Project update - August 2024

Written By Star of the South

30 August 2024

Gippsland New Energy Conference  

Next week Traralgon will host Australia’s largest regional energy conference. Around 700 attendees and over 100 speakers are expected across three jam-packed days. We’re proud to be part of the conversation about Gippsland’s energy future and opportunities.

Tuesday 3 September – Conference

Members of our team – Adam, Myles and Paul – will join discussions about environmental assessment, global learnings and working with Traditional Owner partners on the first day of the conference.

Wednesday 4 September – Free Community Expo

Come along to the Discover Renewable Energy Expo and talk with us about offshore wind from 4 pm – 8 pm. There'll be lots to do and see:

  • Watch the award-winning film about offshore wind “Planet Wind”

  • Meet the local author of “Here Comes the Sun”

  • Hear from experts during panel discussions

  • Speak with industry, community groups and more

  • Enjoy food trucks and entertainment.

Thursday 5 September – Gippy Youth Summit

We’ll be here to talk with students about careers in offshore wind.

Find out more.

We spoke with locals interested in offshore wind at the community expo last year

Getting ready for offshore wind jobs

Offshore wind will create thousands of local jobs for people with a range of experience and skills.

We recently met John (pictured below, centre), an electrician at Yallourn Power Station who is excited about the potential to make a move to offshore wind when the power station retires.

"As Yallourn Power Station gets closer to closing, a big project like Star of the South means there’s hope for future jobs here in our backyard, with some upskilling that could be completed locally”, he said.

We’re proud to be working closely with partners like TAFE Gippsland and Federation University to ensure local training meets worker and industry needs.

Here’s a few ways local training providers are gearing up to prepare workers for new opportunities in offshore wind:

  • Federation University, TAFE Gippsland, Energy Australia Yallourn and Southerly Ten released 'Transition Opportunities: Coal to Offshore Wind' - a resource for coal workers thinking about a career in offshore wind.

  • TAFE Gippsland announced they will lead the Clean Economy Skills Lab for Victoria.

  • We participated in a Clean Energy Council workshop at Federation University 'Accessing Faster, Easier, Safer, Clean Energy Jobs' aiming to enhance opportunities for trade workers in regional and outer Melbourne areas.

To find out more about typical offshore wind jobs, check out our Offshore Wind Jobs Guide.

‘Transition Opportunities: Coal to Offshore Wind’ was launched at Federation University this month

Meet our FedCadet

Meet Jacob Politakis, our Federation University cadet.

Jacob works part-time with Star of the South while completing a Bachelor of Electrical and Information Engineering (Honours) at Federation University.

Working across our industry development, engineering and community engagement teams, Jacob says he’s gained a well-rounded understanding of what's involved in developing an offshore wind project.

"It’s been a great opportunity to see how a project comes together from the very beginning – I'm learning a lot”.

"I really enjoy getting out to events and talking to locals about the project, especially the career expos. It’s been really inspiring to talk to other young people about the different jobs in offshore wind – it’s exciting to think about all the opportunities tradies and students will have, right here in Gippsland”, he said.

Jacob is looking forward to a career in renewable energy and getting more involved in the technical side of project construction.

Jacob met Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio MP while touring Federation University

Fact or fiction?

Wondering if something you read or heard about offshore wind is true? Here are a few common myths – and the facts. 

Myth: Wind turbines aren’t recyclable

Fact: Turbines are already made of around 90% recyclable materials like steel, copper and aluminium. Making recyclable turbine blades is a key challenge and focus for the wind industry. There have been promising breakthroughs recently with major turbine manufacturers developing and trialing new blade recycling methods – with a target of zero-waste blades by 2040.

Myth: You’ll hear the turbines from land

Fact: Being at least 10 km offshore, you won’t hear the turbines from the beach or homes as they spin and generate electricity at sea.

Find more offshore wind facts here.

Or talk with our team about your offshore wind questions.

Upcoming industry events 

We’re taking part in upcoming energy, ocean and fishing conferences. You can find us at: 

We’re looking forward to Seafood Directions 2024 in Hobart 

Have your say on Gippsland’s future

The Latrobe Valley Authority wants to hear from locals about how you experience the region, what could improve your quality of life and your views on the shift to renewable energy.

Complete the survey and help shape Gippsland’s future.

Star of the South
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Project update - July 2024