Port positives in South Gippsland Shire

COMMUNITIES in South Gippsland Shire are well positioned to benefit from offshore wind energy projects according to mayor Clare Williams and council CEO Kerryn Ellis.
The pair recently met with Upper House member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh and the operators of the side-by-side ports at Barry Beach.
“We’ve been in conversation with the State and Federal Governments for a while about the use of the two ports at Barry Beach for offshore wind (energy generation), and the opportunities that might present to South Gippsland; Tom McIntosh reached out and said he’d love the chance to have a look at the ports and meet the port operators,” Kerryn said.
Tom spent half a day with Clare and Kerryn, being introduced to Port Anthony operator Ben Anthony, and representatives of Barry Beach Marine Terminal operator Qube, who gave the trio a tour of the ports.
Kerryn was delighted to hear the ideas of the port operators.
“They talked to us about their plans for expansion and redeveloping their ports to be ready for offshore wind (energy generation),” she said.
Tom’s interest in the potential of the ports, combined with the port operators’ intended investment gives Kerryn further confidence significant benefits will flow into South Gippsland Shire.
She anticipates local employment opportunities with the chosen offshore wind energy companies, and the ports themselves, along with related supply chain roles that will benefit South Gippsland businesses.
As former mayor Nathan Hersey has previously stressed, Kerryn argues port improvements will be advantageous to other sectors of the South Gippsland economy.
“If the ports are redeveloped and they’re world class, there’ll be opportunities for other industries like agriculture and manufacturing to use them for export purposes,” Kerryn said.
The potential of industrial land around the two ports was discussed as was land availability for housing in the area.
Clare and Kerryn spoke to Tom about the need for new community infrastructure to support the growing worker population, not just roads but also early years services and other education services.
“It’s a good opportunity to advocate for the fact that if the population grows, the community will need those supportive services,” Kerryn said.
While the Federal Government is responsible for the declaration of renewable energy zones and granting licences to operators, the State Government’s role centres on ensuring infrastructure and support can be put in place.
Kerryn said previous discussions with Federal Government ministers and departments in Canberra about their aspirations for renewable energy were positive, and believes the three levels of government are working well together and there is commitment at State and Federal levels to ensure wind energy projects deliver local benefits.