The Gawara Baya Wind Farm Connection Project will connect Windlab’s Gawara Baya Wind Farm to Powerlink’s transmission network via our Guybal Munjan Switching Station in Mount Fox.
The project will include:
The works will remain largely within the existing switching station land owned by Powerlink plus a small section of the adjoining Knuckledown Road reserve.
Windlab will deliver the transmission line project to connect the Gawara Bay Wind Farm to Powerlink’s Guybal Munjan Switching Station. For more information on the wind farm project, please visit gawarabaya.com.
Powerlink owns, develops, operates and maintains the high voltage electricity transmission network in Queensland. We also provide electricity transmission services, including connecting large electricity generators (such as wind and solar farms), to the transmission network.
Windlab has engaged Powerlink to facilitate the connection of their proposed Gawara Baya Wind Farm and associated transmission line infrastructure to the electricity network via the Guybal Munjan Switching Station.
Powerlink takes our environmental responsibilities seriously and we are committed to comprehensively managing any potential environmental impacts resulting from our proposed activities for this project.
Commonwealth environmental approvals
In July 2025, Powerlink referred the project to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The EPBC Act is Australia’s national environmental law. It protects and manages Australia’s ‘nationally significant’ animals, plants, habitats and places.
We submitted this referral because environmental studies found there will be some activities in the project area that may impact protected species and habitat listed under the EPBC Act.
Following a 10-business day public consultation period in August 2025 and DCCEEW’s review of Powerlink’s referral (2025/10246), the project was deemed not a ‘Controlled Action’.
More information, including a copy of the referral decision, is available on the department's website. Search for ‘2025/10246’ under ‘EPBC number’.
State environment and planning approvals
Powerlink is also seeking planning approval from the Queensland Government, under the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process. As there is currently an approved MID in place for the Guybal Munjan Substation as part of the Genex Kidston Connection Project, Powerlink is proposing a minor amendment to the existing MID to facilitate project delivery.
An endorsement request for a minor amendment to the existing MID was issued to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP) in early July 2025 and, if endorsed, Powerlink will lodge a MID minor amendment proposal which will include a future public consultation period. This process is managed by DSDIP with input from other government agencies.
Powerlink will continue to keep landholders, Traditional Owner groups, the community and other key stakeholders up to date as the project progresses. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or phone 07 4034 7600.
Landholders with an existing easement on their property are also welcome to contact our Landholder Relations Advisor, Roisin McDonald, on 0429 562 360 or email [email protected].
Northern
Substation
In Progress
