What’s happening?
The Tarong Community Partnership Fund has backed a new round of South Burnett projects focused on care, sport, water use and disaster readiness.
The funding will help local groups deliver projects that improve health care, sport, water use and disaster readiness.
Stanwell said the fund is part of its commitment to the communities where it operates. The latest round supports projects that improve daily life across the South Burnett.
The successful groups are Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary, Kingaroy Combined Sporting Clubs Irrigations Association Inc., Wooroolin Community Committee Inc. and Blackbutt RSL Sub-Branch.
Why it matters?
The projects are practical and local. Each one responds to a clear community need.
At Kingaroy Hospital, new ultrasound equipment will support guided IV cannulation. This will help improve treatment times and reduce patient transfers, especially for patients with difficult vascular access.
Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke congratulated the recipients and met with members of the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary while visiting the region.
“Through the Tarong Community Partnership Fund, Stanwell previously supported the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary by helping to fund the purchase of a non-invasive ventilator for the hospital. The ventilator was the first of its kind for the region,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“It’s great that with this new funding, the hospital will be able to purchase ultrasound equipment to further improve patient outcomes for Kingaroy and the South Burnett.”
Local Impact
Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary President Alison Murray said the funding had helped the group make a real difference.
“The support provided through the Tarong Community Partnership Fund over the past few years, and especially in 2026, has made a real difference to our hospital and the wider community,” she said.
“These grants help us deliver important projects and services that directly benefit local people and also assist with upskilling hospital staff and training medical students at Griffith Campus, Kingaroy.
“Our partnership with the Tarong Community Partnership Fund has enabled us to provide improved health services in Kingaroy, leading to better health outcomes for locals and visitors to the region, and enabling patients to be treated locally, instead of travelling long distances for medical procedures.”
The wider community will also benefit from upgrades to local sport and emergency support.
Kingaroy’s sporting precinct will receive irrigation improvements to support better turf quality, player safety and fairer access across user groups.
In Wooroolin, a key tennis court will be resurfaced, with fencing and clubhouse improvements also planned.
Blackbutt RSL Sub-Branch will buy a generator so essential services can continue during power outages. The venue will also be better placed to operate as a community support hub during severe weather and disaster events.
By the numbers
- Almost $115,000 will be shared through the first 2026 funding round, supporting projects across the South Burnett.
- The latest round will support four community groups, each delivering upgrades tied to health, sport, water or emergency readiness.
- In the 2025-2026 financial year, Tarong Power Stations and Meandu Mine invested almost $250,000 across 10 community groups.
Zoom In
The latest funding round supports a mix of essential services and community facilities.
Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary will purchase ultrasound equipment for guided IV cannulation at Kingaroy Hospital. The equipment will support faster treatment and help reduce the need for some patient transfers.
Kingaroy Combined Sporting Clubs Irrigations Association Inc. will carry out a staged irrigation upgrade. The work will include pumps, storage, mainlines and manifolds for the treated wastewater irrigation system at the Kingaroy sporting precinct.
Wooroolin Community Committee Inc. will resurface one of the township’s key tennis courts. The group will also improve fencing and clubhouse areas to support safer community use.
Blackbutt RSL Sub-Branch will purchase a generator to maintain essential services during outages. It will also help the venue serve as a coordination point during severe weather and disaster events.
Zoom Out
Stanwell General Manager Southern Generation Mick Joy said the fund was about contributing to valuable community projects.
“Contributing to our community’s growth and development is an important part of how Tarong Power Station, Meandu Mine and Stanwell operate, and it’s great news that we’re able to support some exciting and essential initiatives and projects this year,” Mr Joy said.
“In the 2025-2026 financial year alone, Tarong power stations and Meandu Mine invested almost $250,000 across 10 incredible community groups, helping to bring their projects and events to life across the South Burnett, Cherbourg and Toowoomba regions.
“Many of these organisations rely entirely on the dedication and hard work of volunteers, and we’re proud to play a role in supporting them in any way that we can.
“We are extremely proud to be part of these communities and will continue to be part of these growing and diverse initiatives and programs for many more years to come.”
The fund opens twice a year and provides dedicated financial support to projects that are impactful, inclusive, community aligned and future focused.
What To Look For Next?
More community groups may have the chance to seek support when the Tarong Community Partnership Fund opens again.
Future rounds are expected to keep backing projects that improve local services, support volunteers and strengthen community facilities across the South Burnett, Cherbourg and Toowoomba regions.
More information is available through Stanwell’s Our work with communities page.
