Wongalee wind energy project receives EPBC approval
Published by Abby Butler,
Editorial Assistant
Energy Global,
The Wongalee wind energy project has secured approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), completing its major government approvals pathway and supporting continued progress towards financial close.
Located on Yirendali Country in the Flinders Shire on pastoral land north-east of Hughenden, about 300 km south-west of Townsville, Wongalee is being developed by Windlab under a joint development agreement with Fortescue as part of the North Queensland Super Hub (the Hub). The project has the capacity to generate up to 1.4 GW of clean wind energy.
The approval follows Wongalee’s State Development Approval and means the project now holds all major government approvals required.
Nathan Blundell, Windlab Chief Development Officer, responded: “We’ve worked closely with local communities, landholders, and Traditional Owners to understand local priorities and develop a project that can coexist with agriculture while delivering long-term benefits for North West Queensland. We’re grateful for the constructive engagement we’ve received throughout that process, particularly from the Yirendali Traditional Owners, local landholders, Flinders Shire Council, and the broader regional community.”
With EPBC approval now secured, Wongalee becomes the second project within the Hub to achieve all major State and Commonwealth approvals, following EPBC approval of Prairie wind energy project in 2025. Together, Prairie and Wongalee are among the most advanced renewable energy developments in North West Queensland and are helping unlock the region’s renewable energy potential.
Windlab has a long-standing presence in the Hughenden region through the development, construction, and operation of Kennedy Energy Park. Wongalee forms part of the North Queensland Super Hub, building on that foundation to unlock the region’s significant renewable energy potential.
Project development has included extensive environmental assessment, including nine seasonal ecological field studies and more than 1050 hours of environmental surveys undertaken since 2021, alongside ongoing engagement with landholders, Traditional Owners, and the broader community.
Ongoing engagement with the Yirendali Traditional Owners has helped shape the project and is supported by a shared benefits agreement and cultural heritage management agreement signed in 2024.
The project’s location provides access to a quality wind resource and is ideally positioned to benefit from CopperString, which will connect North West Queensland to the National Electricity Market. The project has been designed to coexist with the region’s agricultural industry while delivering benefits to local communities and supporting Queensland’s renewable energy future.
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Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/wind/28092026/wongalee-wind-energy-project-receives-epbc-approval/