Rainforest Reserves Australia

MEDIA RELEASE – 1st March 2026

Rainforest Reserves Australia (RRA) faces a legal‑cost claim after losing a Federal Court challenge to the Gawara Baya Wind Farm and the proponents, The Upper Burdekin Wind Farm Pty Ltd, majority owned (75 %) by Andrew Forrest’s group Tattarang.

RRA is a small, volunteer-run environmental charity facing a significant imbalance of resources following its Federal Court challenge to the Gawara Baya Wind Farm (formerly the Upper Burdekin Wind Farm). After the challenge was dismissed, Rainforest Reserves Australia (RRA) is now facing disproportionate legal costs. This places significant strain on the organisation’s ability to continue its work.

Where this proposed project is sited is of World Heritage value and connects with the adjacent Wet Tropics World Heritage area in North Queensland.  The Upper Burdekin site is Australia’s most biodiverse high-altitude mountain range and is home to more than 20 vulnerable and endangered species. 

“RRA, a Queensland-based grassroots charity, voiced their opposition to the Federal Government’s decision to approve the Gawara Baya Wind Farm and took action to advocate for the protection of the environment. “

 “The Federal Government’s rapid renewable energy rollout, combined with the significant resources of large developers, can place considerable pressure on environmental advocates. ‘It’s not just about industrial wind turbines,’ Nowakowski continued. ‘The reality is that defending biodiversity, raising concerns about species, or asking legitimate questions can involve substantial financial and legal risk.”

“‘The work continues,’ Nowakowski said. ‘Our focus remains on protecting threatened forests, highlighting development impacts, and ensuring that ordinary Australians and regional communities can have their voices heard. We will fight against any type of industrial development that impacts biodiversity.”

When appeal rights are limited and charities face significant financial risks through cost orders, the ability of Australia’s grassroots conservation advocates to participate is reduced. This raises questions about the Federal Government’s proposed amendments to the EPBC Act, and whether the current approach to fast-tracking renewable energy projects adequately safeguards biodiversity and threatened species.”  

Additional notes:

“The Gawara Baya / Upper Burdekin wind project has been approved, despite significant concerns raised about its environmental sustainability and impacts. While approval has been granted under the EPBC Act, that legislation provides mechanisms for approvals to be varied, suspended, or revoked in certain circumstances. The Queensland Government also retains powers to intervene under its own legislation. Notably, the proposal attracted well over 350 public submissions calling for the project to be halted.”

“We are concerned about the interactions between the proponent and the Federal Government in the lead-up to this approval.” 

We are now seeking legal advice regarding Rainforest Reserves Australia’s situation, and we look forward to keeping our supporters and followers up to date.

If RRA were forced to wind down, we would continue doing what we have always done: revegetate forests, operate the Cassowary Rehabilitation Centre and campaign to keep our remaining forests wild.

A short documentary (20 minutes) illustrates why this North Queensland habitat matters:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5--NQN-4OY&t=20s