the value of studying the relevant subjects,” Dennis said. “We want to encourage young people to pursue rewarding and fulfilling STEM careers.”

While only in its second year, the Local School STEM Fund has already encouraged collaboration among eligible schools, expanded individual initiatives, and developed local competitions. Snowy Hydro looks forward to fostering further growth and engagement in STEM-related fields, ensuring students have the skills and experiences necessary for their future success.

The next round of the Local School STEM Fund will open in early 2025.

For more information about Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund, visit https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/local-school-stem-fund/

Click here to read the Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund 2024 report.

News

SNOWY HYDRO INJECTS $200K INTO LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS

03/06/2024

Snowy Hydro is proud to announce that 30 local community groups will benefit from $204,000 in funding for Round 1 of Snowy Hydro’s 2024 Community Grants Program. This round attracted a record number of applications, with 89 submissions, highlighting the demand for funding within the local community.

The successful applications highlight the diversity of the Snowy Mountains region and the range of great initiatives and ideas generated by local community groups.

These include local events that foster community spirit, race meets to support local community fundraising, equipment for health services and respite housing that enhances well-being, tourism signage to boost the local economy, tree-planting activities that preserve our environment, and solar installations that promote sustainable development.

All these projects align with Snowy Hydro’s four community commitment pillars: education and development, health and wellbeing, regional capacity building, and the environment.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes emphasised the importance of the Community Grants Program in supporting local initiatives.

“The Snowy Hydro Community Grants Program is essential to our commitment to fostering vibrant, resilient communities,” Dennis said.

“By funding these projects, we are helping to build stronger local connections, enhance community health and wellbeing, and promote sustainable development across the region. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact these grants have on our community.”

The next round of the Community Grants Program will open in September 2024. Snowy Hydro invites all local community groups to apply and share their innovative ideas.

Community groups interested in applying can find more information and application details on our website www.snowyhydro.com.au/communitygrantsprogram

Click here to read the Community Grants 2024 – Round 1 report.

News

SNOWY HYDRO SHOWCASES STEM CAREERS FOR LOCAL STUDENTS IN TALBINGO

09/04/2024

More than 60 local year 10 students have participated in a Snowy Hydro careers day at Talbingo and gained insights into exciting career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Students and teachers from Tumut High School and McAuley College took part in the Snowy STEM Academy initiative, working with engineers, climate scientists, and tradespeople to explore careers in the renewable energy sector.

The group went behind the scenes for an in-depth look at Australia’s largest pumped-hydro facility, Tumut 3 Power Station, and enjoyed a career panel with a question and answer discussion and hands-on activities.

Students also attended elective presentations based on their STEM interests and chose from drone technology, environmental science, trade skills, and engineering options. They even had the opportunity to operate a mini power station.

This STEM-focused initiative reinforced Snowy Hydro’s commitment to supporting regional education and developing the future workforce.

It showcased the diverse range of careers available in STEM fields, providing real-life tangible outcomes that will help students make informed decisions about their future education and career paths.

“We were excited to open our doors to local students and give them a glimpse into the world of renewable energy and STEM careers,” said Snowy Hydro Area Manager Peter Symons.

“Snowy Hydro is committed to supporting education and fostering the next generation of STEM professionals and tradespeople.”

Inviting students to experience a working power station aligns with the broader initiatives of the Snowy STEM Academy, which aims to bridge the gap between education and industry, preparing students for future opportunities in the renewable energy sector.Snowy Hydro encourages interested teachers and parents to find out more about the Snowy STEM Academy, by visiting www.snowyhydro.com.au/snowystemacademy.

News

HAVE YOUR SAY: SNOWY HYDRO LAUNCHES COMMUNITY INSIGHTS CAMPAIGN

05/04/2024

Snowy Hydro is launching a community insights campaign to better understand the social impacts of the Snowy 2.0 project.

The campaign seeks to engage and connect with community members across south-eastern NSW to gather insights, opinions, and experiences related to Snowy Hydro operations and the Snowy 2.0 project.

Through an online survey available at www.snowyhydro.com.au/haveyoursay, we invite residents, stakeholders, and interested parties to share their perspectives and help shape the future of their communities. A series of focus groups, one-on-one meetings, phone surveys and community pop-up stalls will support the online survey.

“This campaign reiterates Snowy Hydro’s commitment to transparent and inclusive community engagement,” said Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes.

“We value the input of our community members and recognise the importance of understanding their needs and concerns.”

The survey, which will be open until 5 May 2024, covers a range of topics, including community sentiment, perceptions of the Snowy 2.0 project, and suggestions for improving Snowy Hydro’s community engagement efforts. Participation is open to individuals aged 18 and above who reside or own property in the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Towong, Bega Valley and surrounding local government areas.

“We encourage you to take part in this survey and contribute to the dialogue surrounding the Snowy 2.0 project and its impact on our communities,” added Mr Barnes.

“Your feedback will be important in informing Snowy Hydro’s social impact strategy and community engagement initiatives.”

Throughout April, Snowy Hydro representatives will engage with stakeholders in key regional towns, fostering open conversations about Snowy Hydro’s operations and future priorities. The consolidation of survey findings is planned for June 2024, with a publication of key results expected in July 2024.

For more information or to participate in the survey, please visit www.snowyhydro.com.au/haveyoursay.

Additionally, feedback or inquiries can be directed to Snowy Hydro via phone at 1800 623 776 or email at community@snowyhydro.com.au

News

SNOWY HYDRO BOOSTS NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS WITH COMMUNITY GRANTS OF UP TO $10,000

27/03/2024

Snowy Hydro continues its strong commitment to supporting local communities by announcing the opening of the first round of funding for its 2024 Community Grants Program. Through this bi-annual program, Snowy Hydro supports not-for-profit organisations and community groups to foster social, economic and regional resilience across the Snowy Mountains.

In 2023, Snowy Hydro proudly provided $300,000 in community grant funding to various projects, including care packs for cancer patients, improvements to the Gudja Gudja cultural reserve, playground equipment, a youth mentoring program, new displays for heritage museums, and support for many local events and festivals.

The Snowy Hydro Community Grants Program attracts numerous applications each round, reflecting the region’s high demand for funding support.

To increase the chances of success, applicants must align their submissions with Snowy Hydro’s four community commitment pillars: education and development, health and wellbeing, regional capacity building, and environment. All applications must address the specified assessment criteria and meet the eligibility requirements.

Funding opportunities are available across the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) where Snowy Hydro operates its hydro assets. Grants of up to $10,000 are on offer to support local projects, festivals, events, and initiatives that contribute positively to the communities of the Snowy Mountains and surrounding areas.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications online through the Snowy Hydro website.

Notably, for the 2024 funding round, Snowy Hydro has introduced a new application system to streamline the process. The grant platform allows applicants to register and have their own dashboard to track the application. Application saving and returning is possible, and additional members of your group can be invited to provide input into the application.

The deadline for submissions is Sunday, 7 April 2024.

For more information about Snowy Hydro’s Community Grants Program, visit: https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/communitygrantsprogram/

News

COMMUNITY CELEBRATES STARS FOUNDATION LAUNCH IN TUMUT

13/03/2024

A community open day has been held at Tumut High School to celebrate the official launch of the inaugural Stars Foundation Tumut Program, sponsored by Snowy Hydro.

Students, parents, community members and local Indigenous Elders attended the Tuesday 12 March event, along with representatives from the Stars Foundation, Tumut High School, Department of Regional NSW, Snowy Valleys Council and Snowy Hydro.

The partnership will provide long-term improved health, education and employment outcomes for Indigenous girls and young women from Tumut and the surrounding region.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the company’s three-year sponsorship for the Stars Foundation Tumut Program continued Snowy’s commitment to initiatives that supported young people’s education and wellbeing.

“There are 39 students involved in the first year of the Stars Foundation Tumut Program and we look forward to engaging with these inspiring young women in a variety of ways, including encouraging their studies in science, technology engineering and maths (STEM) fields.

“We’re keen to highlight the many career pathways with Snowy through work experience, apprenticeships and traineeships.

“Snowy Hydro is a major local employer in the Snowy Mountains region and we are committed to supporting and investing in the success of local people.”
Founder and CEO of Stars Foundation, Andrea Goddard, said: “Stars is delighted to be working with the Tumut community and we welcome the opportunity to support and empower the First Nations Tumut students to identify their goals and reach their full potential.
“We are very grateful for the commitment from Snowy Hydro to enable us to establish this new Stars program for the Tumut community.”
Established in 2015, the Stars Foundation provides a holistic, intensive, full-time mentoring program that supports and empowers more than 3,020 female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women in primary and secondary schools across six states and territories.

News

JOIN US FOR SNOWY 2.0 COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

08/03/2024

If you’re interested in the latest updates from the Snowy 2.0 project, come along to information sessions being held throughout the Snowy Mountains this month.

The Snowy 2.0 delivery team, led by Snowy Hydro, is hosting events in Talbingo, Tumut, Tumbarumba, Adaminaby and Cooma, with opportunities to find out more about the project, ask questions and provide your feedback.

These in-person events will cover a range of topics including:

project news and construction activities
engineering innovations and manufacturing
traffic management, environment and safety
accommodation, recreation access and other local issues;
local suppliers, jobs and training on Snowy 2.0.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said it was essential local people were updated about progress on Snowy 2.0 and that they understood the significance of the project.

“What’s being constructed right here in the mountains is a critically important renewable energy project that will help maintain Australia’s grid security and reliability well into the future,” Dennis said.

“It is a large and complex project that’s also generating jobs and significant investment in regional areas.

“We’re committed to keeping our local communities informed about Snowy 2.0 and responding to any concerns. We are available to answer questions at our information sessions so I encourage people to come along to hear from the project team directly.”

The Snowy 2.0 community information sessions are held twice yearly. Some are drop-in sessions, with the chance to speak one-on-one with project team members from Snowy Hydro and principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture. Other events feature a formal presentation followed by community Q&As.

Community information sessions schedule:

Date	Town and location	Time
Thursday 14 March 2024 Thursday 14 March 2024	Talbingo shops Tumut River Brewing Co	12pm – 2pm 6pm – 7.30pm
Friday 15 March 2024	Near Tumbarumba IGA, The Parade	12pm – 2pm
Wednesday 20 March 2024	Adaminaby Bowling Club	6pm – 7.30pm
Thursday 21 March 2024	Cooma Car Club	6pm – 7.30pm

News

SNOWY HYDRO STEM FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS NOW AVAILABLE

19/02/2024

Following the success of the inaugural Snowy Hydro Local School STEM Fund in 2023, the funding program focused on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) excursions will run again in 2024. Snowy Hydro will extend the opportunity for Snowy Mountains and Cessnock schools to apply for grants of up to $10,000.

Recognising that today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, Snowy Hydro plays a pivotal role in supporting teachers and students by aligning educational programs with industry expertise.

Last year these grants provided thousands of students and 18 Snowy Mountains schools – primary and secondary, both public and private – hands-on interactive STEM experiences.

The program is part of Snowy Hydro’s ongoing commitment to local regions, which already supports various STEM initiatives, including a First Nations Science Camp, the development of a robotics club, 3D printers, an aquaponics project and the enhancement of school resources for the next generation of innovators.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said: “Snowy is dedicated to fostering education opportunities in and out of the classroom and assisting in developing career pathways.
“The funding is just one example of Snowy Hydro’s ongoing commitment to education and development in support of STEM, particularly among our local communities.”

The funding program complements Snowy’s successful Snowy STEM Academy, the annual Science of the Snowy Scheme Competition, and the unique tailored programs for local schools.

Applications for the 2024 Local School STEM fund open Monday 26 February and must be lodged by Monday 25 March.

Local schools can apply for funding of up to $10,000 to support science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) related excursions, student sponsorship, equipment, and camps.

All applications must be completed online via the Snowy Hydro website.

For more information about Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM fund and to apply visit: https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/local-school-stem-fund-2024/

News

IN THE SWIM AT TALBINGO RESERVOIR

16/11/2022

Snowy Hydro’s Talbingo Reservoir and its new swimming, picnic and boating facilities will be a focal point for the local community and visitors over summer.

Snowy’s acting CEO Roger Whitby, the Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr and Snowy Valleys Council Mayor Ian Chaffey recently had the opportunity to view the upgraded recreation area as part of the Tumut 3 Power Station 50th birthday celebrations.

The facilities include a safe swimming beach with improved pedestrian access and car parking, a large picnic shelter, grassed areas, a widened two-lane boat ramp and new mooring pontoon.

Snowy Hydro contributed $560,000 to the recreation area project, with the NSW Government investing $850,000. Snowy Valleys Council managed construction of the project, which was completed in February this year.

Mr Whitby said Snowy Hydro always proudly supports the local communities it lives and operates in.

“We have been extremely pleased to contribute to this recreation improvement project in Talbingo, a town constructed as part of the mighty Snowy Scheme and just down the road from Tumut 3 Power Station.

“We think the community and the many visitors who come to the area for fishing, water skiing and swimming will really enjoy the upgraded amenities.

“The new facilities allow boats to continue using Talbingo Reservoir while swimmers have a safe and friendly spot to keep cool.”