Gawara Baya: A Wind Song For Hinchinbrook

Hinchinbrook Life Column – 29 July 2025

Out near Mount Fox, where the wind whips through the hills and the skies stretch forever, something big is on the horizon at Kilcooney Station. Gawara Baya, meaning “Wind Song” in the language of the Gugu Badhun People isn’t just a wind farm. It’s a new chapter for Hinchinbrook. One with local jobs, real investment, and a long-term focus on people, not just power.

Led by Windlab, a renewable energy company with deep roots in Australia, Gawara Baya is set to generate 400 megawatts of clean electricity. That’s enough to power 240,000 homes each year and cut over a million tonnes of carbon emissions.

But this story isn’t just about clean energy, it’s about what it means for our communities. It’s bringing local jobs front and centre. At the heart of this project is a strong push to employ local workers and back local businesses. During peak construction, Gawara Baya will create around 300 direct jobs across trades, transport, catering, environmental services, and more. Windlab is partnering with contractors who have committed to hiring locally and using local suppliers.

They’ve set ambitious targets. At least 10% of total labour hours coming from workers living within 160 kilometres of the site. That includes Mount Fox, Ingham, and neighbouring towns. And at least 50% of all labour hours will be delivered by workers who call Queensland home, meaning more work for people already living in the region, and fewer fly-in, fly-out crews.

Local businesses are being invited to get involved in everything from concrete supply, earthmoving and fencing, fuel and water carting, quarry and gravel materials, civil and electrical labour, traffic control, cleaning and catering, and transport and logistics. So, if you run a small business or know someone looking for work in the trades, this could be your chance to get involved in something big, right here at home.

Windlab is helping build careers and training the next generation. The company has been working with local schools, training providers and organisations like Construction Skills Queensland to support hands-on learning and inspire young people to explore careers in construction, engineering, and environmental science.

Initiatives like the Link2Country Find Your Futures Expo and classroom visits have already made an impact, with more to come as the project moves closer to construction. Windlab is also exploring opportunities for apprenticeships, site visits and work experience, making sure the region’s next generation has a clear pathway into the clean energy industry.

Built with care, not shortcuts, Gawara Baya has been shaped by three years of consultation with landowners, Mount Fox community, environmental experts and Traditional Owners. The layout of the wind farm has been adjusted to minimise visual and ecological impacts, with careful consideration given to local wildlife and cultural values.

Windlab is also investing in a first-of-its-kind 20-year biodiversity strategy that will go beyond basic offsets. The goal is to deliver long-term improvements for local ecosystems, restoring native habitats, protecting species, and managing threats to biodiversity in the region.

Respecting Country and culture of the Gugu Badhun People, the Traditional Owners of the land, are key partners in this project. Windlab and the Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation have a long-term agreement in place to ensure the project reflects shared values, including respect for Country, culture, and community. This partnership includes cultural heritage management, employment and training pathways, and support for community-led priorities.

Windlab will also formally launch its Community Benefit Fund of $200,000 every year to support local initiatives. That could include community halls, sporting events, youth programs, or infrastructure upgrades. Ideas are welcome from anyone – residents, groups, or Council. Already, Windlab has supported events like the Ingham Industry Breakfast and the Find Your Futures Expo, with more local partnerships on the way.

To explore how you can get involved, Windlab will be sharing more about local supply and workforce opportunities at two upcoming events hosted by Hinchinbrook Shire Council and the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc:

Hinchinbrook Industry Networking Event, Thursday 7th August 2025.
Hinchinbrook Industry Breakfast Event, Friday 8th August 2025.

Join us to learn how your business or organisation can be part of this region-defining project. Visit www.gawarabaya.com to learn more or join our mailing list by emailing gawarabaya@windlab.com.

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(Copied from “Gawara Baya: A Wind Song For Hinchinbrook” – Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper, 29th July 2025)