Community
30 June, 2023
Opinion sought on offshore turbines
COASTLINE spanning from South Australia through Warrnambool has been proposed as Victoria’s second declared region for offshore wind turbines.
The proposed area for the offshore wind farm spans the Southern Ocean Region, 10 kilometres off the coast of Port MacDonnell in South Australia and spanning past Portland, Port Fairy, Killarney, Dennington, Warrnambool and through to south of Childers Cove.
Members of the community will have a 60-day consultation period (until August 31) to provide feedback which could shape the proposal.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio attended the region on Wednesday with Federal Minister for Energy Chris Bowen to announce the consultation process to be undertaken before a decision is made by the Australian Government.
“We welcome the addition of a second offshore wind zone in Victoria and want to ensure Portland and surrounding communities can harness the benefits of our renewable energy transition,” she said.
“Victoria is blessed with rich renewable sources, including our windy coastlines, this will help us achieve our renewable energy target of 95 per cent by 2035.”
Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora said the potential to further the transition to renewable energy was exciting.
“This is an exciting day for western Victoria as we undergo a once in a generation energy transition,” she said.
“We’ll be making sure the local community continues to be at the heart of process as consultation unfolds.”
The proposal states the specific location and number of turbines within the area has yet to be specified as the declared area allows companies to apply for licenses to explore the potential for establishing a project within its boundary, however states any proposed projects will undergo a “rigorous Environmental Effects Statement processes”.
The declaration of the Southern Ocean Region zone was made in support of the Andrews Labor Government’s targets for at least two gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2032, 4GW by 2035 and 9GW by 2040.
The industry is expected to create more than 6000 jobs and generate billions in investment.
Offshore Wind Energy Victoria (OWEV) will continue to work with local Traditional Owners to discuss the potential zone and ensure future development of offshore wind in the area is undertaken in genuine partnership.
OWEV will assist the community through the consultation process, making sure it is informed and has every opportunity to participate and influence the location of the final declared area.
The recently announced Victorian Transmission Investment Framework will ensure environmental, land-use, cultural and social factors are considered early in the process to inform locations for new transmission projects across the state, including new transmission that is needed to connect offshore wind farms to Victoria’s grid.
To have your say in the process visit consult.dcceew.gov.au/oei-southern-ocean.
For more information about offshore wind development in Victoria visit energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/offshore-wind-energy.
