Project update - March 2024
28 March 2024
Talk with our team
Find us out and about at these events:
Lions Club Market Yarram, Monday 1 April, 8 am - 12 pm, Yarram Recreation Reserve
Trade & Tech Fit career expo, 8-9 May, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Or contact us anytime on 1800 340 340, info@starofthesouth.com.au or by visiting our Gippsland office (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 am-5 pm or by appointment).
Learning from our friends in the US
Our Fishing Liaison Officer Lachlan has just returned from a study trip to the US, where he spent time with the Vineyard Wind fishing liaison team as they met commercial fishers and attended the Lobstermen's Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show.
This was a great opportunity to see first-hand how the offshore wind and fishing industries are working together and take learnings from the US experience.
He also had a chance to see turbine towers and blades for the Vineyard Wind 1 project at the Port of New Bedford.
"Fishers in the US have many of the same questions that I hear from fishers in Gippsland. It was great to meet new people, hear how passionate they are about fishing, and learn more about how it can be done alongside an offshore wind farm," Lachlan said.
Lachlan at the Port of New Bedford in Massachusetts, US.
Gippslanders on German offshore wind tour
A few lucky Gippslanders spent four days in Germany this month to deepen their understanding of offshore wind.
Glen from Latrobe City Council, Darren from the Gippsland Climate Change Network, and Dan from Nanoo Nanoo were part of a delegation hosted by the Germany-Australia Energy Partnership and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
They joined others from around Australia to explore how an offshore wind industry could be leveraged to create long-term community benefits in Gippsland.
The group met global offshore wind professionals; gained insights into supply chain opportunities, transmission strategies, and community benefits; and saw North Sea offshore wind farms in action – a trip highlight.
Glen, Darren and Dan at a turbine factory in Germany.
VicGrid transmission update
VicGrid is developing a shared transmission line to connect offshore wind energy generated off the Gippsland coast to the grid. Last week, VicGrid released an update confirming the study area for this transmission line.
If you’ve been following Star of the South’s journey, you’ll know that we’ve been working on a transmission system to connect our proposed offshore wind project to the grid since 2019. Much has changed since we started this work – there was no offshore wind industry and no VicGrid. Star of the South was the only proposed offshore wind project at that time, and so we started work on a transmission route that would allow us to connect to the grid in the Latrobe Valley.
Right now, we’re taking stock of the new information and working through what it means for Star of the South’s proposed transmission system.
We look forward to further discussions with VicGrid to inform our next steps and will share updates as we understand more.
Find more information at the VicGrid engagement website.
Building an inclusive new energy industry for Gippsland
Gippsland Women in New Energy (GWNE) is a new organisation, founded by two Gippslanders to highlight the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in Gippsland’s new energy sector.
GWNE’s launch brought men and women from across Gippsland together on International Women’s Day.
Gippsland's energy tradition is continuing, with more opportunities than ever before for a diverse and inclusive workforce. As a new industry, offshore wind has the chance to get this right from the very start.
Erin, Amelia and Stella at the Gippsland Women in New Energy (GWNE) launch
Heesco Town brings home gold
Congratulations to Yarram’s Heesco Town for picking up two awards at the Australian Street Art Awards this month - Best Street Art Experience in Victoria and bronze in the Best Mega Mural.
If you haven't seen the water tower mural yet, the Easter break is a perfect time to visit. You can check out the 25 colourful Heesco murals around town, or get involved in Tarra Festival activities taking place across the weekend.
You can’t miss the colourful water tower mural in Yarram. Photo credit: Hesco Town