MUCH-loved and sensitive coastal areas around Wilsons Promontory and all areas west of the Prom, including Waratah Bay, Walkerville with its ‘Magic Beach, Inverloch and the stunning vistas of Kilcunda and Cape Woolamai have all been saved from offshore turbines.
At least for now.
And it seems the Federal Government was listening after all, if not to the people of South Gippsland and Bass Coast who made submissions, then at least to Greens’ Senator Sarah Hanson-Young who put her stake in the ground, for the protection of Wilsons Promontory, during an address in the Senate on Wednesday, November 23 this year.
During a key announcement by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, at Seaspray on Monday, December 19, to formally declare a section of coastal waters, between Port Albert and Lakes Entrance, Australia’s first offshore wind zone, he said the Prom and areas west would not be included.
It has also been reported that the turbines will not be allowed to be located within 10km of the coast.
Minister Bowen said the changes were made because of concerns brought up during the consultation phase.
“The area west of Wilsons Promontory did not receive the same level of community support as the proposal east and also there's environmental concerns with the famous Orange bellied parrot which need to be worked through,” Minister Bowen said.
Bob Boelen, a Waratah Bay resident and co-founder of the South Gippsland-based Responsible Renewables group welcomed the pull back. He had been working to have turbines placed between 30km and 50km from the coast but he acknowledged the announcement on Monday was one the group could live with.
“The new part is still far away enough from the Prom and it doesn't include Corner Inlet, Snake Island or any of the other sensitive areas. It's still far enough away to be virtually non-intrusive as far as the Prom is concerned.
South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Nathan Hersey acknowledged Monday’s announcement, saying he was pleased to note that some of the community’s concerns have been addressed.
He said Council made a submission to the Federal Government in October, outlining numerous concerns about coastal and environmental impact, visual amenity, proximity to Wilsons Promontory and our coastal communities and the need for housing supply to accommodate workers and growth associated with any future project.
“Although it is positive to see that the approved offshore wind zone is further from our coastal communities and Wilsons Promontory than originally indicated, a greater level of clear information and engagement with our Council and community is required,” Cr Hersey said.
“The extent of the so called ‘extensive’ engagement with our South Gippsland community comprised of online engagement and one in-person information session, not held in any of our coastal communities,” he said.
“We look forward to meaningful conversations and engagement following Monday’s announcement.
“Wilsons Promontory, or The Prom as it is known to all Victorians, is a national treasure that attracts over 500,000 visitors each year. It offers a pristine, untouched environment and boasts one of the richest marine ecosystems off the coast of Australia – rivalling that of the Great Barrier Reef.
“Our community wasn’t at all pleased to see this part of the coastline originally in scope of the proposed development areas. The change is welcome however it remains a concern as Minister Bowen has clearly not ruled out a return of the originally proposed area to the offshore wind zone in the future.
“We still need to know more about the declared zones including the proposed flyway passage to ensure that there will be no adverse impacts on this precious and sensitive marine environment.
“We also need to know how the other concerns that were outlined in our submission will be addressed.
“We would like, for example, assurances that proposed ‘on land’ transmission routes will be placed underground and we seek clarification on the impacts for our local communities, especially as housing and infrastructure along our coastline is already limited or at capacity.”
he Albanese and Andrews Governments today joined Wellington Shire Council, local community members and industry to formally declare the Bass Strait off Gippsland as Australia’s first offshore wind zone.
Minister Bowen’s announcement
The Albanese Government has also awarded Major Project Status to the Star of the South Offshore Windfarm Project off the Gippsland coast.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen said Gippsland’s declaration was a crucial step towards affordable, reliable and secure energy and new economic opportunities for Australia.
Estimates show offshore wind projects off Gippsland could support more than 3,000 jobs over the next 15 years during their development and construction phases, and an additional 3,000 ongoing operational jobs.
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said the start of a domestic offshore wind industry creates tremendous opportunity for local industry and job creation.
The windy Bass Strait off Gippsland, and the strong grid across Gippsland and the La Trobe Valley, mean this area has the potential to support more than 10GW of year-round wind energy generation.
The declared area in Gippsland, Victoria, covers about 15,000 square kilometres offshore, and runs from Lakes Entrance in the east to south of Wilsons Promontory in the west. This area was developed after a significant consultation process beginning in August of this year, taking into account views expressed by community stakeholders, industry and experts.
The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments are committed to working together over the coming year to consider the Gippsland coast west of Wilsons Prom, including further consultation with Traditional Owners and taking into account community feedback and information on environmental risks of developing offshore electricity infrastructure in the area.
First in industry projects often pose complex regulatory considerations, and the Government awarding Major Project Status to the Star of the South means it can receive tailored regulatory facilitation services – to ensure they meet their obligations without unnecessary regulatory delays.
Minister Bowen said, “Australia’s new offshore wind industry will start in Gippsland. It will support new jobs and economic development in the regions that have always powered Australia, and will power Australia into the future.”
"Australia has huge potential in offshore wind and today the Albanese government is giving this industry a green light. This formal declaration and the Major Project Status for Star of the South will help us catch up,” Mr Bowen said.
Minister Husic said, “The Star of the South project alone will support more than 2280 jobs during construction and a further 300 direct jobs during operations.
“We want to see more large-scale projects built in coming years. This will help integrate Australian manufacturing with renewable energy infrastructure, delivering more jobs in Australian companies.
“And that’s precisely why the National Reconstruction Fund is so important. We are putting $3 billion aside to make sustainable investments in renewables to help create those long-term, well-paid jobs.”
The announcement supports the Andrews Labor Government’s nation first Offshore Wind Targets – Victoria is aiming to hit 2 GW of offshore generation by 2032, 4 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040.
Victoria has some of the world’s best offshore wind resources, with coast lines having full potential to support 13 GW of capacity by 2050.
“Our nation's first offshore wind targets set Victoria’s ambition to harness the world class offshore wind resources off our coast lines – today is another milestone towards powering millions of homes and businesses with that clean energy,” said Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources and Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio.
“Offshore wind is key to achieving our target of 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035 in Victoria, slashing emissions and energy bills as we lead the nation in our clean energy transition,” Minister D’Ambrosio said.
Feasibility licence applications for offshore wind projects in the Gippsland area will open soon. The Offshore Infrastructure Registrar will lead assessment of all applications against criteria set out in the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Regulations 2022, and make recommendations to the Minister.
Other regions being considered for future offshore wind energy projects are the Pacific Ocean regions off the Hunter and Illawarra in NSW, the Southern Ocean region off Portland in Victoria, the Bass Straight region off Northern Tasmania, and the Indian Ocean region off Perth/Bunbury in WA.
More information regarding public consultation on these regions will be announced in due course.
