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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-03-06 Daily Xml
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Southern Ocean Wind Farm

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:46): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development a question about wind farms.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: Earlier today, the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Mr Chris Bowen MP, travelled to Portland to make a much-anticipated announcement about the declaration of an offshore wind zone in the Southern Ocean, which originally crept into South Australian waters and specifically the township of Port MacDonnell. Given the proposal impacts her home town, can the minister update the chamber and all those listening with the good news regarding today's announcement as it relates to Port MacDonnell and South Australia?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for her question and her active interest in this very important topic. Today is a very good day for Port MacDonnell, for the Limestone Coast and for our South-East fishing industry, and indeed anyone who values the natural and ecological wonders of our region.

The proposed offshore wind zone off the coast of Port MacDonnell is no longer. The federal government has today announced that the zone will not extend into South Australian waters. Instead, it will be contained to waters off the western coast of Victoria, as indeed was called for in the state government submission to the federal DCCEEW consultation process.

A key component was the work done by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) to assess the evidence available about the possible impacts of offshore wind construction and operation and what those impacts could be on fisheries. This informed the state government submission.

It also was very relevant to have the strong community campaign from Limestone Coast locals, rock lobster and other fishing industries, conservationists, and of course the submission from our government, in ensuring that the federal government, and in particular Minister Bowen, knew the concerns of all involved in having a wind energy zone declared in such a productive and important area for local industries and our environment.

Minister Bowen has taken into account the feedback he has received, including the detailed submission made by the state government opposing the zone’s declaration. I also made a number of direct representations and follow-ups regarding this issue to Minister Bowen, who has been willing to listen throughout the process.

This shows a federal government that is willing to work with its state counterparts, and I must say it stands somewhat in contrast to federal governments over the past decade: the Coalition government. The Albanese government is clearly seeking to strike the right balance between advancing renewable energy and protecting existing industries, as they have done in this case.

South Australia's renewable energy credentials stand up against any in the world. In opposing this particular proposal, based on the impact it could have had on industry and the local community, it certainly takes nothing away from the huge investment the Malinauskas Labor government is making in clean green renewable energy that will power our state into the future.

It is simply about getting the balance right and building and investing in communities at the centre of the change, such as our government is doing in the Upper Spencer Gulf, but not risking long-established industries that provide so much to local communities, such as rock lobster in the South-East.

As minister responsible for those incredibly important industries in the region which would have been most impacted and, as the Hon. Connie Bonaros mentioned, as a local myself, I was very pleased to stand alongside the community and formulate the state government submission to the federal consultation process.

The department of course led all of that work, and it is to their credit that it has paid off so well. The Port MacDonnell community will, no doubt, be very relieved today and I dare say have some cause to celebrate their hard work in getting this outcome. I look forward to getting home soon and celebrating it with them.

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