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Impact of proposed offshore wind farms on Gippsland community needs to be provided by Andrews Labor government

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien has called on the Andrews Labor government to provide clarity on its proposed investments in offshore wind farms.

By news@gippsland - 10th February 2023 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien said the state government's plan to reintroduce the State Electricity Commission (SEC) as a major production player investing up to $1 billion in offshore wind farms is vague and unexplained. He says the government needs to provide some detail on how the proposed investments will impact the Gippsland South community.

Offshore wind energy is a huge opportunity for Victoria with the potential to create jobs, new supply chains and help us decarbonise our energy system

Plan needs sufficient information

Mr O'Brien said, "We currently have at least five offshore wind farm proposals from major players in the local and global energy supply chain and I am aware that there are other very big investors preparing to develop wind farm plans."

"This does raise questions as to why tax-payer money should be put towards constructing offshore wind farms given the proposed investments already from the private sector. The Labor Party seems to have put forward a populist policy during the election campaign, but in the months since there has been very little extra information." Mr O'Brien said.

Failed to articulate

Mr O'Brien said the offshore wind proposals could be very beneficial for Gippsland provided that there is a focus on local jobs and investment. "I am concerned that the government has proposed that the Port of Hastings should be the main construction port for the offshore wind industry in Gippsland."

"That would make the opportunities for Gippsland very minimal compared to other potential suppliers and limit the amount of local jobs involved in the construction and ongoing operation of the wind farms. We need an assurance that the new SEC, if it is to invest in offshore wind, will actually deliver a benefit to Gippsland."

"So far the government has failed to articulate how that will occur let alone address issues such as transmission lines and other aspects of offshore wind development." Mr O'Brien said.

Pictures from Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com