We are excited to invite you to an important webinar: First Nations Equity - Agreement Precedent Sharing in the Bulabul Battery project.
At the webinar, learn more about the commercial equity arrangement the Wellington Aboriginal community's investment vehicle Wambal Bila Ltd negotiated with AMPYR Australia for the Bulabul Battery project to be located on Wiradjuri Country in NSW.
Precedent legal documents used in the deal will be revealed for First Nations and developers alike, offering a template for First Nations equity participation in other projects.
This webinar will be useful for First Nations communities and organisations, clean energy developers, the legal fraternity, investors and governments — showing what’s possible when First Nations lead and become genuine partners in Australia's clean energy transition.
WEBINAR DETAILS
- When: Thursday 18 December 2025
- Time: 1.00pm - 1.30pm AEDT (Sydney time)
- Where: Online (Zoom - a link will be sent to you once you register)
RSVP here
SPEAKERS
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Karrina Nolan, co-Chair, First Nations Clean Energy Network (Introduction/Welcome)
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Keiyana Guihot, a Director in Wambal Bila
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Louise Austin, a Director in Wambal Bila
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Gavin Brown, a Director in Wambal Bila and CEO, Yamagigu Consulting
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Will Story, Commercial Director, AMPYR Australia
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Jo En Low, Partner, Ashurst
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Jonathan Kneebone, Policy and Engagement Manager, First Nations Clean Energy Network
BACKGROUND
In August 2025, Wambal Bila secured the landmark agreement for an option to purchase a 5% equity stake in the Bulabul Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. The agreement also includes potential for a similar equity stake in Stage 2 of the battery project.”
The underlying equity stake includes a right to a preferred, fixed annual return and a share of ongoing equity returns, which could deliver $20-$30 million in revenue over the project's 20-year lifespan.
The Bulabul battery project represents Australia's first equity partnership between a developer and a local First Nations community without pre-existing native title rights or land rights, and no pre-existing economic base.
It sets a new precedent of moving beyond compliance for long-term First Nations community ownership and partnership in renewable energy developments across Australia.
AMPYR Australia is providing up to $300,000 to help establish Wambal Bila's initial set-up operations, necessary as most First Nations groups are absent the capital needed to establish necessary investment vehicles for project co-ownership due to years of financial exclusion.
The partners believes their equity model for shared ownership sets a new benchmark for community participation in renewable energy projects.
It also demonstrates the significance of innovative legal structuring to drive positive social and economic outcomes, which can be used by communities and clean energy proponents across the country.
To that end, Wambal Bila and AMPYR Australia are sharing publicly intellectual property from the partnership at the webinar, which will be published on the First Nations Clean Energy Network’s website.
RSVP here