To subscribe to our newsletter, receive updates about the next round of our Community Benefit Fund or register for updates on local business opportunities, email gawarabaya@windlab.com

We want to take a moment to acknowledge the devastating impact of the recent floods across the region. The toll on families, businesses, and entire communities has been immense.

Our Gawara Baya Site Manager, Phil who lives locally in Ingham has kept us closely updated and has spoken so highly of the tireless efforts by local leaders and community members to support one another during this time.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the region, Windlab is exploring ways we can support recovery and long-term resilience. Whether it’s contributing to local initiatives, workforce support, or responding to other community needs, we’re all ears so please get in touch.

The first quarter of 2025 has been a busy one. Our team has been out and about meeting with industry, education providers, local NGOs, and skills and jobs advocates to discuss the opportunities that Gawara Baya will bring to the region.

Townsville engagement has been the focus so far, but with priority and importance Hinchinbrook and Charters Towers engagement will follow in May. These conversations are helping shape a local-first approach to employment, training, and supply chain engagement.

A major milestone this quarter is the awarding of the Civil Balance of Plant (CBOP) contract to Symal. Site mobilisation is planned for late 2025, with construction commencing in early 2026. Over the coming months, we’ll be working closely with Symal to ensure local businesses and First Nations enterprises are well placed to participate in the project.

The project is expected to create up to 300 construction jobs and inject over $200 million into the regional economy and to our point about making a difference, local businesses providing goods and services is a key focus. Our project also provides opportunities around skills development, or long-term career pathways in the renewable energy sector, so please get in touch if you’d like to register your interest.

As we prepare for the responsible delivery of Gawara Baya, we’re developing detailed plans to manage construction impacts, traffic, and environmental protection measures.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as our work progresses, including what to expect when construction begins and how you can get involved.

Building strong relationships with Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation

Windlab is proud to continue strengthening our relationship with the Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation (GBAC), the representative body for the Gugu Badhun people, through a series of productive engagements held recently in Townsville.

Over two days, we worked closely with GBAC to progress the implementation of our shared commitments under the Gawara Baya Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) and the Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA).These discussions provided the opportunity to share updates on the project, report on recent cultural heritage survey activities, and prepare for upcoming phases of work.

Importantly, the sessions created space for open dialogue and genuine collaboration. We deeply value the guidance and insight of the Gugu Badhun people, and we are committed to ensuring their cultural values and aspirations are embedded in every stage of the project.

As part of our ILUA commitments, we also held the inaugural meeting of the Employment Committee. This joint committee, comprising representatives from both GBAC and Windlab, will lead the development of an Employment and Training Strategy to create culturally safe and accessible opportunities for Gugu Badhun Traditional Owners and the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The committee has already outlined its scope, priorities, and vision for supporting community-led employment outcomes across the full employment lifecycle—from recruitment and training through to long-term professional development.

These engagements mark an important step forward in our shared journey. Windlab is committed to ensuring that Traditional Owners are not only consulted but have a say in shaping the project’s future that honours culture, supports community aspirations, and delivers lasting outcomes alongside renewable energy development.

Providing goods and services to Gawara Baya

We are progressing procurement for main works contractors for the Gawara Baya project, with three of the six main works contracts awarded so far.

In line with our local-first approach, contractors will be required to engage local subcontractors and workers wherever possible, with clear obligations around supporting regional participation.

Local businesses and First Nations enterprises can register to be involved on the Industry Capability Network (ICN) gateway, emailing us directly to be added to our supplier database, or filling out an expression of interest form via QR code.

We’ll also be hosting “meet the buyer” sessions later this year, offering businesses the chance to introduce themselves directly to contractors.

Around 300 jobs will be created at peak construction, and we’re committed to building a diverse workforce by prioritising local jobs for local people and maximising opportunities for regional and First Nations suppliers.

Windlab hit the road to build regional connections

Over two productive days in March, the Gawara Baya team visited Townsville and nearby regions to learn from local organisations and explore ways to connect regional talent and businesses with renewable energy opportunities.

Highlights included:

A hands-on workshop with engineering students at TAFE QLD’s Trade Training Centre, supporting careers in the energy transition.

A tour of Tec-NQ’s senior school and training facility, focused on trades, apprenticeships, and industry partnerships.

A meeting with Construction Skills Queensland on their partnership with Ingham State High School, supporting students into construction careers.

Presenting at the North Queensland Industry Breakfast, sharing a project update and highlighting workforce and contracting opportunities.

One-on-one and group meetings with organisations such as Manufacturing Skills Queensland, On Common Country, TEL, MITEZ, and Regional Development Australia.

These conversations are deepening our understanding of the region’s strengths and priorities — and guiding how we can support long-term opportunities as the Gawara Baya project moves forward.

See you at Link2Country!

Windlab is proud to be a gold sponsor of the inaugural Link2Country event in Ingham.

This exciting new event brings together industry experts to deliver an Agri Life Skills Program, providing hands-on learning for students from Ingham, Townsville, and Charters Towers. It also offers a vibrant community gathering that celebrates connection, culture, and future opportunities.

Our support for Link2Country is made possible through the Gawara Baya Community Benefit Fund, and we’re thrilled to be backing such an innovative and locally driven initiative.

Visit us on Friday at the Find Your Futures expo (Location 8), where we’ll have a Windlab stall showcasing the world of renewable energy and the diverse career pathways the sector offers. We’ll also be around across the weekend events — so be sure to stop by and say hello!

Link2Country takes place on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May at the Ingham Showgrounds. To learn more, visit Link2Country.com.au

Get in touch

We’re always available to answer any questions you may have, so feel free to reach out, or visit the website for more information including FAQs on a variety of topics.

gawarabaya@windlab.com

1800 676 864

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