Windlab is delivering Gawara Baya in a way that targets improved outcomes for regional ecology, while responding to the potential local impacts of the project.
The Gawara Baya Fact Centre provides up-to-date, verified information about the project, and addresses common questions about renewable energy.
The project
Energy that doesn't cost the Earth.
Gawara Baya is a critical wind energy project with the capacity to provide clean power to up to 250,000 Australian homes, eliminating 1.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from Australia’s energy market every year.
The project is located on an active cattle property within Gugu Badhun Country in North Queensland, in close proximity to the existing transmission infrastructure.
Gawara Baya is an essential early-transition opportunity for new, large scale clean energy generation that can be responsibly developed, grid connected via existing transmission infrastructure and producing power within the next few years. It is a key project driving progress against time-critical decarbonisation, as well as supporting the solution for the critical shortage of renewable energy supply expected by 2025.
Gawara Baya has received all regulatory approvals, meaning construction can commence once the development phase is complete and the project has reached financial close.
The location
Cattle property on Gugu Badhun Country in North Queensland
Gawara Baya is located on Gugu Badhun Country, the traditional lands of the Gugu Badhun people, about 65km south-west of Ingham, Queensland.
The project site benefits from an abundant wind resource and has been home to an operational cattle grazing property for over 100 years. It is situated near existing transmission infrastructure and falls within the Queensland Government's In-flight Far North Queensland Renewable Energy Zone.
The community
Local collaboration to build a lasting positive legacy.
The people of our host community are long-term stakeholders in our projects.
We build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships in the region by working closely with landowners, Traditional Owners, community members and key stakeholders, providing employment and procurement opportunities and supporting community development initiatives that matter to locals.
Respect
For Country and culture.
We recognise the cultural values and Native Title rights of the Gugu Badhun People and formed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation.
The ILUA has meaningful environmental protection, employment, education, and contracting outcomes for the Gugu Badhun People. It has commitments to embed Gugu Badhun culture and language including its name and project logo.
Gawara Baya means 'Wind Song' in the Gugu Badhun language and the logo artwork was created by Gugu Badhun Traditional Owner, Allison Hoolihan.
Responsible development
Driven by local knowledge and expert advice.
We recognise any new development can have an impact, and the upmost commitment and care must be taken to protect environmental and community values.
For more than four years, we have collaborated with Traditional Owners, landowners, community members, regulatory authorities and conservation experts to deliver a responsible project that supports Windlab’s ambition to deliver net positive environmental outcomes backed by science, and meaningful, equitable benefits that meet the expectations of our stakeholders.
Windlab
An Australian company supporting the nation's clean energy transition.
For 20 years, we have engaged locals in our projects, respected the needs and wishes of communities and taken pride in driving positive socio-economic outcomes for local people in regional Australia.
Born out of the CSIRO, we use our own leading-edge technology and globally recognised expertise to find, develop and operate the best performing renewable energy projects in the world.
