The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) has signed an Engagement Agreement with Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, Star of the South, strengthening their seven-year relationship and ensuring Gunaikurnai people are involved in project discussions from the earliest stages.
The Engagement Agreement gives GLaWAC resourcing support to continue advocating for the rights, interests and aspirations of Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners during the project’s feasibility phase – including cultural protection, jobs and training, sustainable economic opportunities, and genuine community engagement.
Built to its full capacity of 2.2 GW, Star of the South would deliver enough renewable energy to power around 1.2 million Victorian homes, add around $3 billion to the Gippsland economy and create around 200 long-term local jobs across 30 years
of operations.
The project has completed five years of groundwork, drawing on guidance from GLaWAC including for detailed environmental research, cultural heritage surveys and technical studies.
“We’ve been working with Star of the South since the early days of this proposal, and this agreement reflects our ongoing efforts to ensure Gunaikurnai people are actively shaping conversations from the start. Our role is to care for Country, protect cultural heritage, and should the project proceed, create real opportunities for
healing, jobs, and long-term community benefit,” acting chief executive officer GLaWAC, Charee Smith, said.
Together, GLaWAC and Star of the South have mapped potential supply opportunities for Gunaikurnai and Indigenous-owned businesses in the offshore wind sector – and showcased these businesses in an Offshore Wind Supplier Showcase.
“We’re committed to a partnership built on mutual respect, trust and benefit, and will work together with GLaWAC to create the best possible outcomes for Country and the Gunaikurnai community,” CEO Star of the South, Charles Rattray, said.
“GLaWAC has already played an important role in the development of Star of the South by supporting surveys, providing cultural advice and expertise, and delivering training for our team. This importance will only grow as we move towards
more detailed planning.
“We welcome GLaWAC’s leadership and proactive approach to engaging with the offshore wind sector and look forward to building an energy future based around inclusion, partnership and reconciliation.”
If the project moves beyond the feasibility stage, GLaWAC will consult with its members to determine the best way forward – making sure any future development respects Gunaikurnai Country and delivers real benefits for the community.
GLaWAC remains committed to transparent, community-led decision-making. Any future position on the project will be shaped by consultation with Gunaikurnai members and a clear assessment of how proposed development aligns with community priorities and responsibilities to Country.
