Shared benefits for the local community

Armidale Regional Council (“ARC”) has adopted a unique and strategic approach to coordinating community benefit contributions across the New England Renewable Energy Zone (“NEREZ”). ARC has confirmed the following framework:

1. a dedicated future fund, the New England Future Fund, will be established to administer community benefit contributions from renewable energy projects in the region; 

2. the New England Future Fund will be governed by an independent board of guardians, ensuring robust governance, financial oversight, and long-term intergenerational benefits; 

3. the Project will contribute a minimum of $850 per MW of installed capacity per annum (in 2023 dollars, indexed to CPI) to the New England Future Fund;

4. dividends generated from the New England Future Fund will be allocated to community projects that reflect local priorities; and

5. a community advisory board, comprising local representatives, will be convene by ARC to identify, assess, and recommend projects for funding.

These arrangements will be formalised through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (“VPA”) between ARC and LTES Operator as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) process.

In addition, LTES Operator will deliver three community initiatives and a sponsorship program, as outlined in Table 1. These initiatives will be implemented in partnership with the Ebor Progress Association, with development approval obtained through ARC as required.

Local Supply Chain Commitments

The Project will purchase Local Content with a value equal to or greater than the percentages specified below for the relevant phase of the Project.

Employment and workforce commitments

The Project will employ a number of relevant workers for a number of hours equal to or greater than the percentage of the Total Project Workforce or Total Trades specified in the table below.

First Nations Participation

The Project subcontract work related to the Project to First Nations Businesses with an aggregate contract value equal to or greater than the percentage of the Total Project Contract Value specified in the second row of Table below. 

The Project will employ a number of people from a Firsts Nations background for a number of hours equal to or greater than the percentage of the Total Project Workforce specified in the fourth row of Table below.

The Project makes First Nations economic participation commitments equal to or greater than the amount specified in the sixth row of the table below.

Other Social License Commitments

Bridge Energy will undertake to implement the following strategies and approaches to achieve Local procurement, Local supply chain targets, employment and workforce targets:

• Apply the GEP e-sourcing and contracts platform for procurement activities to ensure transparent evaluation, auditable compliance, and incorporation of sustainability criteria. 

• Implement a structured procurement strategy in partnership with the Industry Capability Network (ICN), including supplier identification, capability mapping, and targeted regional industry briefings.

• Utilise Supply Nation to identify and engage First Nations businesses, with early procurement notices and support to meet compliance requirements where possible.

• Utilise the NSW Steel Supply Chain Capability Reference List (and any other suitable resources) to identify and contract qualified local suppliers of Australian-milled steel.

• Actively engage Australian manufacturers for switchgear, transformers, and BOP.

• Partner with regional goods and services providers to strengthen local capability.

• Collaborate with recruitment agencies and workforce service providers to create pathways for NSW workers including apprentices, women, First Nations people, and underrepresented groups.

• Sponsor 10 TAFE NSW qualifications and two University of New England scholarships for First Nations students, ensuring accredited, transferrable skills are developed in the region.

• Implement structured onboarding covering safety, cultural awareness, environmental management, and compliance to ensure all workers are job-ready.

• Provide ongoing career development through role rotations, mentorship programs, and performance-linked upskilling to strengthen the regional renewable energy workforce.
  

Bridge Energy will undertake the following strategies and approaches to achieve First Nations targets, First Nations targets, economic participation, general engagement, reporting, monitoring and compliance.

• Where practical, break larger work packages into smaller contracts and provide early procurement notices and regional briefings.

• Partner with Aboriginal employment services and agencies to recruit, prepare and mentor candidates.

• Advertise roles through Aboriginal-specific networks and simplify application and onboarding processes.

• Sponsor accredited vocational training and higher education pathways to build workforce readiness and leadership.

• Co-develop strategies and opportunities with local Aboriginal stakeholders through ongoing consultation.

• Appoint a dedicated engagement contact to liaise directly with First Nations organisations and communities.

• Monitor participation through internal systems and procurement tools, with regular reporting to stakeholders.

• Implement the Energy Vault Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy to ensure accountability, cultural inclusion and continuous improvement.
  

Bridge Energy will undertake to implement the following strategies and approaches to promote environmentally sustainable procurement throughout the supply chain.

• Incorporate environmental sustainability criteria into procurement and supplier selection processes.

• Engage with suppliers that demonstrate sustainable practices, certifications, or proven environmental management systems.

• Structure work packages to encourage the use of recycled, low-carbon and responsibly sourced materials.

• Prioritise local suppliers and contractors to reduce transport distances and emissions. 

• Require suppliers to implement waste minimisation, recycling and resource efficiency measures.

• Monitor and review supplier performance against agreed environmental sustainability requirements.

• Integrate sustainability obligations into contracts, procurement systems and reporting frameworks.

• Maintain transparent engagement with stakeholders on environmental performance and supply chain sustainability outcomes.