Turbine turbulence at shire meeting

By Andrew Paloczi

THE PROSPECT of local offshore wind turbines sparked a break from unanimity at Wednesday’s South Gippsland Shire Council meeting, with one councillor believing the risk of such projects is too great.

“I can’t support anything that destroys the coastline or the environment for an experimental energy (project) that may or may not save us,” Cr Scott Rae said, refusing to back a proposed council submission to the Federal Government providing ‘in principle’ support for offshore renewable energy in the shire.

He acknowledged that the since-adopted submission includes concerns about the way renewable energy projects in the region may be delivered, but feels the reservations expressed are insufficient.

“I’d rather not see it forced upon the South Gippsland community,” he said of the prospect of local offshore energy generation. 

Mayor Mohya Davies labelled renewable energy industries as the future, while highlighting that “South Gippsland is bordered by the oil and gas fields of Bass Strait and the coal fields of the Latrobe Valley.”

Cr Davies acknowledged the approach to renewable energy generation in South Gippsland is not a straightforward issue to address.

“There is a lot of pressure on council to move forward with our position on this; however, we are conflicted because our pristine coastline and coastal villages and our natural environment is highly valued by our community,” she said.

Cr Davies believes council has struck the right balance with its now adopted submission to Federal Government on the issue.

“We have asked that a couple of the areas that have been identified closest to the Prom are not included in the ongoing plan for offshore wind towers in Bass Strait,” she said.

The mayor outlined benefits expected to flow from such energy developments elsewhere in the shire, but emphasised the importance of careful consideration of all issues involved.

“The proposed projects would bring welcome employment and investment in South Gippsland, but it will also bring some challenges for us in dealing with our planning and continued growth, so council will need support from other levels of government to achieve this,” Cr Davies said. 

Cr Rae was the only person to vote against the now-adopted council submission.

However, while councillors Sarah Gilligan, John Schelling and Adrian Darakai expressed cautious support for considering the possibility of offshore renewable energy production in the shire, they acknowledged reservations currently exist.

That will remain the case unless it becomes certain that offshore energy initiatives would be carried out in a manner that is sensitive to community and environmental needs.

While council is lodging a submission, individuals and local organisations are also encouraged to do so by the October 7 cut off.