Construction is expected to inject AU$200 million (US$130 million) into the regional economy and support 500 jobs, alongside an AU$200,000 annual Community Benefit Fund for initiatives across the Hinchinbrook and Charters Towers local government areas.
Gawara Baya has been developed through what CIP and Windlab describe as a landmark Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Gugu Badhun People, embedding cultural heritage protection, environmental stewardship and economic participation into the project.
The development also includes Australia’s first renewable energy biodiversity net-gain strategy, a voluntary commitment targeting measurable biodiversity improvement over the project’s operating life, backed by an initial AU$4 million investment delivered in partnership with Traditional Owners and regional conservation experts.
Gawara Baya adds to a broader pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects Windlab has advanced through Australia’s federal approvals process.
The company holds a track record of taking more than 1GW of wind assets to financial close and has referred a further eight projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
