Locals to help shape studies for Australia’s first offshore wind project

16 August 2021

Gippsland locals and visitors are invited to share their input, including on favourite sightseeing locations and special places, as planning for Australia’s first offshore wind project ramps up.

Star of the South is entering the next phase of its detailed environmental assessments with 25 technical reports to be prepared over the next two years. The reports will cover topics including environment, visual, social, business, transport, agriculture and fisheries.

Star of the South is seeking local knowledge and feedback to help shape its technical reports. People are invited to share information and photos of their favourite sightseeing spots for the project’s visual assessment, which will consider different viewpoints looking out towards the wind farm at sea.

People can provide feedback by attending consultation sessions in September, visiting the project’s Yarram hub at 310 Commercial Road, online at getinvolved.starofthesouth.com.au, or by SMSing photos of their favourite views to 0447 029 883.

Feedback will be used to inform the 25 technical reports so that community views, concerns or ideas are considered in these important assessments.

An online webinar and consultation sessions are being held in Yarram, Port Welshpool, Longford, Woodside, Leongatha and Morwell from Thursday 2 to Thursday 16 September 2021. Gippslanders are encouraged to come along to hear a presentation update, talk with the project team and share their feedback to help shape Star of the South’s ongoing development. 

From today the project’s latest newsletter will reach 50,000 letterboxes across Gippsland. People can also read the newsletter on Star of the South’s website.   

Offshore wind is growing momentum in Australia and Gippsland is paving the way for a new local industry – continuing its proud history of power generation into the future.

 Star of the South involves harnessing Bass Strait’s strong offshore winds with turbines in the sea, connecting into the Latrobe Valley via underground cables and powering homes.

 Offshore wind can create good quality local jobs in rural areas, boosting regional economies for decades.

 If built to its full 2.2 GW capacity, Star of the South would create thousands of jobs including up to 750 construction jobs and 200 ongoing jobs in Gippsland.

 To find out more about the project and for details about the community consultation sessions and webinar visit Star of the South’s website or call 1800 340 340. COVID-19 restrictions may mean events are cancelled or changed at short notice.

 Quotes attributable to Star of the South Chief Development Officer, Erin Coldham

“We’re keen to hear from locals and visitors about their favourite sightseeing and special locations in Gippsland to inform an assessment of what the offshore wind farm could look like from different viewpoints on land.”

“We encourage people to join our webinar and attend the upcoming community consultation sessions in September to hear what’s happening with Star of the South and share their feedback to help shape the project’s environmental assessments and development.

 “It’s exciting to see momentum growing for offshore wind in Australia and we’re proud to be progressing Star of the South in Gippsland – the home of Victoria’s power generation.”