In a landmark announcement, the federal government officially declared the Illawarra offshore wind zone, located 20 kilometres off the coast of Wollongong in NSW.
This decision has garnered widespread support from various groups, including University of Wollongong, Climate Council, Friends of the Earth Australia, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), all of which agree on the significant benefits for climate action and job creation.
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A balance of environment and development
The zone’s declaration is designed to balance environmental protection with industrial development, excluding sensitive areas such as the Biologically Important Area for the Little Penguin and the Southern Right Whale migration and reproduction area.
The government estimates that the Illawarra area will create approximately 1,740 jobs during construction and 870 ongoing jobs, significantly benefiting the local economy.
Representatives from the ETU and MUA, present at the announcement with Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, underscored the importance of detailed environmental assessments and further consultations during the feasibility stage.
These steps are essential to ensure that the offshore wind projects coexist harmoniously with existing industries such as shipping, tourism, and fishing.
Unions support Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone Declaration
The Electrical Trades Union and Maritime Union of Australia celebrated the announcement, highlighting the potential for enhanced energy and job security in the Illawarra region.
Michael Wright, ETU National Secretary, remarked, “This is a win for workers, industry, and our future. No nation is better placed than Australia to turbocharge its economy with abundant, cheap emission-free electricity.”
Thomas Mayo, MUA Assistant National Secretary, added, “The declaration of this offshore wind zone is another step to building an Australian offshore wind industry that will deliver and sustain many thousands of long-term and rewarding jobs for maritime workers.”
Mayo expressed optimism about assembling offshore wind turbines in Port Kembla and utilizing local steel for floating foundations.
Friends of the Earth Australia
Friends of the Earth Australia has hailed the declaration as a positive step towards addressing climate change and generating employment opportunities.
Pat Simons, the renewable energy spokesperson for Friends of the Earth, stated, “From Gippsland in Victoria to the Illawarra and Hunter in NSW, offshore wind represents a massive opportunity to take action on climate change while creating thousands of new jobs.”
Simons emphasized the importance of offshore wind in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a sustainable energy source as coal-fired power stations close.
Climate Council
Climate Council Head of Policy and Advocacy, Dr Jennifer Rayner, said: “The Illawarra has long been a manufacturing powerhouse. With affordable, clean energy being produced in the region, places like Wollongong and Port Kembla will continue thriving for generations to come.
“Offshore wind will be an important part of Australia’s clean energy grid because it provides reliable, steady renewable energy right around the clock. This is one of the important ways we’ll power Australia as our ageing and unreliable coal-fired generators close.
Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong
“The Illawarra offshore wind energy zone is a positive step for our region. Most people are concerned about our climate and the environment, so the declaration clears the way for independent research into the environmental aspects of offshore wind to proceed.”
“By working together as a community, sharing our concerns for the environment to codesign a clean energy future for the region, we have the ability to deliver a positive outcomes for our oceans, our communities and our local economy,” Ty Christopher, engineer and director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong, said.
University of Wollongong’s Blue Energy Futures Lab
Associate Professor Michelle Voyer, marine social scientist and member of the University of Wollongong’s Blue Energy Futures Lab, said: “The period leading up to the declaration of the Illawarra Offshore Energy Infrastructure Zone has been a difficult time for our region.”
“However, now we have a declared zone I am confident that we can get started on the things that all sides agree on – independent, rigorous research which is specific to our area and the needs of our community and local marine environment. This declaration creates an opportunity for our community to come together to shape how the next stages of this long process should proceed.”
Good for the Gong
Sophia Walter, Good for the Gong volunteer, said: “We’ve been out there at market stalls, outside shops and talking to the community and I can tell you – most people in the Illawarra are happy to see the offshore wind project going ahead so long as it’s done right. We’ll be holding the government to account to protect the environment and deliver on promises for local economic benefits. We all know that more renewable energy is ultimately the best thing for the planet and for our community.”
Tomorrow Movement Wollongong
“As a young person, I’m super happy to see offshore wind progressing here in my hometown – it feels like recognition that my future is important to the government and to Australians. It’s essential the government does this well – they need to be consulting with the community, protecting the wildlife out there, and making sure there are jobs and training for the young people of the Illawarra,” Luke Gelder, Tomorrow Movement Wollongong and Good for the Gong volunteer, said
Surfers for Climate
“Surfers are stoked to see that offshore wind power is being pursued in the Illawarra. We see it as a great opportunity to empower our region to be a leader in clean industry, providing secure employment and skilled job opportunities for the next generation of workers”, Coco Venegalia Surfers for Climate and Illawarra resident said.
“With more renewable capacity, we can move away from fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, which are causing harm to our oceans and planet.
Jobs, jobs, jobs
Michael Wright emphasized the need for robust plans to skill up Australian workers and maximize opportunities for local businesses and manufacturing.
“We need to maximize the opportunity for local businesses, local manufacturing, and local steel, and we need this work to be done by Australian workers in good, well-paid, union jobs right across the renewable energy sector,” Wright said.
Thomas Mayo echoed these sentiments, looking forward to significant economic opportunities for the Illawarra region, including utilizing local seafarers and steel for new projects.
The unified support from groups as diverse as Friends of the Earth Australia, the Electrical Trades Union, and the Maritime Union of Australia highlights the widespread consensus on the benefits of the Illawarra offshore wind zone.
This collaboration signifies a collective commitment to a sustainable and economically vibrant future.
Darryl Best, former coal miner and Illawarra resident, said: “Wind farms, installed using best practice environmental impact studies, as part of the energy transition, are vital for the people and businesses of the Illawarra region. We have a proud history of being at the forefront of industry and this is the perfect opportunity to ensure clean energy is supplied to Bluescope and other industries, as the country and the world transition away from fossil fuels. It also ensures continuing employment for displaced fossil fuel workers and helps our community to thrive.’’
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