Connecting Industry

03/09/2026

WHO’S IN THE ROOM? | ROBIN ANDREWS | QUBE BULK

One of the real strengths of Connecting Industry Events is the range of businesses and industry experience represented in the room.

Joining us is Robin Andrews from Qube Bulk, based in Gladstone and part of an organisation operating right across Australia’s resources, transport and logistics sectors.

Qube Bulk provides mine-to-market and mine resupply solutions spanning road and rail transport, storage, stockpile management, port operations and bulk ship loading, supporting some of Australia’s largest industrial and resources supply chains.

It’s businesses and people like Robin that make these events valuable. You’re not simply hearing from the presenters. You’re in a room with people working across major industry, projects, logistics, engineering, services and the wider supply chain.

That’s who’s in the room at Connecting Industry Events.

02/09/2026

Squadron Energy is coming to Gladstone, and this is an opportunity for Queensland’s contractors, suppliers and service providers to hear directly about the projects ahead and how industry can position to participate.

Join us on Wednesday, 7 October for the next Connecting Industry Luncheon with Squadron Energy, with the focus firmly on projects, procurement, contracting and opportunities for the supply chain. Register now: https://www.connectingindustry.com.au/connecting-industry-luncheon/

Squadron Energy has a significant renewable energy portfolio and development pipeline, with major projects progressing across Queensland. This includes Clarke Creek Wind Farm Stage 2 in Central Queensland, alongside the proposed 1.4GW Bungaban Wind Farm near Wandoan and Taroom.

With projects of this scale comes significant demand across the supply chain, from civil construction, electrical and engineering services through to transport and logistics, equipment hire, workforce services, accommodation, manufacturing, maintenance and a wide range of supporting businesses.

We’re pleased to welcome Andy Devene from Squadron Energy as a speaker at the luncheon. In his role at Squadron Energy, Andy leads commercial and contracting activities for utility-scale renewable energy developments, including one of Australia’s largest renewable energy projects.

On 7 October, Andy will share insights into Squadron Energy’s Queensland projects, including Clarke Creek Wind Farm Stage 2, its procurement and contracting approach and the opportunities ahead for Queensland businesses and the broader supply chain.

Thanks to our Sponsors & Partners: Industry Capability Network, Jobs in Central Queensland, Vertical Horizonz Australia, Cater Care Careers, SCA , Corporate Protection Australia, Homeground Villages Gladstone, Central Apartment Group, and Gladstone Regional Council.

01/09/2026

It’s great to see the Queensland Government’s Social Licence Toolkit for Local Government now available, and particularly rewarding for Connecting Industry to have played a significant role in its development.

Our involvement included extensive engagement with councils across Queensland, as well as discussions with industry associations and renewable energy proponents, gathering the experiences, challenges and lessons that ultimately helped shape the toolkit. We also contributed significantly to the writing and editing of the final resource.

For us, one of the most important parts of the project was ensuring the toolkit reflected what is actually happening on the ground in regional communities experiencing rapid renewable energy and major project development.

It covers some of the issues we regularly hear discussed across industry and regional Queensland: engaging communities early, understanding cumulative impacts, improving relationships between councils and proponents, assessing social impacts and ensuring community benefits and legacy outcomes genuinely reflect local priorities.

There are practical templates, checklists, questions and guidance throughout that councils can pick up and use, but there is also plenty in the toolkit for project proponents, engagement professionals and others working across renewable energy, infrastructure and regional development.

Social licence isn’t something achieved through an approval or a single round of community consultation. It develops over time through trust, relationships, transparency and, importantly, how organisations respond to what communities tell them.

We’re proud to have contributed to a resource designed to help make those conversations, relationships and ultimately project outcomes better across Queensland

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Explore Queensland’s new Social Licence Toolkit, with practical tools for renewable energy engagement, social impact assessments and community benefits.

01/09/2026

You can explore for uranium in Queensland. You just can’t mine it.
That alone creates an interesting question for Queensland’s resources industry.

Companies continue to hold and explore uranium projects across the state. Australia remains a significant uranium producer and exporter. International demand continues to influence investment. Yet Queensland maintains its prohibition on uranium mining.

So where does that leave the projects, the investment already being made and the businesses that could one day form part of the industry supporting them?

That’s part of the conversation we’re bringing to Gladstone at the

Connecting Uranium Forum Queensland on 25 November. To learn more, connect here: https://www.connectingindustry.com.au/connecting-uranium-forum-queensland/

We’ll hear from the explorers themselves about what they’re seeing on the ground, from the investment sector about the global uranium market and from industry and political representatives about the environment surrounding future development.

And importantly for our resources, construction, engineering and broader supply chain, this isn't about suggesting major packages of work are around the corner.

It's about understanding an industry before they are.

Joining us in Gladstone will be Guy Keller, Tribeca Investment Partners; Pete Moorhouse, Basin Energy (ASX:BSN); Alex Cheeseman, Greenvale Energy Ltd; Nicholas Huffels, Mount Isa Minerals Limited; Lloyd Jones, Laramide Resources Ltd; Rob Katter, MP; and Warren Pearce, CEO of AMEC (Association of Mining and Exploration Companies).

Knowing who is exploring. Understanding the projects. Hearing what influences investment. Building relationships with the people involved. And understanding what would actually need to happen for Queensland's uranium resources to move from exploration towards development.

Sometimes the most valuable time to understand an opportunity is before it becomes one.

31/08/2026

How much of what you know about your industry came from a media release and how much came from a conversation?

A project you heard about. An introduction you weren’t expecting. A conversation that led somewhere. Someone who knew someone you needed to meet.

That’s how industry works.

And that’s what Get Connected is about. Keeping you closer to the people, projects and conversations happening across Queensland industry.

Have you joined Get Connected?

To find out more: https://www.connectingindustry.com.au/get-connected/

31/08/2026

With Gawara Baya reaching financial close, the project now moves into construction and the supply chain opportunities will be worth watching closely. With more than $200 million expected to flow into the regional Queensland economy through local employment, procurement and supply chain participation, the key for businesses will be understanding when construction packages come to market, what capability is required and where local contractors and suppliers can position themselves to participate...............................................
A huge Queensland wind and battery project has been bought up by Danish renewables giant Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, achieving the rare feat of financial close for both a Capacity Investment Scheme winner and for a hybrid renewables project under the state LNP’s strict new planning regime.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) on Monday announced the acquisition of Gawara Baya, a wind and battery project formerly known as the Upper Burdekin wind farm that was originally developed by renewables outfit Windlab on on Gugu Badhun Country south-west of Ingham.

Located around 65 km south-west of Ingham, Gawara Baya will combine 408 megawatts (MW) of wind with a 104 megawatt “grid-forming” battery energy storage system (BESS) with about two hours of storage (217 megawatt-hours), according to EPBC documents.

CIP said Gawara Baya was expected to inject more than $200 million into the regional Queensland economy through local employment, procurement, and supply chain participation, creating up to 500 direct and indirect jobs.

Courtesy of Renew Economy.

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A huge Queensland wind and battery project has achieved the rare feat of financial close for both a CIS winner and for a hybrid renewables project under the state LNP's strict new planning regime.

30/08/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Andy Devene from Squadron Energy as a speaker at our Connecting Industry Luncheon on Wednesday, 7 October.

Andy is a senior energy and infrastructure professional with more than 20 years’ experience across power generation, renewable energy, major project delivery and Defence. His career has included leadership roles spanning gas-fired generation, wind, solar, battery storage and hybrid power systems.

In his role at Squadron Energy, Andy leads commercial and contracting activities for utility-scale renewable energy developments, including one of Australia’s largest renewable energy projects.

At the luncheon, Andy will provide valuable insight into Squadron Energy’s Queensland projects, procurement and contracting strategies and the opportunities ahead for local industry and the broader supply chain.

We look forward to welcoming Andy to Gladstone and hearing directly from Squadron Energy about what’s ahead.

To learn more and to register, connect here: https://www.connectingindustry.com.au/connecting-industry-luncheon/

Thanks to our Partners: Industry Capability Network, Jobs in Central Queensland, Vertical Horizonz Australia, Cater Care Careers, Triple M Central Queensland and Hit CQ, Corporate Protection Australia, Homeground Villages Gladstone, Central Apartment Group, and Gladstone Regional Council.

27/08/2026

With construction expected to commence in 2027, Corvus is already taking early packages to market, including underground conveyors, with longwall equipment to follow. For a $1.24 billion greenfield mine requiring everything from underground infrastructure and coal handling through to power, water, roads and rail load-out, there will be a much broader procurement story to unfold as the project moves through approvals and towards construction...............................................
Works packages are starting to roll out for the $1.24 billion Corvus metallurgical coal project, 17km north of Emerald.

Australian-owned private company Corvus Resources is advancing the greenfield development, which was declared a coordinated project in April.

A company spokeswoman said development activities were continuing to plan, with early contract works now out to tender and approvals progressing.

Construction is expected to require up to 284 personnel. Once in operation, the mine is expected to employ about 500 people.

Courtesy of Industry Queensland.

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Works packages are starting to roll out for the $1.24 billion Corvus metallurgical coal project, 17km north of Emerald. Australian-owned private company Corvus Resources is advancing the greenfield development, which was declared a coordinated project in April. A company spokeswoman said development...

26/08/2026

Where is the next opportunity coming from?

For businesses working across Queensland’s resources, energy, construction and supply chain, knowing what projects are coming is important. Getting in front of the right people early is where the opportunity starts.

Over the next few months, we have two very different Connecting Industry events in Gladstone, both designed to give industry direct access to the people, projects and information that could shape future work.

Connecting Industry Luncheon with Squadron Energy | Wednesday, 7 October

Squadron Energy is one of Australia’s leading renewable energy companies, with a significant pipeline of projects across Queensland, including Stage 2 of the Clarke Creek Wind Farm and the Bungaban Wind Energy Project.

Mark Hunt, General Manager, Contracts & Controls, will provide insight into Squadron Energy, its Queensland projects and importantly for the supply chain, procurement, supplier readiness and local participation.

It’s also an opportunity to meet the people behind the projects and build relationships with businesses from across the wider industry and supply chain.

To learn more and purchase tickets, connect here: https://www.connectingindustry.com.au/connecting-industry-luncheon/

Connecting Uranium Forum Queensland | Wednesday, 25 November

Queensland holds significant uranium resources, but the Queensland Government's moratorium on uranium mining remains in place. At the same time, global demand for uranium is growing and interest in the State's uranium resources continues.

That makes understanding the sector, the companies involved and the potential opportunities particularly relevant.

The Connecting Uranium Forum Queensland will bring uranium explorers, industry leaders, market and investment expertise, government and the supply chain together in Gladstone to discuss Queensland's uranium potential, the current policy environment and what could lie ahead.

For businesses, it’s an opportunity to hear directly from those involved, understand the projects and start building relationships now, rather than waiting to see what happens next.

To learn more and purchase tickets, connect here: https://www.connectingindustry.com.au/connecting-uranium-forum-queensland/

Ultimately, you don't get work simply by knowing a project exists.

You put yourself in a better position by understanding it, meeting the people involved and building the relationship before the opportunity arrives.

We look forward to seeing you there.

24/08/2026

A significant proposal for the Western Downs and another example of the scale of investment being considered across regional Queensland. At $31.9 billion, the potential opportunities for local industry and the broader supply chain will certainly be one to watch, although there is a long way to go, particularly given growing concerns across the country around energy consumption and water security as data centre development and construction continues to surge........................................
A $31.9 billion data centre project has been proposed for the Western Downs.

The Western Downs Digital Park, set to be the largest facility of its kind in Australia, has been earmarked for a 725.5-hectare plot near Dalby, roughly 250 kilometres north-west of Brisbane.

The company behind the project is Singapore-based developer Zerra DC, which operates hyper-scale data centres across the Asia Pacific.

The federal government is currently refining proposed new national rules for how data centres consume energy, including a requirement for them to purchase power from renewable energy sources.

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A $31.9 billion hyper-scale data centre proposed for regional Queensland promises huge economic scale, while raising questions about energy demands and water security.