The Wongalee wind energy project has received 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.

The approval follows the project's State Development Approval, meaning Wongalee now holds all major government approvals required. The announcement was made on 25 September 2026 by developer Windlab.

A 1.4GW project on Yirendali Country

Wongalee is located on Yirendali Country in the Flinders Shire, on pastoral land north-east of Hughenden, about 300 kilometres south-west of Townsville. The project has the capacity to generate up to 1.4GW of clean wind energy. It is being developed by Windlab under a Joint Development Agreement with Fortescue as part of the North Queensland Super Hub.

Windlab Chief Development Officer Nathan Blundell said the project has been shaped through years of environmental assessment, technical studies and engagement with stakeholders across the region.

"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," said Mr Blundell.

"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."

Second project in the Hub to reach full approvals

With EPBC approval now secured, Wongalee becomes the second project within the North Queensland Super Hub to achieve all major State and Commonwealth approvals, following the EPBC approval of the 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.

Extensive environmental assessment since 2021

Project development has included extensive environmental assessment, comprising nine seasonal ecological field studies and more than 1,050 hours of environmental surveys undertaken since 2021. This work has been carried out alongside ongoing engagement with landholders, Traditional Owners and the broader community.

Engagement with the Yirendali Traditional Owners has helped shape the project and is supported by a Shared Benefits Agreement and a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement, both signed in 2024.

Wind resource, agriculture and CopperString

The project's location provides access to a quality wind resource and is positioned to benefit from CopperString, the transmission project which will connect North West Queensland to the National Electricity Market.

Wongalee has been designed to coexist with the region's agricultural industry while delivering benefits to local communities and supporting Queensland's renewable energy future.

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 renewable energy potential. Further information about the project, including approval documentation, is available at www.northqueenslandsuperhub.com.

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