Power minister defends offshore wind farm after backlash from NSW residents

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The federal authorities claims a proposed wind farm the dimensions of higher London off the coast of NSW will profit jobs and power sources however locals are involved it’s going to wipe out a main business within the area.

Power Minister Chris Bowen advised 2GB’s Chris O’Keefe the offshore wind farm with generators the peak of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to be constructed close to the state’s Hunter coast, will create a number of jobs and renewable power.

However some within the Port Stephens group aren’t impressed with the 1800-square-kilometre wind farm, which can be about 20 kilometres off the coast.


Residents concern the wind farm will affect the thriving fishing group within the area as it’s plonked on high of a famend spot often called the “automobile park”.


“It is nearly wiping out the world we go marlin fishing. That is one third of my enterprise that is going to be taken,” a neighborhood stated.

“We wish to see it moved away from our space.”

Bowen defended the development of the wind farm, claiming there may be loads of alternative for group session and environmental approvals to guard marine life and present jobs within the space.

He stated there are three phases to the development of the wind farm, anticipated to be accomplished by 2030.

“It’s fairly a strict and laborious course of,” he advised O’Keefe on the 9 radio station.

Numerous wind turbines, including some from RWE's new Kaskasi offshore wind farm, can be seen during the commissioning of the wind farm off Helgoland, Germany, Thursday March 23, 2023. (Christian Charisius/Pool via AP)
Offshore wind farms are already utilized in Europe like this one in Helgoland, Germany. (AP)

The primary was group session the place Bowen provided the group 65 days to supply suggestions on the undertaking.

He stated the windfarm zone was initially deliberate to be greater than 2800 sq. kilometres however the group suggestions led to the federal government lowering the dimensions by a 3rd.

Bowen additionally made modifications to guard some reefs and wildlife within the space on account of the consultations.

There have been nearly 2000 submissions from the group.

An offshore wind farm stands in the water near the Danish island of Samso.
Australia’s wind farm is proposed to be 1800 sq. kilometres and constructed off the NSW coast. (REUTERS)

The second stage is expressions of curiosity from wind farm firms who can bid on the undertaking however they will have to supply the federal government particulars on how a lot power they will create, what number of native jobs, how they will take care of whale migration and the present fishing business.

“We’ll take into account these bids and choose one of the best one for Australia,” he stated.

Bowen added the wind farm firms may also be footing the invoice for the development with no authorities subsidy to the undertaking.

Lastly, the chosen firm should bear environmental approvals.

“They’re going to have to fulfill all of the requirements of the varied environmental acts to indicate what they’re doing to handle the surroundings,” he stated.

Bowen stated the federal government is getting the steadiness proper between group issues and necessities for the undertaking.

Wild winds ripped the roof off of the Lancelin Sands Hotel in Lancelin, Western Australia. The town recorded the strongest wind gusts in the state at 126 km/h.

WA burn off creates fascinating picture

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