Full Name
Nathan Blundell
Job title
Chief Development Officer
Organisation
Windlab
Speaker bio
Nathan is a senior energy executive with over 20 years’ global experience. At Windlab, he leads a 20GW pipeline of transformative clean energy projects. He has progressed major initiatives in Queensland, including Bungaban Wind, supported by an industry-leading Community Benefit Framework informed by local input. A complementary Bungaban Solar project is the next phase in Windlab’s regional plans.
Nathan advocates for planning reform that delivers better outcomes for communities and the environment. He champions Windlab’s community-led approach—partnering with local stakeholders to understand the human, environmental and cultural context of each project from the outset.
Nathan advocates for planning reform that delivers better outcomes for communities and the environment. He champions Windlab’s community-led approach—partnering with local stakeholders to understand the human, environmental and cultural context of each project 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.
