Infrastructure With Impact

A Clean Energy Collaboration Building a Stronger Region

When most people think of renewable energy, they picture wind turbines and solar panels. But for Squadron Energy and Dubbo Regional Council, clean energy is also about long-term investment in people, infrastructure and place - and building the foundations for thriving regional communities.

In a ground-breaking collaboration, Squadron Energy and Dubbo Regional Council have partnered on a series of infrastructure projects that address some of the region’s most pressing challenges - including water security, housing shortages, and local workforce development - while supporting the clean energy transition across the Central West Orana (CWO) region.

Head of Project Development at Squadron Energy, Trish McDonald, says the goal has always been to move beyond transactional engagement and work side-by-side with local stakeholders. “We didn’t just want to deliver projects in isolation. We wanted to work hand-in-hand with Council and the community to build long-term solutions that reflect local needs and values.”

Instead of looking at each project in isolation, both parties stepped back to understand the bigger picture - what the region truly needs to thrive not just now, but in ten, twenty or even fifty years. By identifying key pressure points and leveraging a shared vision, they’ve been able to deliver a suite of solutions that go well beyond the energy sector, strengthening the fabric of the community itself.

Turning Scarcity Into Sustainability
The most visible of these projects is the new Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWTP) – a $3.6 million investment that will recycle up to 700 megalitres of water annually.

This recycled water will support construction activity across the region, easing pressure on potable water supply while ensuring essential community spaces and assets are protected during times of drought.

Dubbo Regional Council CEO, Murray Wood, said the plant is a game-changer. “This new capability to reuse treated effluent as a new raw water source will be a legacy well beyond the construction pulse of activity,” he said.

“In the short term, the ability to provide raw water for construction reduces the demand on other water sources in the landscape of the Renewable Energy Zone. Being positive and proactive as to the opportunities the energy transition presents for our community lets us do great things.”

Regional Economic Development Manager Bart Sykes added that the impact extends well beyond infrastructure. “Effectively, the 700 megalitre capacity per year drought-proofs our community. It will keep our sporting green spaces alive and ensure endangered animals at Taronga Western Plains Zoo never run out of water. It’s also sparked important conversations about how we can work together on other priorities like roads, education and housing.”

Housing That Gives Back
Recognising the acute housing shortage across the region, Squadron and Council have also collaborated on a number of worker accommodation initiatives. This includes the transformation of the former Bellhaven Aged Care Facility into a 32-bed accommodation site for renewable energy workers – a move that eases pressure on Wellington’s housing market while returning an unused asset to productive community use.

Planning is also underway for a 10-hectare precinct at Keswick Estate, designed to temporarily accommodate up to 400 workers during peak construction. Once the project concludes, the site will transition into zoned residential land for future development – a long-term win for the community.
Growing Local Skills for a Clean Energy Future
As the region prepares for growth in the renewable energy sector, workforce development has become a key focus. Through its partnership with Council, Squadron Energy helped seed the creation of REACT – the Renewable Energy Awareness and Career Training Centre in Wellington. This project recently secured $11.25 million in federal funding and will provide targeted education and training opportunities for local youth, First Nations peoples, and underrepresented groups.

Each of these initiatives was shaped through regular planning meetings, transparent communication, and clearly defined responsibilities. According to McDonald, “The collaboration doesn’t end once the wastewater plant project is complete. We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with the community, Councils and other agencies to support initiatives with long-term benefits while our projects are being developed, constructed and operated.”

More Than a Project – A Model for Progress
Murray Wood believes this level of partnership sets a new standard in how infrastructure and renewable energy development can intersect. “Dubbo Council has of course recognised drought and water scarcity as critical challenges for our local community, particularly as our population and industries continue to grow. With Squadron Energy’s support, we were able to workshop a solution that was going to work for everyone in our community. We turned our challenges into practical solutions, determined a project plan, and made it a reality through this partnership funding approach.”

With other regional councils now watching the model with interest, the Squadron–Dubbo collaboration proves that early engagement and shared intent can turn complex regional challenges into meaningful legacy projects.

As Sykes reflects, “These projects have built a foundation of trust and transparency that will generate ideas and outcomes long after the construction phase ends. It’s a proud moment – and just the beginning of what’s possible.”

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Learn more at: squadronenergy.com