Friends of the Earth, along with several other NGOs and unions, has signed an open letter calling for a “robust national framework” for offshore wind in Australia.
The open letter, addressed to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, is titled Secure Offshore Wind for Gippsland’s Energy Future.
It states that Victoria’s Gippsland region could soon be home to the first offshore wind farm in the country, the landmark Star of the South in the Bass Strait.
The open letter has described the project as an opportunity to “secure a new source of jobs, invest in regional communities and maintain Gippsland’s place as a top power producer”.
If the project goes ahead, it will create as many as 8000 jobs, spanning construction, maintenance, transport, logistics and other areas.
Building the project is expected to inject up to A$4.2bn of investment directly into the Gippsland region.
In addition to the Star of the South a second offshore wind farm has now been proposed in the waters east of Ninety Mile Beach, and 10 others around the country.
The open letter stated that “without a robust national framework to establish and guide development of offshore wind, the projects are not currently permitted in Commonwealth waters, and continue to face unnecessary delays”.
It added: “We the undersigned want to see Gippsland continue to lead as energy producers by seizing the opportunities in offshore wind, and call on you to ensure the passage of robust, fit-for-purpose offshore wind legislation when federal Parliament returns in August this year.”
Other signatories include Environment Victoria and Maritime Union of Australia.