Turbines are us… or not?

GIVEN the way the Albanese Government is trying to roll out a massive renewable energy initiative off our coast, from the Nobbies on Phillip Island to the 90 Mile Beach, you’d have to wonder how fair dinkum they are about community engagement.

Instead of using all available media including radio, TV, local newspapers, social media and direct contact by email to make the necessary impact, given the short timeframe, the government has used very limited measures to get the message out about a series of local “drop-in” engagement sessions.

Did you know that the Australian Department of Industry Science and Resources is holding three of these sessions, offering at least some chance to ask questions before the deadline for public submissions on Friday, October 7, at these locations this week:

• Yarram: Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at the Regent Theatre 4pm – 6pm.
• Wonthaggi: Thursday, September 1, 2022 at the Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club 11am – 2pm.
• Leongatha: Thursday, September 1, 2022 at the South Gippsland Shire Council Chambers 5pm – 7pm.

Despite the department’s refusal (so far) to advertise these sessions in any local newspapers across Gippsland, in the public interest the Sentinel-Times is prepared to highlight the opportunity they present to local readers.

While the proposed location for the 200-turbine Star of the South project, offshore from Port Albert, is afforded some masking by St Margaret’s Island and other small islands in the Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park, most of the other proposed development areas will impact highly valuable coastal areas in South Gippsland and Bass Coast.

Even if you support offshore wind for renewable energy there are still questions to be asked.
• How close and how visible will they be from the coast?
• Will they have to be removed after their use-by date?
• Will there be overhead transmission lines?
• What is the anticipated route for transmission lines?
• What is being done to minimise bird strikes in the vicinity of the Corner Inlet Ramsar Site and other key habitat areas?
• Will wind energy be used in conjunction with battery technology?
• What is the expected impact on tourism?
• How many jobs will be permanently located in Bass Coast and South Gippsland?

If you have concerns, now is the time to express them via a submission on the government website at https://consult.industry.gov.au/oei-gippsland