Gumbi gumbi plants find new home in Darumbal garden
through Boulder Creek Wind Farm partnership
27 January 2026
Cultural heritage and new development have worked hand in hand to translocate culturally significant tree and plant species that were located on the Boulder Creek Wind Farm (BCWF) project site.
A new native garden has been planted at the Darumbal office in Gracemere, which includes five gumbi gumbi trees and other species such as the Brachychiton (Queensland bottle tree) and orchids.
“This important work has given these culturally and environmentally significant plants the opportunity to continue thriving on Darumbal Country,” said Roeina Edmund, Senior Ranger at Darumbal Land and Sea Rangers, who work to preserve and protect Darumbal traditional country around Rockhampton and Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast.
“The gumbi gumbi in particular holds strong cultural significance for the Darumbal People. It has long been recognised as a valuable source of bush medicine and is traditionally known for its healing properties, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial uses,” Ms Edmund said.
“These trees will become part of our native garden, where they will play an important role in cultural education, sharing knowledge with community and visitors, and supporting future native seed collection to care for Country into the next generations.
“We are grateful for the respectful approach shown by CS Energy and Aula Energy’s Boulder Creek Wind Farm project, and for the opportunity to work together to look after Country. It is encouraging to see genuine collaboration that acknowledges and respects Darumbal culture, knowledge, and connection to land.”
Fiona McKeague, Cultural Heritage Advisor to the Boulder Creek Wind Farm project, said that working alongside the Darumbal People helped guide them through the relocation process.
“Darumbal Cultural Heritage Monitors and Rangers identified the plants and explained their cultural significance,” Ms McKeague said.
“When we understood the cultural significance of the trees, we wanted to give them the best chance to survive.
“This effort was about respect and collaboration. Seeing the gumbi gumbi trees in their new garden shows what can be achieved when we listen and work together with respect.”
The translocation was a joint effort between Boulder Creek Wind Farm, Darumbal Cultural Heritage Monitors, and Darumbal Land and Sea Rangers, with specialist contractors Australian Natives handling the delicate work of digging up and moving plants.
Rangers who have been training in plant identification are now responsible for caring for the plants in the new garden, and a plaque is being prepared to mark the garden’s connection to Boulder Creek Wind Farm, ensuring the story of the trees is remembered.
The project reflects a broader commitment: Boulder Creek Wind Farm has agreements with both the Darumbal People and the Gaangalu Nation People. The project worked with Gangulu people, part of the Gaangalu Nation People, to relocate gumbi gumbi trees found by Gangulu monitors to a safe area within the project footprint, ensuring the trees remain connected to Gangulu country.
