Federal Government’s offshore wind farm zone declaration in South West draws mixed reactions

The Federal Government’s decision to declare an offshore wind farm zone in the South West has received mixed reactions, despite the zone being reduced in size by about half. On Monday, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen revealed a stripped back offshore windfarm zone of about 4000sqkm, which is now in two parts to make way for a shipping route. It is now open to feasibility licence applications from prospective developers, with Mr Bowen confirming the new zones cut the overlap with recreational fishing by 60 per cent. Mr Bowen heralded the declaration as an important step forward for WA’s energy future, saying it would create 7000 construction jobs and 3500 ongoing jobs if fully used. “It will also provide, at fully utilised, more than 11GW of energy for Western Australians,” he said. “That’s a lot of energy for Western Australians as Western Australia’s energy needs grow.” Mr Bowen estimated a wind farm would be operational between 2028 and 2032. There were 2670 community submissions during the consultation period held between late February and the beginning of May. Feasibility licence applications are now open for two months, with companies able to stake their claims to develop in the zones. Vasse MLA and State Liberal leader Libby Mettam said the result was a blow to the South West. “The fact it was announced behind a barbed wire fence goes to show how unpopular it is,” she said. “Anthony Albanese knows he can walk all over this weak Premier (Roger Cook) and get away with it — this is just the latest example. “Anthony Albanese is an east-coast Prime Minister who is anti-mining, anti-live exports, and is now forcing an unwanted windfarm in the most pristine part of our State, and Roger Cook is letting it happen. “I will continue to fight with my Liberal Party colleagues at a State and Federal level to stop this destructive, unwanted windfarm proceeding in Geographe Bay, against Western Australians’ wishes.” Among the people in the community upset about the decision is Yallingup resident Andrew Wynne, who has started a petition calling for the State Government to oppose offshore wind farms in the South West. He described the Federal Government’s community consultation process as “offensive”. “It has treated people with contempt and the State Government has failed to show any interest in the process,” he said. “Chris Bowen is running this project as if he’s putting in a couple of footy fields. The Tasmanian football stadium project is going through more scrutiny than this project.” The WA Fishing Industry Council and Recfishwest both expressed their concerns over offshore wind farms, with WAFIC chief executive Melissa Haslam concerned local seafood production would suffer. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union State secretary Steve McCartney said the wind farm could provide stable jobs for South West workers. “AMWU members in the South West have spent 20 years campaigning for good local manufacturing jobs that allow them to live at home, earn a decent living, and see their families every night,” he said. “Mandating that a local wind supply chain industry in the South West be used to service large-scale renewable energy projects gives them that opportunity.” The proposal has garnered cautious support from the Conservation Council of WA, which said while offshore wind was a key in a transition to a net zero future, it had to be done carefully to reduce environmental impact. Offshore wind farm proponents Copenhagen Energy and Oceanex Energy were both supportive of the Federal Government’s decision, with Oceanex chair Andy Evans describing the zone’s declaration as a positive step. “I think the Government has taken into consideration a lot of the comments and submissions that have been made, listened to their views, positive or negative, but also given developers enough to work with to make the area a real success,” he said.