European Energy and FNBGGGTB Group Sign 30-year Benefit Agreements for Three Queensland Solar Projects

The FNBGGGTB Group, which represents the Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang Bunda peoples, has entered into 30-year Cultural Heritage Management Agreements and Shared Prosperity Agreements with Danish developer European Energy.

Traditional Owners to share benefits across three project lifetimes

The arrangements cover the Bullyard, Upper Calliope and Tyrone solar and battery projects in Queensland and commit the company to financial contributions and cultural heritage protection for the full duration of the projects.

The FNBGGGTB Group are the Traditional Owners and native title holders of the Bundaberg and Gladstone regions. European Energy announced the signings on 21 October 2026 from its Copenhagen headquarters.

What the agreements provide

The Shared Prosperity Agreements commit the developer to long-term funding for social, cultural and environmental initiatives. Decisions on which initiatives receive support rest with the Traditional Owners themselves.

The Cultural Heritage Management Agreements establish processes to identify and protect sites and artefacts of cultural importance during project development. Together, the two agreement types are intended to deliver benefits across generations.

Evolution of the partnership since 2024

The newly signed documents follow an Exclusivity Agreement reached between the parties in 2024, which created a framework for investigating potential development sites. The project-specific agreements now in place go further, setting out arrangements that apply throughout the projects' operating lives. Group Chief Executive Officer Matthew Cooke of the FNBGGGTB Group said the working relationship had matured over several years.

"We've been working with European Energy for three or four years now, and we've seen that relationship go from strength to strength over that time," he said. "The renewables transition offers exciting opportunities for First Nations people and these partnerships allow us to maximise those opportunities."

Award-winning engagement recognised in 2025

The collaboration drew outside recognition in 2025, when the Clean Energy Council presented European Energy and the FNBGGGTB Group with its First Nations Engagement and Participation Award. The agreements now signed follow more than three years of cooperation between the two organisations.

Developer's view on long-term cooperation

Catriona McLeod, Managing Director of European Energy Australia, said building renewable energy projects depends on sustained cooperation with communities and landholders. "These agreements establish a framework for progressing our projects while protecting cultural heritage and ensuring that the Traditional Owners share in the benefits generated over the lifetime of the projects," she said.

"For European Energy, establishing these partnerships is an important part of developing a renewable energy portfolio in Australia. The agreements reflect our long-term approach to project development and our commitment to working closely with Traditional Owners," McLeod added.

Fitting into the company's Australian portfolio

European Energy positions the agreements within its wider approach to developing renewable energy in Australia, pairing solar generation and battery storage with lasting partnerships in the regions hosting its projects.

The company states that the agreements deepen its relationship with Traditional Owners in Queensland and underpin continued growth of its Australian renewable energy portfolio. Ming Ou Lü, PR Manager at European Energy, is the contact for the announcement and can be reached at +45 3126 9376 or miol@europeanenergy.com.