Energy and climate
| Sector | Energy |
| Sub-sector | Renewable Energy |
| Locations | Australia |
The Australian Clean Energy Council identifies social licence as one of the most important issues facing the renewables sector, with community opposition and poorly managed engagement leading causes of project delays and uncertainty.1 The cost is material, with analysis from the Australian Energy Market Operator finding that delays and additional costs associated with low social licence results in up to $A4 billion in reduced net market benefits.2
Recognising this, Aula Energy (Aula) has developed a proactive community engagement framework as a core driver of project delivery and long-term value creation.
Through board representation and active ownership, MAM collaborated with Aula's management to embed social licence and community alignment into the core of its governance and strategy - driven by a structured community engagement framework built on early, intentional and tailored engagement with local communities and Traditional Owners.
At Aula's 228 MW Boulder Creek Wind Farm (BCWF) in Queensland and 256 MW Carmody's Hill Wind Farm (CHWF) in South Australia, both currently under construction, Community Liaison Groups have been established to empower local stakeholders, ensure local voices shape project outcomes and directly influence the allocation of community-led benefit funds.
At CHWF, consistent stakeholder management over a five-year period was instrumental in securing community confidence ahead of Final Investment Decision in December 2025.
At BCWF, Cultural Heritage Investigation Management Agreements are in place with the Traditional Owners of the land, ensuring a collaborative approach to protecting and managing cultural heritage throughout construction and into operations.
Outcome
This approach has strengthened community relationships, enabled early resolution of issues, and helped build the social licence necessary for successful project delivery.
During their construction phases, BCWF and CHWF are expected to generate up to 250 and 75 local jobs respectively. Community Benefit Funds totalling $A16 million have also been established across both projects, with 48 grants supported to date by the Community Liaison Groups who oversee the allocation of funds to ensure they are used in ways that provide the most value to local residents.
At BCWF, Darumbal People and Gangulu People, part of the Gaangalu Nation Peoples, have been engaged as Cultural Heritage Monitors and Rangers. Part of their work has involved identifying culturally and environmentally significant plants, including Gumbi Gumbi and Bottle trees, with some translocated to a native garden established by the Darumbal Peoples and other areas of the project site to ensure their continued connection to Country. As well as the Gumbi Gumbi and Bottle trees, a cycad translocation management plan is in place which has involved the collection of 804 cycad seeds, the establishment of a nursery to grow cycad plants from seeds, and the translocation of 2,828 cycad plants across the project site. The plants are marked and GPS recorded to enable ongoing monitoring throughout the project lifecycle.
in Community Benefit Funds established across BCWF and CHWF3
are expected to be generated during construction phase at BCWF and CHWF4
cycad plants translocated and 804 cycad seeds collected across the BCWF project
of new renewable energy capacity across Boulder Creek and Carmody's Hill Wind Farms
We’re here to make a difference, working alongside communities and Traditional Owners to create shared value. Our approach goes beyond delivering energy, it’s about creating opportunities, building legacy and delivering meaningful impact through genuine collaboration.”
Chad Hymas
CEO, Aula Energy
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