We are seeking your feedback on the benefits and effects of future offshore renewable energy projects in a proposed area in the Southern Ocean Region, which extends from Warrnambool in Victoria to Port MacDonnell in South Australia.
At its closest, the area is 10 km off the Victorian and South Australian coast and has quality wind resources and marine conditions. The area has the potential to support up to 14GW of offshore wind.
A strong offshore energy industry in the region provides opportunities to:
- drive economic growth
- support and create jobs
- provide clean and affordable power to households, businesses and industrial consumers
- help us reach net zero by 2050.
Establishment of an offshore wind industry could help support thousands of jobs across Victoria and SA. An area this size has the capacity to support 3,000 jobs in construction and 3,000 jobs ongoing.
The Southern Ocean Region is the third out of 6 priority regions identified as possibly suitable for large-scale offshore wind projects. The first area declared as suitable was Bass Strait off Victoria’s Gippsland coast.
The community within the region and interested stakeholders can attend drop-in question and answer sessions with relevant staff from DCCEEW, and the Victorian and South Australian Governments from Tuesday 1 August to Thursday 3 August 2023:
| Town | Time and date | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Warrnambool, Victoria |
4.30pm - 6.30pm |
Lighthouse Studio, Lighthouse Theatre |
|
Port Fairy, Victoria |
12.00pm - 2.30pm |
Port Fairy Yacht Club |
|
Portland, Victoria |
4.30pm - 6.30pm |
Portland Golf Club |
|
Mount Gambier, South Australia |
12.00pm - 2.00pm |
City Hall - The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre (entry via Cave Garden / Thugi) |
|
Port MacDonnell, South Australia |
4:00pm - 5:45pm |
Port MacDonnell Football Club |
Offshore renewable energy projects must share this proposed multi-use area with other marine users and interests. Your feedback will help inform the Minister’s decision on whether the proposed area is suitable for offshore renewable energy.
Submissions must be made through the Have your say portal by 31 August 2023.
Read more
- Media release announcing the Southern Ocean Region offshore renewable energy consultation
- Establishing offshore renewable energy infrastructure
