Joint media release with the Member for Gippsland the Hon Darren Chester MP

“The Morrison Government is getting on with creating an offshore wind industry and today has announced the Bass Strait off Gippsland as Australia’s first priority area to be assessed for suitability for offshore wind developments,” Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson said. 

 

This area has comparatively favourable wind conditions, investor interest, indications of support from the State Government, and has identified grid connection plans. 

 

Backing offshore wind supports Australia on our journey to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The Morrison Government’s technology focused plan is supported by a further $1.3 billion of new investment in the 2022-23 Budget to maintain energy security, keep downward pressure on electricity prices while reducing emissions.

 

Assistant Minister Wilson said the Morrison Government is implementing Australia’s first Offshore Electricity Infrastructure framework to enable a new industry to emerge and to secure affordable energy, jobs and investment as part of building Australia’s clean industrial future. 

 

“The Morrison Government is backing the creation of an Australian offshore wind industry by identifying priority areas for assessment.”

 

“We’re pressing down on the accelerator and delivering a pathway to decarbonisation.”

 

“Our government understands that a strong offshore energy sector can help provide clean and affordable power to households, businesses, and industrial consumers.”

 

“An offshore electricity industry could create thousands of new jobs and drive the economic growth of our regional and coastal economies,” Assistant Minister Wilson said. 

 

“Only the Morrison Government is positioning Australia for success by backing renewable technology that will deliver for all Australians. The Greens want to decarbonise through deindustrialisation, Labor with higher taxes by stealth. Only the Morrison Government has a plan to build Australia’s industrial future by backing the deployment of new technology at scale.”

 

Today’s announcement is good news for Star of the South, a proposed 2 gigawatt wind farm in Bass Strait off the south coast of Gippsland. The project has the potential to supply power to 1.2 million homes and deliver up to 20 per cent of Victoria’s electricity needs.

 

Star of the South is expected to create around 2,000 direct jobs in Victoria over its lifetime, including 760 Gippsland jobs during construction and 200 ongoing local jobs once it’s up and running. The project would invest around $8.7 billion in Victoria, including injecting an estimated $6.4 billion directly into Gippsland’s economy.

 

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said that, “Today’s announcement is good news for Gippsland with the proposed Star of the South project expected to support local jobs and increase our renewable energy infrastructure.” 

 

“This first step will help to ensure the area is suitable for offshore wind developments and has appropriate safeguards to protect local marine life and the surrounding environment,” Mr Chester said.

“I look forward to seeing the outcome of the assessment and the progress of the project.”

 

The area announced today only represents the start of this process, which will kickstart further assessment, including strong consultation with local communities and existing maritime users. 

 

The Morrison Government will evaluate and announce further areas for development as they are identified and prioritised, once the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 commences in June. Ensuring local communities can have their say is a critical part of this process, with a minimum 60-day public consultation period required.

 

Assessments will focus on the impact of offshore renewable energy infrastructure activities on the area, with particular focus on the environment including marine life and migratory birds, fishing, shipping, other marine uses, and local communities. 

 

The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act provides a framework for granting licences to undertake offshore electricity infrastructure activities in Commonwealth offshore areas. 

 

On Tuesday 22 March 2022 the Morrison Government released draft regulations for the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure framework for public consultation. The draft regulations set out operational arrangements, including the licencing scheme, fees and levies. 

 

The consultation period on the regulations is open until 22 April 2022 and provides a mechanism for investors and stakeholders to provide important feedback.

 

More information about the framework is available on: www.industry.gov.au/regulations-and-standards/regulating-offshore-renewable-energy

Media contact: 

Assistant Minister Wilson’s office 02 6277 2392