Australia’s renewable energy future is being built in regional communities. Alongside new infrastructure comes an important responsibility: creating opportunities for local people and businesses to participate, while listening to the priorities and concerns of those who live nearby.

Located near Wellington in regional New South Wales (NSW), the Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project combines 243 MWp of solar capacity with a 172 MW / 409 MWh battery energy storage system, enabling solar electricity to be stored for later dispatch.

Gentari and construction partner PCL are working with local businesses, education providers and community organisations to ensure the benefits of the project extend beyond the energy it generates.

Turning commitments into local opportunities

These efforts support Maryvale’s commitments under its Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA), including participation by First Nations, underrepresented groups, learning workers and apprentices. Through local procurement, workforce

development, skills and training initiatives, and community partnerships, the project is helping create opportunities that reflect local needs and priorities.

For regional businesses, major infrastructure projects can offer opportunities to contribute existing expertise and gain experience in a growing industry.

The businesses supporting Maryvale reflect the breadth of skills and expertise available across regional NSW. Examples include Indigenous-owned business Yurruga Indigenous Corp., StructureCorp and NSW-based supplier Bens Tyres, all contributing to different aspects of the project’s delivery.

To broaden participation, Maryvale has partnered with the Industry Capability Network (ICN) NSW to connect local and regional suppliers with project opportunities. Industry briefings have enabled businesses to meet the project team, understand procurement requirements and explore where their services could contribute.

These engagements help increase visibility of regional capability while giving businesses a clearer understanding of opportunities associated with large-scale renewable energy projects.

Introducing the next generation to renewable energy careers

For young people, seeing a renewable energy project firsthand can make future career possibilities feel closer to home.

Students from Wellington High School have visited Maryvale to learn about the people, skills and technologies involved in delivering a large-scale solar and battery project. Presentations and a site tour introduced them to types of work spanning engineering, construction, logistics, project management and safety.

The visit formed part of wider education and workforce engagement, including renewable energy and construction taster programmes.

Beyond school engagement, Gentari and PCL have jointly held job fairs in Wellington and Dubbo, where community members could meet project staff and subcontractors, ask questions and register their interest in potential roles.
Together, these activities introduce people to the breadth of work involved in renewable energy and help them explore where their interests and skills might fit.

Supporting First Nations participation and local capability

Supporting First Nations participation starts with building relationships, understanding local priorities and creating opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses to contribute.

Maryvale’s Industry and Aboriginal Participation Plan (IAPP) provides a framework for this approach, alongside broader procurement and workforce development commitments. Informed by engagement with Aboriginal organisations, businesses, training providers and regional stakeholders, it guides how these commitments are put into practice.

This includes engagement with Aboriginal businesses and organisations, as well as initiatives that strengthen cultural awareness across the project team.

Project representatives have participated in cultural awareness sessions delivered by a local Aboriginal Elder in Wellington, helping build understanding of local culture, heritage and community perspectives. The project has also engaged through the Indigenous Business Trade Fair in Dubbo, alongside activities involving Yarpa, MobReady and the Central-West Orana Aboriginal Working Group.

Another initiative involved engaging a young local Indigenous artist, creating an opportunity to celebrate and promote local Aboriginal creativity and culture through the project.

As construction progresses, continued engagement will help ensure the approach remains responsive to community needs and expectations.

Supporting Aboriginal-led community priorities

Maryvale works with the Wellington Aboriginal Action Panel to support Aboriginal-led initiatives and community benefit funding. By seeking the panel’s guidance on funding priorities, the project helps ensure local knowledge and community perspectives inform how support is directed.

Among the initiatives supported is Deadly Doobayes, a cultural leadership programme developed by Wiradjuri educator and panel member Kerryann Stanley for Aboriginal girls at Wellington High School.

The programme connects participants with culture, identity, kinship and Country through activities involving Elders, cultural educators and Aboriginal businesses. By engaging local artists, caterers and educators, the programme also delivers broader benefits across the community.

Maintaining an open conversation

Hosting a large infrastructure project brings change. Providing accessible information and opportunities for people to ask questions remains an important responsibility throughout delivery.

Maryvale has welcomed students, neighbours, landowners, volunteer fire service representatives and other stakeholders to the site, creating opportunities to see the project firsthand and speak directly with members of the project team.

Alongside site visits and local information sessions, dedicated enquiry and feedback channels enable residents and stakeholders to stay informed, share concerns and seek information as work progresses.

Building towards a lasting regional contribution

Maryvale’s connection with the Wellington region extends beyond construction. As the project moves towards operations, Gentari remains focused on listening to local priorities, supporting participation and putting its community commitments into practice.

The aim is to contribute to the region’s future through the energy Maryvale supplies and the opportunities it can help create.

To learn more, visit the Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project website.