Engaging with Indigenous Communities in Australia

RWE’s Approach to Working with Traditional Owners

Our approach
Theodore Wind Farm
Outcomes and learnings

Context

RWE develops renewable energy projects also in regions that are home to Indigenous communities with deep cultural, spiritual and historical connections to land and water. In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples represent some of the world’s oldest continuing cultures, with heritage spanning more than 65,000 years.

Respecting and protecting this cultural heritage are a fundamental part of responsible project development.

Our approach

In Australia, RWE engages with Traditional Owners early and throughout the project lifecycle. This includes:

  • Early engagement with Indigenous communities, before formal regulatory requirements apply.

  • Respect for cultural governance structures and engagement through freely chosen representatives.

  • Culturally appropriate communication, including on-site engagement and accessible information sharing.

  • Support for independent advice, helping to enable informed participation.

This approach is aligned with the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and reflects our commitment to meaningful consultation and participation.

In line with FPIC principles, RWE aims to:

  • Engage early and continuously across development, construction and operations.
  • Provide relevant, accessible and project-specific information.
  • Enable Indigenous communities to actively participate in decision-making processes.
  • Work towards mutually agreed outcomes through structured dialogue.

Example: Theodore Wind Farm (Queensland)

The Theodore Wind Farm is located on the lands of the Wulli Wulli people, who are the Traditional Owners of the area, and are represented by the Wulli Wulli Nation Aboriginal Corporation (WWNAC).

Our engagement is designed to respect of the Traditional Owners’ governance and decision making processes, including meeting cycles, cultural obligations, and internal consultation requirements.

As a practical example of how we carry out meaningful consultation and engagement, RWE has established a structured and collaborative engagement approach with the Wulli Wulli People through WWNAC.

This includes:

RWE Image

The wind farm is scheduled to begin operations in 2027.

RWE Image

Wulli Wulli, the Traditional Owners of the lands where the Theodore Wind Farm is proposed.

  • Development of cultural heritage and engagement processes with WWNAC through the establishment of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan, as an agreed structured outcome from the early engagement with the Wulli Wulli People in the development process, performed respectfully and free from coercion;
  • A Benefit Sharing and Project Services framework that includes:
    • Oppotunities for Wulli Wulli People employment;
    • Procurement opportunities for Wulli Wulli businesses; and
    • Wulli Wulli People capacity-building initiatives.
  • As part of this engagement, RWE has also supported the development of cultural awareness materials together with Wulli Wulli Elders, contributing to the preservation and sharing of cultural knowledge.

Additionally, a Community Benefit Fund of at least AUD 500,000 per year has been established to support the entire community, including the Wulli Wulli People.

Outcomes and learnings

This approach supports:

  • Long-term relationships with Indigenous communities.
  • Transparency and trust through structured agreements.
  • Shared value creation, going beyond regulatory compliance.
  • Integration of cultural perspectives into project development.

Our experience in Australia shows that early, continuous and culturally appropriate engagement is key to delivering projects responsibly and sustainably.

RWE Sustainability

RWE Platz 1 45141 Essen Germany
Send e-mail