General News
31 May, 2026
Battery scheme will profit Tully groups
THE Tully community is to receive its own dedicated grant program worth $125,000 a year as part of an agreement between the operator of a battery project and council.
RWE and Cassowary Coast Regional Council have signed the $3.45 million Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) for the Tully battery project and officially opened the Tully Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project office.
The CBA supports the development of the Tully BESS, currently the largest battery energy storage project proposed for Far North Queensland, and will deliver long-term investment directly into the local community over a 23-year period.
At the heart of the agreement is the establishment of the RWE Tully Community Fund, which will provide sustained funding support for local initiatives across Tully and surrounding areas.
The fund will deliver:
$125,000 per annum aligned with council’s community grants program
$25,000 per annum to support a dedicated local Tully trainee position responsible for administering the fund
Funding will commence during the construction phase of the project, with priorities guided by an RWE Tully Community Benefit Group to ensure the program remains community-led and tailored to local needs. The CBA was co-designed by RWE and council through a collaborative process involving the project’s social impact assessment.
RWE Renewables Europe and Australia CEO Dan Belton said the company was “proud to partner with Cassowary Coast Regional Council on a community benefit agreement shaped through genuine collaboration and informed by community feedback”.
“The RWE Tully Community Fund has been specifically tailored for local communities and will provide long-term support to the initiatives that matter most to local residents,” he said.
“This agreement, and the opening of our project office in the heart of the town, reflect our long-term commitment to Tully and surrounds.
“We also encourage local businesses and contractors to speak with us about the 28 work packages currently open as part of the project’s development phase.”
Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood said the agreement represented “an important long-term investment into the Tully community and demonstrates what can be achieved through strong collaboration between council, industry and the community”.
“The establishment of the RWE Tully Community Fund and support for a dedicated local trainee position will help ensure tangible benefits flow back into local communities for many years to come,” she said.
“We also welcome the opening of the Tully project office, which provides an accessible place for residents, local businesses and stakeholders to connect directly with the project team and stay informed as the project progresses.”
The office will serve as an ongoing information hub and community engagement point throughout the project lifecycle.
For more information visit www.bit.ly/4v6H4lf
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