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One Gippsland calls for inclusive community benefits and transparent consultation as part of offshore wind investment

One Gippsland supports renewable energy investment but emphasises the need for transparent consultation and local benefits beyond sponsorships. They call for strategic stakeholders' involvement.

By news@gippsland - 2nd August 2023 - Back to News

One Gippsland has welcomed the Victorian and Australian government's commitments to increasing renewable energy investment in our region. The alliance recognises the enormous economic opportunities and the potential for diversification in the region due to renewables investment.

One Gippsland urges transparent consultation with communities, seeking government collaboration on protecting local industry seeking community investment

Local benefit importance

One Gippsland has highlighted the importance of local benefit that moves beyond sponsorship of local community groups, and has called on project proponents to identify a range of strategic investments that will allow a social licence for the expected long-term disruption to the community during construction phases of any project. Building a social licence will require a strong process of transparent consultation with Gippsland communities. One Gippsland is calling on state and federal governments to work with our region to:

• Protect local industry and visual amenity in the design of the infrastructure
• Develop a collaborative design for a community investment framework
• Invest in local skills to empower our community to participate in the delivery of the infrastructure
• Invest in enabling and strategic infrastructure to support the build phase
• Investment in housing so locals are not disadvantaged during the build phase

One Gippsland is calling for strategic stakeholders to have a seat at table in key consultation forums to ensure there is a deep understanding of local issues. These bodies should include peak industry bodies, key community organisations and local government. For more information, please read our Offshore Wind Policy Position.

Pictures from One Gippsland website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com