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 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

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

SCIENCE OF THE SNOWY SCHEME COMPETITION WINNERS

04/12/2023

Snowy Hydro is excited to announce the winners of this year’s annual Science of the Snowy Scheme Competition, from a total of 128 entries!

This year’s competition was created to increase students’ engagement with Snowy Hydro STEM experts during National Science Week 2023.

Stage 2 and 3 (year 3-6) students in the Snowy Mountains and surrounding areas were given the opportunity to take part in the competition, which included a colouring-in and a written response task. The students were asked to answer the question: Who is someone that inspires you and why?

The children were inspired and excited to use their creativity while also displaying insightfulness in their written pieces. Some students wrote about their parents or friends, others discussed their teachers, favourite singers, athletes and celebrities.

There were two judging categories to review entries across stage 2 and stage 3. This included an esteemed and diverse panel of four judges, as well as ‘Community Choice’ voting.

The ‘Judges’ Choice’ panel included the Hon Kristy McBain MP, Member for Eden-Monaro, local artist Rowena Evans, David Eisenhauer from local radio Sounds of the Mountains and Snowy Hydro mechanical engineer Sara Roder.

The competition entries were open to the public to vote for the ‘Community Choice’, where all student work was available for viewing and voting on the Snowy Hydro website.

All judging has now concluded, with a winner and runner-up selected for stage 2 and 3, under each judging category. The winners will receive a VIP catered experience at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre and a STEM prize package valued at $150 and the runners-up will each collect a STEM prize pack, also valued at $150 each.

Snowy Hydro are proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Science of the Snowy Scheme Competition:

Judges’ Choice – Winners

Stage 2 – Ellie Reid | St Patrick’s Parish School Cooma

Stage 3 – Clara Stefanetto | St Patrick’s Parish School Cooma

Judges’ Choice – Runners-up

Stage 2 – Emilio Brazulaitis | St Patrick’s Parish School Cooma

Stage 3 – Cormac Girling | St Patrick’s Parish School Cooma

Community Choice – Winners

Stage 2 – Bella Chorvat | Cooma Public School

Stage 3 – Lola Tonissen | Delegate Public School

Community Choice – Runners-up

Stage 2 – Hamish Walker | Delegate Public School

Stage 3 – Harlan Ingram | Delegate Public School

The winning entries will be displayed on the Snowy Hydro website and showcased at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma.
Stay tuned for the 2024 Science of the Snowy Scheme Competition which will run in Term 2. For more activities, visit the Snowy Hydro Next Generation Education Academy on the Snowy Hydro website. https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/education/nextgen/

News

SNOWY 2.0 PROJECT – COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS IN NOVEMBER

02/11/2023

Interested in the latest updates from the Snowy 2.0 renewable energy mega project?

Snowy Hydro and Snowy 2.0 principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture are inviting local community members to attend information sessions being held throughout the Snowy Mountains in November.

These in-person events enable locals to be updated about the project, ask questions and provide feedback. Hear from the Snowy 2.0 team about:

the recent project reset
project progress, construction activities and news
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 with a significant public focus on Snowy 2.0 in recent months, the sessions provided opportunities to find out more directly from project team members.

“We are committed to being open and transparent with you – our local communities – about our large and complex pumped-hydro project. A project of this scale and complexity has, and will, face challenges, but we continue to make solid progress across our construction and manufacturing operations.

“Snowy 2.0 is being engineered to deliver clean and reliable storage and electricity generation for Australians for the next 150 years. It is a project that is generating jobs and significant investment in regional areas.

“I encourage everyone to come along to one of our community information sessions to hear the latest about Snowy 2.0, discuss any local concerns that you may have and ask questions.”

The Snowy 2.0 community information sessions in November will be held in Talbingo, Tumut, Tumbarumba, Cooma and Adaminaby.

There will be some drop-in sessions, with the chance to speak one-on-one with project team members, and events featuring a formal presentation followed by community Q&As.

Community information sessions schedule:

Date	Town and location	Time
Wednesday 8 November 2023 Wednesday 8 November 2023	Talbingo shops Tumut River Brewing Co	12.00pm-2.00pm 6.00pm-7.30pm
Thursday 9 November 2023	Near Tumbarumba IGA, The Parade	12.00pm-2.00pm
Tuesday 14 November 2023	Cooma Car Club	6.00pm-7.30pm
Wednesday 15 November 2023	Adaminaby Bowling Club	6.00pm-7.30pm

News

SNOWY HYDRO AND RED ENERGY SPONSOR KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL AWARDS

22/08/2023

Snowy Hydro and Red Energy are proud to announce the sponsorship of the Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation category in the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns & Sustainable Cities Awards.

Keep Australia Beautiful NSW is a national non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting litter prevention, environmental sustainability and community engagement.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the company’s sponsorship of the KAB NSW Tidy Towns & Sustainable Cities Awards would help increase awareness about how Snowy is supporting the transition to renewables in Australia.

“We are proud to have lived, breathed and delivered renewable energy to Australians through the mighty Snowy Scheme for generations,” Dennis said. “We are committed to continuing this legacy and enhancing it.

“The combined Red Energy and Snowy Hydro support for the KAB partnership continues our consistent commitment to sustainability and the communities in which we live and work.”

Through its programs and campaigns, Keep Australia Beautiful NSW inspires individuals and communities to take action in preserving and enhancing the natural and built environments.

The Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns & Sustainable Cities Awards celebrate the achievements of communities that demonstrate outstanding environmental practices, social inclusivity, and economic viability. By sponsoring the Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation category, Snowy Hydro and Red Energy aim to encourage and motivate communities to take proactive measures towards climate resilience and a clean energy future.

This category focuses on recognising and rewarding local initiatives that address the challenges posed by climate change. These include the involvement of government and non-government organisations, community groups, businesses, schools, and individuals across NSW focusing on projects like renewable energy, enabling communities to adapt to a changing climate, and community engagement.
For more information about the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Awards and the Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation category, please visit KAB NSW Sustainability Awards website.

News

SNOWY HYDRO PARTNERS WITH STARS FOUNDATION IN TUMUT

11/08/2023

Snowy Hydro is proud to announce a significant partnership with the Stars Foundation to support its new Tumut High School-based program that will deliver improved health, education and employment outcomes for local Indigenous girls and young women.

The three-year sponsorship for the inaugural Stars Foundation Tumut Program continues Snowy Hydro’s commitment to initiatives that support our local communities to develop and thrive.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the opportunity to assist the development of local Indigenous girls through the foundation’s intensive school-based mentoring was extremely important.

“This new sponsorship for the Stars Foundation will help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in the Tumut region to realise their potential in all aspects of their development and wellbeing,” Dennis said. “We want to see these students shine.

“Snowy already has a successful partnership with the Clontarf Foundation in Tumut, which supports Indigenous boys to continue their schooling.

“Enabling the Stars Foundation to deliver their mentoring and engagement programs to Indigenous young women in the same area is exciting for us.

“It’s not only about funding the Stars Foundation’s work – Snowy Hydro also has the chance to encourage students’ studies in science, technology engineering and maths (STEM) fields and highlight career pathways with Snowy through work experience, apprenticeships and traineeships.

“Snowy Hydro is a major employer and community supporter in the Snowy Mountains region, delivering many training and education opportunities, and we want to invest in the success of local people.

“We believe that by empowering these young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, Snowy Hydro is not only supporting students; but their families, communities and future generations.”

Established in 2015, the Stars Foundation provides a holistic mentoring program that supports more than 2,800 female First Nations students in primary and secondary schools across six states and territories.

The Foundation’s key indicators have shown that through this program, there is an increase in school attendance (82% attendance) 13% higher than the Indigenous student average, resulting in over 90% of senior students completing Year 12 every year since Stars programs began. 85% of graduates successfully transition into further study or employment within six months of school completion.

News

SNOWY HYDRO YEAR 9 CAREERS OPEN DAY

27/03/2023

At Snowy Hydro we understand the importance of developing students for the careers of the future, so we are excited to be hosting our inaugural Year 9 Careers Open Day on Thursday 30 March 2023.

The initiative, which is aimed at schools in the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Towong local government areas, continues our strong focus on educational programs that spark an interest in science, technology engineering and maths (STEM) for local young people.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the Year 9 Careers Open Day would allow students to go behind the scenes at the Snowy head office in Cooma to explore the diversity of STEM careers.

“More than 100 students will hear from some of our engineers, climate scientists and technology experts and enjoy interesting, hands-on activities,” Dennis said.

“They’ll learn about Snowy Hydro’s operations and the amazing Snowy Scheme, participate in quality learning experiences, discuss STEM-related career pathways and learn how different engineering roles use maths on a daily basis.

“By showcasing what we do here at Snowy and what opportunities there are for local kids with an interest in STEM, we hope to inspire a future generation of engineers, scientists and technical specialists.

“The Year 9 Careers Open Day will also help students with their subject selections for year 10 and beyond.”

Students will begin their day at Snowy Hydro with a welcome from senior leaders. They’ll experience the fantastic Discovery Centre immersive theatre with a Snowy Scheme virtual flyover, visit the generation operations control room and learn about work experience, traineeships and apprenticeships and tertiary pathways at Snowy.

And that’s just the start!

Snowy Hydro is proud to be launching the Year 9 Careers Open Day in 2023 and establishing it as a fixture on the local schools’ calendar for years to come.