South Australia wants out of new offshore wind zone, to protect rock lobsters

The South Australian government has dropped a bombshell on the federal government’s offshore wind plans, and has asked that the state not be included in the proposed new Southern Ocean offshore wind zone. 

The proposed zone covers an already reduced 5100km stretch of ocean from Warrnambool in Victoria up to Port MacDonnell in South Australia, and public consultation opened in June. It is the second proposed offshore wind zone in Victoria, after Gippsland, where the first big offshore wind projects will be built.

The South Australia government, however, says it is worried about the impact that construction will harm fisheries industries in the area and in particular the $187.5 million rock lobster industry, as well as marine life.

It also said that energy generated within the zone would be connected exclusively to the Victorian power grid, and not to South Australia, which already sources more than 70 per cent of its grid demand from (onshore) wind and solar.

It is recommending the federal government moves the zone, or reduces the size of it so it doesn’t include South Australia at all.

• See RenewEconomy’s Offshore Wind Map of Australia

South Australia minister for primary industries Clare Scriven says the seafood sectors around Port MacDonnell contribute some 1000 full time jobs, making it a crucial industry in the southeast region of the state. 

“The state government has stood with the rock lobster industry since coming to government, particularly in the wake of difficult times with COVID and trade tensions with China,” she said in a statement. 

“The sector needs certainty going forward that some of its most productive fishing grounds will not be impacted by a project that, while impacting on South Australia, will deliver energy to Victoria.”

It’s likely other residents of the Limestone Coast will be less than impressed by the state government’s carve out request, however.

In 2022, Kingston District Council chief executive Nat Traeger told local media InDaily she welcomed the prospect of the jobs offshore wind could offer and investment in infrastructure, such as the town’s non-functioning boat ramp.

Strong opposition from fisheries

Commercial fishers and residents around Port MacDonnell have become fierce opponents of the proposed zone, raising concerns in the media following an announcement by developer Bluefloat Energy that it wants to put a 77-turbine farm just offshore from the township.

The concerns range from the impact of noise, electromagnetic fields and loss of habitat on breeding, to future fisheries populations of species such as abalone, marine scalefish and bluefin tuna.

Nathan Kimber, an executive with the South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council, hopes the federal government will listen to the submissions from South Australia to exclude waters that overlap with fishing areas. 

“Having an offshore energy zone declared off South Australia’s Port MacDonnell in an area critical to our fishery will only add to the uncertainties and stress that the industry and Limestone Coast communities have experienced over this period,” he said in a statement. 

Conservationists are worried about the proximity of offshore wind farms on marine park sanctuary zones, and the populations of wildlife that frequent the area such as pygmy blue whale, southern right whale, white shark, Australasian gannet, wedge-tailed shearwater and several species of albatross.

Research into the short term impact of building offshore wind farms shows there are negative effects on local fisheries, but in the longer term wind farms can support an increase in marine life, attracted to the reefs created by turbine footings and protection created by fishing bans around the towers.

One review, published in Nature last year, highlighted that poor planning rules and regulations are a key risk for marine life when offshore wind farms are built.

No decision yet

The federal government said on Tuesday that it was committed to “genuine community consultation” on all of the proposed offshore wind zones, and that no final decision had yet been taken on the Southern Ocean region.

The submission period closes on August 31.

“Consultations around offshore wind to date have been thorough, and take into consideration all sea users, including co-existence with fisheries and the environment, as well the future energy requirements of this region,” said a spokesperson for federal energy minister Chris Bowen.

“The minister will consider all evidence from community, governments and industry members during consultation for the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone.

“Only after a Commonwealth zone is declared, project proponents have bid and received a feasibility licence and met the strict environmental processes through the EPBC, can a project commence construction.”

Good wind resource, close to customers

The Southern Ocean zone is an attractive area for offshore wind developers.

Portland already has a working deep water port which is also next door to the Portland Aluminium Smelter, which is a heavy power user. The area itself has a strong wind resource and the continental shelf that Australia sits on stretches a long way out into the ocean, which makes attaching turbines to the ocean floor much easier than in deep water. 

Furthermore, the Victorian government is already a strong backer of offshore wind, given its offshore wind target of 2 gigawatts by 2032, 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040.

It is currently reviewing feasibility licence applications for the Gippsland offshore wind zone, the winners of which are expected to be announced from the end of 2023. 

While South Australia is looking to protect its 1000 fisheries jobs, Victoria is anticipating that offshore wind will create 3000 new jobs for about 15 years during construction, and require another 3000 for ongoing operations.  

Two projects proposed for South Australia side

Only two announced projects will be affected, if South Australia achieves its goal of being left out of future offshore wind zones.

Bluefloat Energy suggested a 1.2 gigawatt (GW) wind farm dubbed the Southern Winds, that could start operations by 2031 if they were to get a feasibility licence next year. It was originally working with consultant Energy Estate on the project, but the duo have decided to move on separately with their individual projects. 

Although sited such south of Port MacDonnell, the proposal includes an undersea transmission line that lands at Portland, in Victoria.

The other project is to the north of Port MacDonnell at Kingston.

Australis Energy’s and Skyborn Renewables’ proposed Kingston Offshore Wind Farm would have a capacity of 400–600 MW, cost around $1.7 billion and host up to 75 turbines.