Shire keeping close eye on renewable energy prospects

BASS Coast Shire has welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to renewable energy but raised a number of concerns regarding offshore wind.

According to the shire, they actively support the transition to renewable energy and accepts that when it comes to wind power, the Victorian coastline has significant potential. 

The coastlines of Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Wellington, and East Gippsland Shires provide strong, consistent winds, proximity to electricity markets as well as connection to the existing grid and associated industry.

At this stage there is only high-level detail provided regarding location, consequently Council’s response should be considered within this context. 

Whilst offering in principle support, Bass Coast expresses the following concerns for the Gippsland offshore renewable energy infrastructure area:

• the proposed area identified is extensive and given the size of current and possible future turbines, too close to the shore,

• the proposed area would have a significant impact on several nationally iconic views including the globally recognised Phillip Island Penguin Parade,

• the area is an environmentally vulnerable and sensitive marine environment,

• the impact on whale migration, the iconic penguin parade and mass shearwater migration requires independent investigation,

• the aggregated impact of multiple environmental issues would affect the visitor economy of the region,

• Local Government has limited resources to effectively play its role in the planning and approval of projects,

• Developing new industries such as offshore wind in Australia will generate significant opportunities for economic prosperity in region and careful consideration and planning is required to maximise local participation and benefit while mitigating negative impacts,

• consideration of construction and servicing infrastructure particularly waterside is required when determining most appropriate areas,

• there is no detail regarding onshore location of works including the need for underground transmission and project consolidation of shared infrastructure and easements.

The shire further added, “We encourage Commonwealth, State and Local governments to work collaboratively to streamline the approval process for such applications.”

“Since the recent announcement by the Federal Government, Council has been approached by several potential offshore wind proponents. 

“Council is concerned about how it will be able to contribute effectively to any approval processes which includes Commonwealth approval, State (EES) approval, and local land use planning approval, all of which will require significant resourcing.

“Council would welcome the opportunity to directly discuss how the approval process may be structured to reduce the burden on our community and enable us to effectively review and comment on the numerous applications we are likely to receive.”

The shire summarised their position stating that given the limited information in the current Notice to Declare an Area proposal, “It is difficult for council and the Bass Coast community to form a final position on this matter.”

Key concern over offshore wind raised

THE Destination Phillip Island Board (DPI) has made a submission to the Commonwealth Government’s plans to approve area maps for potential offshore windfarms along the south coast of Phillip Island. 

DPI acknowledges and supports the transition to renewable energy in Australia and Victoria, and the concept of offshore windfarms as one of the sources of renewable energy. 

However, there are a number of concerns that DPI considers need to be addressed in considering the development, construction and operation of offshore windfarms in the waters off Phillip Island and Bass Coast. 

These are issues that are relevant to tourism, recreational and commercial fishing, the community, and to the environment, animals, birds and sea life.

The area proposed includes all of the Southern coastline of Phillip Island from The Nobbies to Cape Woolamai. The map proposes an area as close as 5kms from the coast. 

Destination Phillip Island is concerned about the impacts in the following areas and has suggested that the maps exclude the Phillip Island and Bass Coast areas to avoid these impacts arising.

Key points raised include:

• The visual amenity impact of an offshore windfarm and or windfarms

• Impact on marine ecosystem including the population of little penguins, seals, whales, dolphins and other species

• Impact on bird life and the migration paths of birds

• Direct impact on business – fisherman commercial and recreational, on water tourism operations 

• Onshore environmental impacts – including transmission pathways

• Impacts of construction and operation of offshore wind farms including accommodation shortages, impact on roads and local jetties