The proposed offshore wind zone farm has received criticism after the federal government declared an area off the coast of Bunbury for the renewable industry.
The proposed offshore wind zone farm has received criticism after the federal government declared an area off the coast of Bunbury for the renewable industry.
Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen this week declared a 4,000 square kilometre area along Geographe Bay as an offshore wind zone.
It comes after the federal government conducted a two-month consultation process earlier this year.
The final area declared for the offshore wind zone cuts the initial proposed 7,674 square kilometres area by about half.
The Western Australian Fishing Industry Council today announced its concerns over future wind farms squeezing out commercial fishers in the South West.
Both the state and federal Liberal parties claimed the federal government operated a "sham consultation", lacking interactions with locals.
Senator Michaelia Cash, who is also federal deputy opposition leader, yesterday claimed WA Regional Development Minister and Bunbury MP Don Punch did not support a wind farm proposal in the South West through a letter.
“Let's be clear here the South West Wind Farm, it has got no friends,” she said.
“That includes, may I say, Don Punch the relevant minister from Western Australia who wrote, and I quote, ‘given the cost and complexity of offshore wind, we do not see it as a viable option for the foreseeable future’.
“It is not a focus for the WA government. So Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese are not even listening to their own counterparts in the WA government.”
However, Mr Punch told Business News that the matter was under federal government jurisdiction.
“The decision appears to have taken on board some of the community feedback from the consultation process,” he said.
“We expect offshore wind is more likely to become a reality on the east coast, where there is less available land with wind and solar resources.”
Mr Punch said the state government was not progressing any offshore wind proposals.
“We’re focused on delivering the energy transition in WA through onshore renewables, rooftop solar and use of gas as a firming fuel – which will provide clean, affordable and reliable energy for WA’s future,” he said.
“The Commonwealth has acted in accordance with the legislation established by the Morrison Liberal government, legislation supported by the local liberal federal member Nola Marino and it is the next stage of that federal process that will determine viability or otherwise.”
WAFIC chief executive Melissa Haslam has called on the federal government for more details on the offshore wind area.
“It is encouraging to see that the revised area has reduced its overlap with commercial fisheries, however it is another incremental hit on the fishing sector that will reduce the capacity to put local seafood on plates,” she said.
“While the WA fishing industry recognises the need to co-exist with other marine based industries it is essential that the planning process is open and transparent and actively seeks to reduce impacts on commercial fishing.”
Ms Haslam said WAFIC’s preference was for renewable energy projects to be located away from fishing grounds and for every effort to be made to avoid interactions.
“Where this is not possible, we need the opportunity to have input into the windfarm designs to minimise potential impacts,” she said.
