Project update - January 2024
31 January 2024
Where to find us
Happy New Year! We’ve had a great start to the year attending local events like the Sea Days Festival in Port Welshpool, where we had the chance to talk with over 50 people about offshore wind!
Next up, you can find us at:
Toora Triathlon and Family Fun Day – Sunday 18 February, from 9 am, Toora Recreation Reserve
Foster and District Agricultural Show – Saturday 24 February, 8:30 am – 4 pm, Foster Showgrounds
ICN Victoria Renewable Energy Mixer – Thursday 29 February, 5 pm – 7 pm, MCG
Local boat ramps – various dates and locations, see article below.
You can also contact us anytime on 1800 340 340, info@starofthesouth.com.au or by visiting our Gippsland office.
Our Regional Engagement Manager Paul and Community Advisory Group Member Jack at the Sea Days Festival
Talking fishing at local boat ramps
It’s finally looking like summer here. We’ll be out at boat ramps across Gippsland over the coming weeks to catch up with local and visiting fishers.
We know that many types of fishing, including recreational fishing, can continue in an operational offshore wind farm. We’re keen to understand when, where and how fishers use the area to inform project planning, hear ideas for sharing the waters safely, and to answer questions.
We’ll be at these boat ramps – if you see us, come and say hi:
Port Welshpool
Port Albert
McLoughlins Beach
Manns Beach
If you don't run into us and want to share your feedback, call 1800 340 340 or complete a fishing survey online.
Look out for our flag at local boat ramps
Update on our feasibility licence application
In late December, the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy confirmed that preliminary decisions have been made on granting feasibility licences for the Gippsland offshore wind zone. The next steps in the process are underway and final decisions are expected soon.
This means Gippslanders will hear more about where offshore wind farms could be located and the companies proposing to develop them.
A feasibility licence provides the right to investigate the feasibility of an offshore wind project within a licence area for seven years. Further approvals, licences and permits are needed to move ahead to construction.
We’ll share updates as we hear more, or keep an eye on the government webpage for news about the Gippsland offshore wind zone.
If Star of the South is granted a feasibility licence we'll be able to finalise and submit environmental assessments and seek the approvals needed to build Star of the South. This will form a big part of our work this year.
We hope to continue working with Gippslanders to bring offshore wind to the region
New year, new office
Our Melbourne team kicked off the year in new digs, moving into an office shared with our Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners colleagues.
In Gippsland our growing team now have two offices to work from – Yarram and Sale! Yarram will continue to be our community drop-in office, open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 am – 5 pm.
Connecting with colleagues in our new office