Western Port is under threat once more, this time from a proposed offshore wind terminal at Hastings. Photo: Linda Cuttriss
By Neil Daly
IN MARCH 2021, when sinking the AGL gas import terminal proposal at Crib Point, the Andrews government said in defence of Western Port’s fragile tenure, “This project would cause unacceptable impacts on the Western Port environment and the Ramsar wetlands — it’s important that these areas are protected.”
Fast forward to September 2023 and once more Western Port’s environmental future is under threat thanks to the Andrews government announcement that the Port of Hastings has been selected as the most suitable port to assemble offshore wind infrastructure. “With the benefits of large areas of zoned land it is close to existing port precincts, has deep water channels and is close to the offshore wind projects off the coast of Gippsland.”
IN MARCH 2021, when sinking the AGL gas import terminal proposal at Crib Point, the Andrews government said in defence of Western Port’s fragile tenure, “This project would cause unacceptable impacts on the Western Port environment and the Ramsar wetlands — it’s important that these areas are protected.”
Fast forward to September 2023 and once more Western Port’s environmental future is under threat thanks to the Andrews government announcement that the Port of Hastings has been selected as the most suitable port to assemble offshore wind infrastructure. “With the benefits of large areas of zoned land it is close to existing port precincts, has deep water channels and is close to the offshore wind projects off the coast of Gippsland.”
The Minister for Planning later declared that an environment effects statement (EES) will be required for the project. Draft scoping requirements will be exhibited for public feedback before the EES.
The terminal is proposed to be built at the Old Tyabb Reclamation Area, located in the existing port and industrial zone. It will be equipped for the receival, assembly and installation of offshore wind foundations, towers and turbines as a multi-user facility, with new berths, heavy duty pavements and major supporting infrastructure.
The Port of Hastings Corporation is actively promoting the expansion of the port’s facilities to service this new venture.
In announcing the proposal, the government has shifted ground and drawn up a battle plan that is likely to challenge those seeking to protect Western Port’s biosphere and its critical carbon sequestration role and Ramsar wetland.
The charter of the Western Port Biosphere Foundation, for example, requires it to enhance and protect the reserve’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems while also considering the benefits and pitfalls arising from development activities within its UNESCO biosphere.
Responding to my article The battle for Western Port, Christine Grayden commented that this new proposal was a major threat and had “slipped under many people’s radar”. Fortunately the Save Westernport group and the Victorian National Parks Association are across the issue and made submissions to the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal Project. Public submissions closed on October 23.
Commenting on the proposal, the Save Westernport group said, “Although we welcome plans for Offshore Windfarms in Victoria, we are concerned about the project’s scale, life span, and potential to significantly impact Westernport’s marine and coastal ecology.”
On the other hand, the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula commended the Government for selecting the Port of Hastings. “Our region is uniquely positioned to become the centre of Australia's transmission to a clean energy future. The port is a deep-water port just an hour from Melbourne and is home to a large workforce in the southeast. We’re also suitably positioned close to the Government's offshore wind developments in Bass Strait.”
Apart from the Casey Council administrators, the other councils bordering Western Port say they are aware of the proposal and will formulate a position once the EES is publicly available. While the issue may directly concern these councils, it would be in the interest of all councils that make up the South East Climate Change Alliance (SECCA) to consider the implications of the proposal and assess if it will help or hinder SECCA’s regional goal to reduce emissions by 5.8 per cent every year until 2037.
The Victorian Liberal and Nationals still appear to be struggling when it comes to issues affecting Western Port and its region. They have not responded and, it would seem, have no policy on offshore wind infrastructure.
Victorian Greens Deputy Leader Ellen Sandell says the Victorian Greens support developing Victoria's offshore wind industry as it will be a vital part of getting to 100% renewable energy and ending coal and gas. “Any development though must be done sensitively, carefully considering the environmental impacts and impacts on local communities.”
So the question remains - has Western Port reached a critical turning point in its chequered history and what price will it have to pay to provide clean energy for all?
In weighing up the situation, please take a moment to reflect on Professor Maurice Shapiro’s closing remarks in his “Westernport Bay Environmental Study 1973-1974”. Forty-nine years ago he said, “To paraphrase Mr. Justice Holmes, who in a decision wrote, ‘A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure’. Westernport Bay is more than an amenity, it is a treasure to be cherished for many generations to come. It is in your hands.”
I wonder what Professor Shapiro would say now.
The terminal is proposed to be built at the Old Tyabb Reclamation Area, located in the existing port and industrial zone. It will be equipped for the receival, assembly and installation of offshore wind foundations, towers and turbines as a multi-user facility, with new berths, heavy duty pavements and major supporting infrastructure.
The Port of Hastings Corporation is actively promoting the expansion of the port’s facilities to service this new venture.
In announcing the proposal, the government has shifted ground and drawn up a battle plan that is likely to challenge those seeking to protect Western Port’s biosphere and its critical carbon sequestration role and Ramsar wetland.
The charter of the Western Port Biosphere Foundation, for example, requires it to enhance and protect the reserve’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems while also considering the benefits and pitfalls arising from development activities within its UNESCO biosphere.
Responding to my article The battle for Western Port, Christine Grayden commented that this new proposal was a major threat and had “slipped under many people’s radar”. Fortunately the Save Westernport group and the Victorian National Parks Association are across the issue and made submissions to the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal Project. Public submissions closed on October 23.
Commenting on the proposal, the Save Westernport group said, “Although we welcome plans for Offshore Windfarms in Victoria, we are concerned about the project’s scale, life span, and potential to significantly impact Westernport’s marine and coastal ecology.”
On the other hand, the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula commended the Government for selecting the Port of Hastings. “Our region is uniquely positioned to become the centre of Australia's transmission to a clean energy future. The port is a deep-water port just an hour from Melbourne and is home to a large workforce in the southeast. We’re also suitably positioned close to the Government's offshore wind developments in Bass Strait.”
Apart from the Casey Council administrators, the other councils bordering Western Port say they are aware of the proposal and will formulate a position once the EES is publicly available. While the issue may directly concern these councils, it would be in the interest of all councils that make up the South East Climate Change Alliance (SECCA) to consider the implications of the proposal and assess if it will help or hinder SECCA’s regional goal to reduce emissions by 5.8 per cent every year until 2037.
The Victorian Liberal and Nationals still appear to be struggling when it comes to issues affecting Western Port and its region. They have not responded and, it would seem, have no policy on offshore wind infrastructure.
Victorian Greens Deputy Leader Ellen Sandell says the Victorian Greens support developing Victoria's offshore wind industry as it will be a vital part of getting to 100% renewable energy and ending coal and gas. “Any development though must be done sensitively, carefully considering the environmental impacts and impacts on local communities.”
So the question remains - has Western Port reached a critical turning point in its chequered history and what price will it have to pay to provide clean energy for all?
In weighing up the situation, please take a moment to reflect on Professor Maurice Shapiro’s closing remarks in his “Westernport Bay Environmental Study 1973-1974”. Forty-nine years ago he said, “To paraphrase Mr. Justice Holmes, who in a decision wrote, ‘A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure’. Westernport Bay is more than an amenity, it is a treasure to be cherished for many generations to come. It is in your hands.”
I wonder what Professor Shapiro would say now.
A concept illustration of the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings. Its construction is subject to necessary approvals.