Council
19 February, 2025
Dutton vows to scrap offshore wind zone
THE Dutton Coalition Government has pledged to rescind the plans for a large offshore windfarm on the south west coast ahead of this year’s federal election, backed by the support of thousands of locals calling for its cancellation.
This is one of the Coalition’s first election commitments, opposing Labor’s intentions to proceed with the Southern Ocean Offshore Wind Zone.
“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Energy Minister Chris Bowen have shown complete disregard for the people of Warrnambool and Port Fairy in their desperate push to impose a renewables-only electricity grid,” Mr Dutton said.
“The local community treasure their waterways and are deeply concerned about the potential impacts on the nearby Logans Beach Whale Nursery, the whale migration highway, migratory seabirds, recreational fishing and tourism operations.
“Instead of addressing these concerns, Labor’s deeply flawed community engagement process has only caused distress and division.”
No Offshore Wind Farm Zone Warrnambool and District Network convenor Michael Neoh welcomed the Coalition’s commitment to rescind the offshore wind zone project.
“We are grateful for the 12,000 members of the community who signed petitions,” he said.
“We are pleased that a habitat critical to the survival of the endangered Southern Right Whale is one step closer to being protected.
“Whilst there is a long way to go, we should feel a sense of achievement for obtaining a commitment to rescind the Southern Ocean Offshore Wind Zone that we have always said is in an inappropriate location.”
Mr Dutton said the Coalition said they consulted closely with concerned residents from day one and has concluded that offshore wind in this zone is completely untenable.
“Fair and reasonable questions from the community about the economic and environmental impacts of offshore wind have been ignored, and the situation has now reached a point of no return,” he said.
“A Freedom of Information (FOI) request uncovered a report from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Migratory Species Section, revealing the environmental impact this offshore wind farm will have on local wildlife, particularly whales and seabirds.
“Around Australia, we have seen that when governments botch consultation, projects ultimately fail.
“Residents of south west Victoria have spoken, and a Dutton Coalition Government will stand with them.”
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