Full Name
Nathan Blundell
Job title
Chief Development Officer
Organisation
Windlab
Speaker biography
Nathan Blundell is Chief Development Officer at Windlab and a senior energy executive with more than 20 years of global experience. He leads a 20GW pipeline of clean energy projects and has advanced major renewable developments across Australia. He began his career in oil and gas with global majors, bringing a full energy lifecycle perspective to the transition. His work focuses on delivering reliable, low-cost energy that supports existing energy-intensive industries and enables future supply chains. Nathan is Deputy Chair of the Queensland Renewable Energy Council and a strong advocate for planning reform, and champions a community-led approach, working with stakeholders to understand local, cultural and environmental context from the outset.
Speaking At
Presentation title
Powering progress with people and place – Bungaban in focus
Presentation summary
Windlab’s Bungaban Wind and Solar projects are raising the bar for community-led renewable energy development in Queensland. This presentation will explore how Windlab’s early, transparent and inclusive approach helped secure development approval for Bungaban Wind—making it the first project to progress following Queensland’s DA policy pause—and how these lessons are being applied to the co-located Bungaban Solar project.
With over 1,000 stakeholder interactions, more than 60 briefings with councils – to date – and a million annual community benefit framework created with locals in mind, Bungaban demonstrates how trust, transparency and long-term relationships with local government and communities can de-risk project delivery and deliver shared value. Windlab’s approach is not a checkbox—it’s a continuous conversation. We go early, go often, and stay involved for the long haul.
The presentation will also highlight Windlab’s work with the Iman and Auburn Hawkwood peoples, including early works, cultural heritage management, and voluntary benefit-sharing aligned with national best practice. These commitments are embedded in Social Impact Assessments and Community Benefit Agreements from the outset.
As Windlab returns to solar development for the first time since Kennedy Energy Park—the world’s first hybrid wind, solar and battery facility—this session will explore how integrated planning and co-designed engagement strategies are shaping Bungaban Solar from the ground up.
With over 1,000 stakeholder interactions, more than 60 briefings with councils – to date – and a million annual community benefit framework created with locals in mind, Bungaban demonstrates how trust, transparency and long-term relationships with local government and communities can de-risk project delivery and deliver shared value. Windlab’s approach is not a checkbox—it’s a continuous conversation. We go early, go often, and stay involved for the long haul.
The presentation will also highlight Windlab’s work with the Iman and Auburn Hawkwood peoples, including early works, cultural heritage management, and voluntary benefit-sharing aligned with national best practice. These commitments are embedded in Social Impact Assessments and Community Benefit Agreements from the outset.
As Windlab returns to solar development for the first time since Kennedy Energy Park—the world’s first hybrid wind, solar and battery facility—this session will explore how integrated planning and co-designed engagement strategies are shaping Bungaban Solar from the ground up.
