January 6, 2023
Gippsland has been declared as Australia’s first offshore windfarm zone by the Australian Government.
The declared area in Bass Strait covers around 15,000 square kilometres offshore and will run from Lakes Entrance to south of Wilsons Promontory in Australian Commonwealth waters.
The area was chosen following a public consultation process in August 2022. The area has the potential to generate 10GW of year-round wind energy due to the windy Bass Strait and existing strong grid across Gippsland and the La Trobe Valley.
A map of the declared area in Gippsland can be viewed below or visit the interactive map of the declared area here.
At offshore wind farms around the world, often recreational fishing can occur alongside an operational offshore wind farm and the structures can act as artificial reefs.
Another region being considered for offshore wind projects in Victoria includes the southern ocean region off Portland.
STAR OF THE SOUTH OFFSHORE WIND FARM PROJECT
The Star of the South Offshore Wind Farm project has been awarded Major Project Status by the Australian Government. Being awarded Major Project Status formally recognises the significance of a project to the Australian economy. Projects recognised will receive extra support and coordinated approvals.
VRFish met with Star of the South in the early planning stages of the project to represent the views of recreational fishers and has continued to be kept up-to-date on their work in the years since. The Star of the South project team have shown commitment to working with us to share the water and continue recreational fishing access in a safe manner.
The Star of the South project has the potential to support more than 2800 jobs during construction and a further 300 direct jobs during operations.
