Co-lead partner described the transaction as a game changer in Australia
Dentons has counselled the Nari Nari Tribal Council in relation to their equity investment for the proposed Wilan Wind Farm.
The farm is the product of a collaboration between the Nari Nari Tribal Council, Kilara Energy, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. It will be situated within the South-West Renewable Energy Zone in NSW’s Riverina region. Through the project, up to 75 wind turbines capable of generating up to 500 MW (enough to supply energy to a maximum of 470,000 homes) will be installed.
The Nari Nari Tribal Council are the Traditional Custodians of the lands north of the project area, which are known as “Gayini”.
“Nari Nari Tribal Council is committed to ensuring future generations of Nari Nari people can live, work and care for our Country. We need to have a sustainable financial base and the skills to manage our country. Partnering with Kilara and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners provides the opportunity for substantial wealth creation for NNTC”, Nari Nari Tribal Council chair Jamie Woods said. “It will enable knowledge and skills our next generation need to participate in large-scale development projects and build relationships for Nari Nari people into the future”.
Dentons co-lead partner Matthew Geary described the project as a game changer in Australia.
“It is based on active participation by the Traditional Owners in a way that ensures the Nari Nari people retain autonomy, a real level of control over Country, receive valuable training and have an active equity stake in the successful outcome of the project - rather than being a passive landholder receiving only rental income”, he explained.
The firm added that the novel investment model “will enable genuine participation, wealth creation and ownership”.
Geary headed up the Dentons team alongside corporate partner John Mollard, with support from managing associate Kurt Tiam.
Last year, the firm also assisted the Nari Nari Tribal Council with a watershed conservation agreement involving the Gayini wetlands in southwestern NSW.
