THIS morning at Seaspray beach, east of Woodside, the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, joined the State Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D'Ambrosio, the Wellington Shire Council, local community members and industry to formally declare Gippsland as Australia’s first offshore wind zone.
The Albanese Government also awarded Major Project Status to the Star of the South Offshore Windfarm Project, to be located as close as 5km off the coast between Port Albert and Woodside.
Minister 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 3000 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,” according to a statement by Minister Bowen.
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.”
He said 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 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.
Responsible Renewables group formed
Meanwhile, a watchdog group has been formed in South Gippsland to take a direct interest in what happens with offshore wind energy developments here.
Pushing for all turbines to be located at least 30-50 kilometres from the coast, especially in the area around Wilsons Promontory, and all areas to the west, they are concerned at the harm these projects could do if located too close to the coast.
In a public statement this week, the group said Wilsons Promontory is the first iconic site at risk of irrecoverable harm, while urging responsible planning of renewables
A newly-formed community organisation in Gippsland is leading a national discussion on responsible planning of renewable energy infrastructure, with particular focus on offshore wind energy investments.
Responsible Renewables, co-founded by Waratah Bay resident and engineer Robert Boelen, has attracted hundreds of community members concerned about the Federal Government’s plans to erect 260-metre or higher turbines in Bass Strait, including next to Wilsons Promontory National Park and Phillip Island.
The group noted that in recent months, Australian Commonwealth coastline waters of Bass Strait off Gippsland have been identified for substantial wind energy infrastructure investment, with myriad zones proposed to house hundreds of turbines only 5.5 kilometres offshore.
This month, feasibility licenses are expected to be granted to overseas investment consortiums by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
Mr Boelen said the rush to invest in offshore wind energy was clouding good judgement and ignoring environmental threats.
“Experts are telling us that the fields of towering turbines could disturb migratory birdlife, calving and breeding for Southern Right Whales, and colonies of fur seals, little penguins and other important fish species,” Mr Boelen said.
“With the significant environmental impact juxtaposed with the disruption of vista and amenity, it beggars belief that the Government has missed this in its hasty planning.
“We are supporters of Australia’s target of net zero emissions by 2050 and pro renewables but the pursuit of a clean environment cannot be at the cost of the environment itself – these plans are akin to erecting turbines next to the 12 Apostles, Uluru or the Great Barrier Reef.
“Our proposal is to move all turbines at least 30-50 kilometres offshore on the western side of Wilsons Promontory – it’s a common sense solution.”
The Federal Government’s Department of Industry Science and Resources entered a period of consultation on the plans from 5 August to 7 October 202, a brief process of which few local residents, business owners and visitors were aware of, or took part in.
Concerned about the “quasi consultation” to date, Responsible Renewables has written to Mr Bowen and travelled to Canberra to meet with Senators from all political parties, requesting for more common sense in the planning.
“Had a genuine consultation process been undertaken, all options would have been considered by Government, including the many voices in local and scientific communities on acceptable and safe outcomes,” said Laura Jennings from Responsible Renewables.
“It’s critical that, moving forward, the planning process allows for our nation to embrace renewable energy and protect our natural environment.
“We warmly invite Mr Bowen to travel down to Wilsons Prom this summer so he can see the beauty of this region and fully appreciate the impact of these plans.”
Jeff Nottle, President of the Phillip Island Conservation Society, believes offshore energy can significantly contribute to energy needs, but it needs to be carefully managed and adverse impacts on the environment and the local economy need to be minimised.
“It is widely accepted that the Phillip Island environment is the Phillip Island economy. Protection of marine life and sea birds is paramount and the location of the turbines and the method of construction is key. Further consultation is required to ensure protections for the economy and the environment.”
Mr Boelen added that his organisation won’t rest until common sense prevails and the requested zones are removed.
“We’ve corralled the deep concern of hundreds of local residents and have begun conversations with the visitor community who share our view. We will maintain good faith discussions with Government and other relevant stakeholders over the coming months in the best interests of the Gippsland coast,” he said.
“We also realise that Gippsland is somewhat a test case for new national off-shore wind energy investment, so we will happily take part in broader discussion on this critical issue, for the good of the country.”
The group has some unlikely allies.
Despite holding a strong position on renewable energy, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young recently warned the government not to destroy treasures like Wilsons Prom when rolling out its offshore projects.
