Fact centre

Windlab is responsibly delivering Gawara Baya in a way that directly addresses potential impacts, targets improved outcomes for regional ecology, and incorporates community and stakeholder feedback gathered over almost four years of detailed consultation.

This Fact Centre is a useful resource for scientifically verified information on the Gawara Baya project. We encourage those with an interest in the project to get in touch.

Why are you developing the project here?

The location of renewable energy projects is determined by balancing a broad range of opportunities and constraints. These include:

The location and nature of the resource

Renewable energy projects must be located where a suitable resource is present.
To be suitable for clean energy generation, wind and solar resources must have specific characteristics to be viable and ensure reliable and cost-effective supply of energy to the grid.

Access to transmission infrastructure

Connecting to existing infrastructure limits the impact of the project and reduces the time it takes to realise the clean energy benefits of a grid connected project.
New transmission infrastructure can require major clearing and can take years to deliver.

Existing use of the land

Renewable energy projects should be compatible with the existing use of the land. Gawara Baya is located on land used for grazing cattle and these operations will continue alongside the generation of clean energy.

Our ability to responsibly deliver a balanced project

To be feasible, a project must be able to be responsibly developed, financed and constructed in a way that delivers lasting value to our shareholders, stakeholders and the community.

When will construction start on Gawara Baya?

Gawara Baya has received all regulatory approvals, meaning construction can commence as soon as the development phase is complete and the project has reached financial close.

Early works and site establishment surveys commenced in Q2 2023.

Where will the workforce for Gawara Baya come from?

We are committed to supporting meaningful employment opportunities for Traditional Owners in line with our commitments to the Gugu Badhun, as well as prioritising jobs for suitably qualified locals.

At the same time, we recognise that due to the size of the project, a significant proportion of the construction workforce is likely to come from the Townsville and Ingham regions.

Suitable accommodation for a workforce of this size does not exist in the Mount Fox area, and it is not safe for workers to commute to and from site daily. A fully equipped accommodation camp will be established at the remote project site to house workers during the construction period.

How will you get the turbines to site?

Turbine components will come in from the Port of Townsville. The turbine components and all other project construction equipment and materials will be transported to site via Charters Towers and the Gregory Development Road.

Some upgrades to existing roads may be needed, and this is being coordinated with the Hinchinbrook Shire and Charters Towers Regional councils, road users, and the State Government.

We will not be using the Mount Fox Road for any heavy vehicle movements, nor will we be constructing new roads outside the project area.

Why are such big turbine blades being used in the project?

Large turbines generate more power than smaller ones. This means a project can produce more clean energy with less turbines, reducing the footprint of the project relative to the power generated.

The turbine blades most likely to be used at Gawara Baya will be around 80m long, with a hub height (the height of the tower from the ground to the centre of the turbines blades) of 140m. Windlab sought regulatory approval for turbine blades up to 100m in length, with a hub height of up to 200m to enable flexibility in our selection of turbine.

The regulatory review and approvals process is designed to ensure the project is assessed based on the scenario of highest potential impact. This ensures impact mitigation strategies supporting the project are robust.

I have heard wind turbines are a cause of bird and bat deaths due to ‘turbine strike’. How will the risk be managed at Gawara Baya?

Bird and bat strike is a potential impact associated with wind farms that must be effectively managed. We have conducted extensive studies of all birds and bats in the project area and surrounds, to better understand the behaviour of species present, and how these may be affected by the sweep of the turbines.

Any potential impacts must be assessed against modern, accurate data, and management approaches informed by important detail contextualising the strike risk compared to existing threats to birds and bats in the area. For Gawara Baya, some of these risks include feral cats, bushfire, and climate change.

Applying a thorough, evidence and risk-based approach to the management of all impacts associated with the development of the Gawara Baya is critical. This detail, as well as input from Traditional Owners and conservation experts, will determine how the project’s management plans, environmental improvement work and ongoing contribution to the scientific record through study partnerships, can support net-positive improvements to regional biodiversity.

What is the regulatory review process for Gawara Baya?

The comprehensive regulatory review process for wind farms in Queensland requires distinct approvals from Local, State and Federal Government authorities.

Windlab’s development pathway is an iterative process that unfolds over a number of years. Through this process, an initial concept design for a project is scrutinised against extensive environmental and resource studies and refined based on detailed and ongoing consultation with the local community, regional stakeholders, conservation groups, resource management and regulatory authorities.

Gawara Baya has received all regulatory approvals and we expect to commence project construction in the near future.

‍State Government Requirements

Gawara Baya received Development Approval under Queensland’s State Planning Framework in August 2023.

Gawara Baya was required to meet Queensland’s Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s State Development State Code 23 assessment provisions.

State Code 23 assessment provisions require us to analyse the proposed project’s impact on a range of community, environmental and heritage values, and show clear plans for mitigating or managing these impacts.

Our approach was informed by close engagement with our host community, the knowledge of Traditional Owners and expert advice to ensure a robust proposal in line with community expectations.

This thorough process was completed over a two-year period, supported by over a dozen detailed assessments clearly articulating the expected impacts and our plans for mitigating or effectively managing these impacts.

‍Federal Government Requirements

Gawara Baya secured Federal Government approval in June 2024, the final regulatory milestone, allowing us to prioritise financially closing the project, which will unlock major employment, training, land management, and community development initiatives across the region.

The project was robustly assessed by the relevant government authorities under the Public Environment Report (PER) pathway and ensured thorough environmental scrutiny and public consultation to meet the highest standards under the EPBC Act.

Federal approval under the EPBC Act is the final regulatory approvals milestone in Gawara Baya’s development schedule which is required to financially close the project and progress to construction.

The EPBC referral process ensures our plans for Gawara Baya align with the Commonwealth legislative framework that protects and manages nationally and internationally significant flora, fauna, ecological communities, and heritage places.

Several assessments were conducted to provide proper documentation for the initial Gawara Baya EPBC referral, including:

Matters of National Environmental Significance
Land and Visual Impact Assessment
Noise Impact Assessment
Ecology Assessment
Stakeholder consultation

The EPBC Referral was released to the public for comment and was reviewed by the Department and relevant ministers. In November 2021, Windlab received government feedback on our initial EPBC submission and then began further studies to inform the PER) for the project.

As a direct result of the project’s extensive consultation and environmental study work spanning more than two years, Windlab has refined the project from its original 136-turbine concept design to a 69-turbine layout, removing close to 70 turbines from the southern extent of the project area. This decision was made to:

Avoid impacts to high value vegetation and minimise habitat fragmentation for key species.
Reduce cumulative impacts association with other renewable energy projects proposed for the region.
Minimise the visual impact to the community and from the Mount Fox summit, in line with feedback from locals.
Focus on capturing best wind resource to deliver a balanced, efficient, high-performing asset.

The project’s updated find PER was published in September 2023. This report considered and responded to comments received in relation to the draft PER report which was published for feedback and public comment in March to April 2023.

Does renewable energy increase electricity costs?

Australia needs more energy generation to supply demand. The CSIRO’s 2022-23 GenCost Report highlights that wind and solar remain the most cost-effective options for new electricity generation in Australia, even when you consider additional costs like storage and infrastructure.

What is the value of Gawara Baya in terms of decarbonisation?

Gawara Baya is an essential early-transition opportunity for new, large scale renewable energy generation that can be responsibly developed, grid connected via existing transmission infrastructure and producing clean power within the next four years.

New, large scale renewable energy projects must be brought online within the next three to four years for our nation to have a chance of achieving our time-critical, global decarbonisation objectives. New generation is also urgently required to address the critical shortage of renewable energy supply expected by 2025.

Decarbonising Australia’s energy market is central to addressing climate change. Biodiversity is also a critical part of ensuring a healthy climate. Both outcomes must be delivered hand in hand, and this responsibility drives our goal of delivering net-positive biodiversity outcomes parallel to reducing our nation’s reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels.

Gawara Baya supports critical and time sensitive state, nation and global decarbonisation objectives, while offering a sustainable solution for addressing supply shortages and reliability for Australian consumers.

What is the carbon footprint of a wind turbine and how long does it take to offset this footprint?

The emissions footprint of a wind turbine across its entire lifecycle is approximately 2,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Based on our wind data at Gawara Baya, it will take just 70 days of wind energy generation to offset this emissions footprint in full.

Non-renewable power generators in Queensland produce an average of almost one tonne of carbon dioxide for every megawatt hour of electricity. Renewable generators like Gawara Baya reduce the emissions intensity of the grid by displacing non-renewable generation. The average emission intensity of Queensland's electricity grid has reduced 830kg to 650kg of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour between 2018 and 2024 thanks to the increase of renewable generation on the grid.

Analysis is based on a 35% energy production capacity factor (the ratio of actual electrical output over the theoretical maximum electrical output). A capacity factor of 35% is conservative based on our studies of Gawara Baya’s wind resource.

What is the disturbance footprint of the project?

The total operational footprint of Gawara Baya will be approximately 148 hectares, less than 0.3% of the project’s host cattle property location. The project has been strategically designed to position critical infrastructure away from sensitive areas. Windlab has also reduced the number of turbines at Gawara Baya to 69 – less than 50% of the project’s original concept design.

The project's temporary development footprint is 600 hectares, and this includes changes of any kind to the existing cattle property, including previously cleared roads, tracks and grazing pasture. Importantly, this calculation is very conservative, and more than 75% of the temporary development area will be extensively rehabilitated and restored back to native ecosystems.

As a regulatory requirement, about 3,000 hectares of land with the right characteristics will be legally protected and set aside for the life of the impact as compensatory offsets. This is more than five times the amount of land impacted.

We are also in the process of securing additional land that can be improved to deliver suitable, high quality nature reserves as a key part of our biodiversity net-gain strategy, designed to achieve overall improved outcomes for regional species at a landscape scale.

Why was the project’s layout reduced?

The project layout was reduced as a direct result of extensive environmental study work and stakeholder consultation.

The revised layout minimises the visual impact of the project on the Mount Fox community and from the Mount Fox summit in line with consultation feedback and reduces the overall footprint of the project by more than 50%, avoiding discrete habitats for key species, and minimising the potential risk of habitat fragmentation and cumulative risk associated with another project proposed for the region. The changes formed the basis of a design variation submitted to the State and Federal regulatory authorities in mid-2022.

The final design for Gawara Baya includes no more than 69 turbines. Gawara Baya will occupy less than 0.3% of the project’s cattle property location with an operational footprint of approximately 148 hectares. Almost 99% of the habitat available to species across the property will remain undisturbed for the life of the project.

What are you doing to protect native species in the area?

We are committed to ensuring no native species are harmed as a result of project activity.

We recognise the value of the region’s ecology, as well as the importance of biodiversity in ensuring a healthy climate.

We are targeting net positive biodiversity outcomes that respond specifically to the local scale impacts of the project. These include:

Maintaining species populations present in the project area.
Delivering leading-practice offsets in collaboration with regional conservation experts to improve the quantum and quality of habitat in the region.
Achieving a demonstrated reduction in weeds and predatory pests that post a major threat to native species and habitat both in the project area and across offsets.
Implementing protective fire management programs in collaboration with Traditional Owners and environmental experts that deliver a regional ecological benefit.
Contributing to an increase in the ecological knowledge of key species to support broad preservation programs.

Harming wildlife is in complete opposition to our values as an organisation.

From a management perspective, protecting wildlife in the project area is approached in a similar way to protecting the safety of our people, and is underpinned by strict regulatory requirements.

The project has robust management protocols to protect animals and nests found on site, and these must be followed by everyone involved in the project. These include the appointment of expert ecologists to supervise project activity, implement appropriate exclusion zones where necessary, and if required, relocate wildlife.

How will Windlab protect valuable habitat for species?

We are committed to proactive protection of areas of high ecological value within the project area and minimising impacts, including habitat fragmentation, as far as possible. This work starts early in the development phase and is completed in a staged way.

Stage 1 – Ecology and habitat mapping

The first phase involves building a detailed understanding of the ecological values present across the entire project site. This includes mapping known and potential habitat and observing habitat connectivity over several years and across different seasons, using a proven and reliable scientific methodology.

Stage 2 – Targeted ecology and vegetation surveys relative to proposed project footprint

The second step, involves conducting targeted surveys for specific species, based on a clearer understanding the project’s footprint. This process provides an added layer of assurance in terms of understanding and managing our impacts, and ensuring our approach stands up to the highest level of scrutiny.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 are completed over several years, preceding the development of the final design. It is critically important we get these stages right in line with our commitments to our stakeholders and communities, and to protect the viability of the project from a program, constructability, and commercial perspective.

We have completed these two Stages for Gawara Baya. Our understanding of the habitat and ecology on the project site is informed and factual, not speculative.

Stage 3 – Operational Flora and Fauna management plans and protocols

Finally, we have a comprehensive ongoing ecological survey program and robust management protocols which will be implemented during construction and throughout the life of the project.

Why are you using offsets on this project?

Land-based biodiversity offsets are a regulatory requirement. Land-based biodiversity offsets are not the same as carbon offsets.

We understand concerns about the use of offsets as an impact mitigation measure. This is largely due to way proponents have approach offsets in the past – for example, securing land that already has high ecological value and was never going to be cleared, for use as offsets. We can categorically state that this is not our approach.

Offsets are at the bottom of our impact mitigation hierarchy, only used where impacts couldn’t be eliminated or mitigated.

We are securing more than five times the amount of land we are impacting to establish high quality habitat for compensatory offsets alone.

Our offset strategy offers a valuable opportunity to work with Traditional Owners, landowners and ecology experts improve large swathes of degraded land in the region to establish high value nature reserves for the life of the impact. This will ultimately increase the quantum of high-quality habitat in the region.

Our focus remains on delivering net-positive biodiversity outcomes. Deeply understanding our impact is the first part of this broader piece of work.

What is biodiversity net-gain?

Biodiversity net-gain is when the delivery of a project results in better outcomes overall for regional biodiversity.

Gawara Baya will be the first renewable energy project in Australia to implement a robust, scientifically-verifiable and measurable program for achieving biodiversity net-gain. This is a completely voluntary, values-based initiative Windlab is delivering over the life of the project.

Through our Biodiversity Net-Gain strategy we are targeting a minimum 10% improvement in biodiversity at a regional landscape scale through leading-practice ecological restoration and threat abatement initiatives. Our strategy focuses on species potentially impacted by the project, which supports targeted outcomes for these species and creates a ‘halo effect’ that benefits the whole ecosystem.

What will happen once the Gawara Baya reaches the end of its operational life? Will the project be decommissioned, and will the Government/taxpayers have to fund this?

When Gawara Baya reaches the end of its life, all above ground project infrastructure will be dismantled and removed from the site. Gawara Baya’s operating footprint, including tracks, hardstands or laydown areas that had to be maintained throughout the project’s operating phase, will be rehabilitated and restored to native ecosystems in line with our commitments to our landholder and regulatory requirements.

End-of-asset life decommissioning and rehabilitation plans are a regulatory requirement, and a condition of development approval in Queensland.

Windlab takes this commitment further by building decommissioning planning and financing into lease agreements with host landholders from the outset. During a project’s operational phase, Windlab pays funds into a trust to ensure costs of decommissioning can be covered under any future scenario, providing landholders and communities peace of mind.

Is the project within the Wet Tropics?

No. Gawara Baya project is not within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The closest part of the project’s proposed development footprint is 4.8km from the World Heritage Area boundary.

Extensive studies completed for Gawara Baya found no significant direct or indirect impacts to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area associated with the project.

Based on comprehensive environmental study work and through engagement with regional conservation groups, we understand the Wet Tropics ecology does not stop at the boundary of the World Heritage Area, but blends across the adjacent areas and into the Einasleigh Uplands.

Our decision to eliminate about 50 turbines from the initial 136-turbine project layout was made to mitigate potential impact to high value vegetation, reduce habitat fragmentation across this blend area, and address the potential cumulative impact associated with other proposed renewable energy projects in the area, as well as minimise the visual impact of the project on the Mount Fox community.

Have the Traditional Owners been consulted and are they engaged in project development?

Yes. Windlab and the Native Title Holders the Gugu Badhun People have been working together since 2019 and established a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA) in 2020. Our landmark Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the Gugu Badhun was registered in 2022.

The Gugu Badhun People have been actively involved in the project’s development. The Gugu Badhun People have completed multiple cultural heritage surveys of the site in line with the CHMA. The Gugu Badhun People have also reviewed and provided key input into the project design to protect cultural sites and significant places over the three-year development period will continue to be central to decision making on the project as a key strategic partner.

Under the ILUA the Gugu Badhun People will take a leading role in delivering conservation and improvement initiatives with the project, including active land management incorporating traditional knowledge and techniques.

The ILUA also sets up a strong framework for Gugu Badhun People to be meaningfully involved in the project throughout its life, through sustainable education, employment, and enterprise opportunities.

As part of the ILUA, the Gugu Badhun People officially named the project in their traditional language meaning ‘Wind Song’ and will design artwork for three of the project’s turbine towers.

In Australia, cultural heritage is protected under State Law (Queensland Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act) and Native Title is protected under Federal Law (Australian Native Title Act).

Has Windlab consulted with regional conservation groups about the project?

Yes. Windlab has been working with a number of dedicated regional conservation groups to ensure they have the opportunity to provide feedback and importantly, to sense-check our development and engagement approach.

This process has proven valuable and has resulted in a range of leading-practice initiatives being implemented for the project, including the addition of a simple, user friendly EPBC referral portal on Gawara Baya website to maximise transparency and accessibility of information, and a commitment to taking part in CSIRO’s National Koala Monitoring Program.

What community consultation is taking place for Gawara Baya?

Over the past four years we have had the pleasure of getting to know the people of the Mount Fox area and other project stakeholders and learning more about their priorities.

Windlab ensures Traditional Owners, landowners, neighbours, community and stakeholders are included in the development process, have the opportunity to be heard, and the assurance their questions will be addressed.

As we work through the project approvals process, we will continue to seek the community’s insights and provide opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback. This can be face-to-face wherever possible, as well as through phone and email consultation.

To learn more about the project or to provide feedback, contact the project team on 1800 676 864 or via GawaraBaya@windlab.com

What benefits will Gawara Baya deliver to the region?

Gawara Baya is expected to generate an average of around 200 full-time jobs during construction. This will peak at around 300 full-time jobs during periods of increased activity. Gawara Baya is also expected to inject more than $200 million in regional economic value through local jobs, and supply and contracting opportunities.

We estimate the project will provide 10 to 15 permanent full-time jobs during its operational life, with as many of these jobs as possible based in local the local community.

Windlab will also invest $200,000 in regional community development initiatives every year for the entire life of the project. The Gawara Baya Community Benefit Fund will launch once the project achieves financial close and prior to construction commencing.

We’re committed to building a lasting positive project legacy by investing significantly in sustainable regional development initiatives that matter to communities.

What does the project mean for the residents of Mount Fox?

Over the past five years, we have engaged experts to conduct a range of technical studies required to build a detailed understanding of all potential impacts of the project in line with regulatory requirements, and to support open and transparent engagement with the community and stakeholders throughout development.

The Mount Fox community provided feedback on the potential visual impact of the project during consultation on the initial concept design, so we changed the layout to ensure these concerns were addressed. Gawara Baya will still be visible from some public view points including two locations near private residences, and from the summit of Mount Fox. Windlab has worked with affected residents, the community and key stakeholders to ensure potential changes to the outlook from these vantage points is balanced, equitable and meets expectations.

During the construction period, Gawara Baya will have a full-time dedicated community engagement officer, and we will continue to work with the community to identify and address concerns quickly and minimise any potential short-term disruptions as much as possible.

There are several other projects proposed for the area. How are the cumulative impacts of these projects being addressed by Gawara Baya?

The potential cumulative impact of planned developments in the area is a risk that will be carefully considered by the regulator. Windlab is proactively engaging with regulatory authorities and other stakeholders to share industry knowledge that will support risk-based government decision-making. Additionally, cumulative impact was a factor Windlab considered as part of our decision to reduce the project footprint by removing about 50 turbines to the southern extend of the project area.

Windlab is also working with regional conservation and research partners to establish how we can work together to incorporate leading practice into our impact management approach, to support scientific understanding and collaboration in addressing cumulative impacts.

Does Windlab have anything to do with the proposed Mount Fox Energy Park?

No. Windlab has no connection to the proposed Mount Fox Energy Park, and our Gawara Baya project is not linked to the proposed Mount Fox Energy Park project in any way.

Gawara Baya will connect directly to the existing, publicly-owned transmission network via the Guybal Munjan switching station near Mount Fox.

I've heard adding new renewable energy generation can make the transmission network less stable. Is this true?

All energy generators connecting to the grid must address a range of stringent, project-specific technical requirements to ensure system security and reliability. These technical requirements are set by the Australian Energy Market Operator, and Powerlink, which manages Queensland's publicly-owned high voltage transmission network.

Gawara Baya will use advanced grid-forming inverters with integrated energy storage to meet these technical connection requirements. Extensive engineering by both Windlab and Powerlink have shown that the technology will also improve the system strength and dynamic stability of the North Queensland transmission network.

An added benefit of the grid-forming technology being used at Gawara Baya is it can contain excess energy in the grid and redeploy it when it's needed, increasing the efficiency of the energy system overall.

How can I provide feedback to the Gawara Baya project team?

The Gawara Baya team hold a range of engagement and consultation activities in the community, in addition to detailed project update sessions at least twice per year.

We encourage anyone interested in the project to contact the Gawara Baya team via GawaraBaya@windlab.com or by phoning 1800 676 864.

Community members are invited to join our local mailing list to receive project updates, via the form in the footer of this webpage.

Why is North Queensland wind important?

North Queensland’s wind resource has a critical role to play in supporting Australia’s clean energy transition.

A 2021 CSIRO study, and the recent Australian Energy Market Operator Integrated System Plan, have demonstrated the need for wind energy in Queensland to secure the National Energy Market’s three-year, 50% decarbonisation objective, and net zero emissions by 2050.

Windlab’s analysis suggests wind in Queensland, specifically North Queensland wind, is significantly more abundant and reliable than in any other part of the country.

Additionally, North Queensland’s wind resource does not always align with wind resources elsewhere in Australia and typically picks up in the afternoon and evening. This is important, because it means power is being generated from North Queensland wind when there is low or no wind generation elsewhere, and when other forms of renewable energy, like solar, are coming off the grid.

In short, North Queensland’s wind resource is key to supporting Queensland’s renewable energy needs over a 24-hour period, and for supplementing renewable energy consumption in other parts of the country.

Why wind?

Queensland needs more power generation to meet increased demand. Wind is proven technology for energy production.

In most cases wind farms are compatible with existing land use and often coexist alongside farming and agricultural industries.

Power from wind farms can be sold at very competitive rates and this can help keep electricity prices competitive, while supporting Australia’s clean energy transition.

Who is Windlab?

Windlab is the 100% Australian company supporting Australia’s clean energy transition.

For 20 years, Windlab has applied our world-leading science and expertise to find, develop, and deliver the best performing clean energy projects on the planet.

The communities that host our projects are long-term stakeholders. We respect the needs and wishes of Traditional Owners and communities and take pride in driving positive socio-economic outcomes for local people in regional Australia.

Providing more Australians with access to clean renewables and reducing the nation’s reliance on fossil fuel energy drives what we do. We take our environmental obligations seriously, and we work with experts and partners to minimise our impact and protect environmental values.

Australia’s regions are home to world-leading agricultural and mineral resource industries. Wind captured in these regions presents another valuable, resource, and an opportunity to diversify local economies.

Windlab has offices in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

For more information about Windlab, visit www.windlab.com.

Fact Centre

Windlab is responsibly delivering Gawara Baya in a way that directly addresses potential impacts, targets improved outcomes for regional ecology, and incorporates community and stakeholder feedback gathered over almost four years of detailed consultation.

This Fact Centre is a useful resource for scientifically verified information on the Gawara Baya project. We encourage those with an interest in the project to get in touch.

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