Union News

Unions NSW has called on the State Government to reassure local communities that services and events won't lose funding they currently receive from publicly owned power companies once the generators are privatised.

75 community groups across the state could be affected by the sale of Eraring Energy, Delta Electricity and Macquarie Generation.

It is estimated the three publicly owned generators deliver hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to organisations as diverse as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Surf Life Saving, the Muswellbrook Touch Football Association and the Crookwell Country Festival.

"The funding provided by state owned electricity generators to these community groups is critical, but under this sell off, there's no guarantee that funding will continue," Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon said.

"Coalition MPs in each affected community need to explain to these groups how funding will be guaranteed under a privatisation.

"All too often community groups become the innocent victims when governments decide to sell essential services like the state's electricity assets.

"Not only will NSW residents be left paying more for electricity but they will also suffer from cuts to community funding for local organisations like rescue helicopter services and other important social infrastructure."

Areas that will be hardest hit include the Hunter Valley, Lithgow, Bathurst, Central Coast, Crookwell and Albury.

Macquarie Generation Community Funding

 Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Keep Australia Beautiful – NSW Schools Waste Watchers Program
Hunter Valley Research Foundation
Together Today
ClimateCam for Schools
Hunter Medical Research Institute
Hunter Business Chamber & Hunter Business Awards
RedKite – Supporting Children Through Cancer
Singleton Neighbourhood Centre Family Crisis Accommodation
Muswellbrook Touch Association
Muswellbrook Black Coal Cup Golf Tournament
Singleton Art Prize
Upper Hunter Eisteddfod
Singleton & Muswellbrook Shows
Group 21 Rugby League Development Camp
Singleton Library Summer Reading Program
Scone Films Inc.
Upper Hunter School Presentation Days
Murrane Women's Housing Inc.
Hunter Valley Cricket Council
Muswellbrook RSL Memorial Grove
Singleton and Muswellbrook Amateur Theatrical Society
Scone Art Prize
NAIDOC Week Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council
Young Endeavour Scheme – Upper Hunter Shire Council

Delta Electricity Community Funding

 Surf Life Saving
Wyong Council
Lake Macquarie Council
Australia Day Celebrations
Landcare
Tidy Towns
Country Women's Association
Cancer Council
University of Newcastle Central Coast Campus
University of Newcastle Scholarships
TAFE NSW Scholarships
Celebrate Lithgow
Ironfest
Lithgow Annual Business Awards

Eraring Energy Community Funding

Lake Macquarie City Council – Stormwater Quality Program (Adopt-a-SQID)
Marks Point Public School
Dora Creek & Districts Workers Club
CanTeen
Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Hunter Valley Research Foundation
Morisset & Toronto Meals on Wheels
Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol
Dora Creek Rural Fire Brigade
Mayumarri
South Lakes Community Services
Native Animal Trust Fund
Rathmines Scout Group
Warada Aboriginal Landcare Group
Careflight
Rathmines Catalina Festival
Lake Macquarie Council Australia Day Celebrations
Paddlefest at Speers Point
Toronto Lake Macquarie Boatfest
Crookwell Country Festival
Morisset Community Festival Day
Christmas Carols at Rathmines, Wangi Wangi, Toronto and Morisset
Cooranbong Heritage College Country Fair
Albury Special Children Christmas Party
NSW Cancer Council
Camp Quality
John Hunter Children’s Hospital
Smith Family
RNS Bill Walsh Cancer Research Fund
Salvation Army Christmas Toy Run
Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children
Barnardos Australia
School Sponsorships – Morisset High School, Rathmines Public School, Bonnells Bay Public School, Dora Creek Public School, Wyong High School, St John Vianney School and St Paul’s High School Booragul.
University of Newcastle Industry Scholarship Scheme

Sourced from the latest available company annual reports. Additional community groups may be affected but are not listed in company annual reports. Funding levels are not disclosed but are estimated to be in excess of $1 million annually.