Council
27 June, 2024
Council travels for offshore wind advocacy
A DELEGATION representing south west councils has travelled to Canberra to discuss the proposed offshore wind zone.
The delegation, led by Moyne Shire Council mayor Ian Smith, met with the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen to discuss the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone, a proposal to declare an offshore wind zone at least 15 kilometres off the coast of Moyne Shire encompassing an area of more than 1000 square kilometres.
Cr Smith said at the meeting last Tuesday he presented the Minister with details of Moyne Shire’s community survey, which highlighted the advocacy points which the community helped shape.
He said potential community benefits from developments was raised.
“The Minister is in agreeance any benefits need to be significant and widespread,” Cr Smith said.
“They need to be legacy building, not just one-off supports for groups and organisations.
“I explained to the Minister most responses to our survey highlighted the concerns people had with the proposals which included potential impacts on marine life, visual and economic impacts – which includes ensuring any transmission cables run undersea.
“We asked the Minister to provide information about how the government plans to address those concerns.”
Warrnambool City Council chief executive officer Andrew Mason and Moyne Shire’s director environment economy and place Jodie McNamara also attended, in addition to Glenelg Shire Council providing information for presentation.
Cr Smith said while the offshore wind zone was in Federal Government controlled waters and council would not be a decision maker when it came to issuing permits for construction, it did have a key role to play in advocacy and as a conduit for information.
“Council and the community will be important stakeholders in these developments, and we want to make sure concerns are heard, dealt with appropriately and any opportunity for wide reaching benefits seized on,” he said.
“The Minister was very responsive; he listened and has committed to working with us as any projects move forward.”