MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA
MEDIA RELEASE
Bunbury offshore wind projects closer to fruition
3 September 2024
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) applauds further progress toward the development of Australia's offshore renewable energy with this week's announcement the Federal Government's official declaration of the offshore wind zone in the Indian Ocean off Bunbury on the southwestern corner of Western Australia.
This announcement is a major step towards delivering energy and job security in a region that has been an important contributor to Australia's resources and energy needs in recent years.
The MUA said the Government's commitment to building renewable infrastructure in Australia would support heavy industry with cheaper renewable electricity, maximising local content and workers, and expanding Australian supply chains.
"This is a win for workers, industry and the environment," said MUA Assistant National Secretary, Thomas Mayo. "Western Australia is on the cusp of turbocharging its economy with abundant, cheap and emission free electricity that is the obvious complement to the resources and mining sectors."
MUA Western Australia branch Secretary, Will Tracey, said that: "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. Dockworkers and seafarers are ready to use their skills handling coal and building big offshore oil and gas projects to deliver offshore renewable energy for the people of WA."
The declared area covers 3,995km2 and is at least 30 kilometres from shore. The area is located offshore between Dawesville and Cape Naturaliste, WA.
The government estimates the new Bunbury area will create an estimated 7,000 new jobs during construction and approximately 3,500 ongoing jobs
"We look forward to assembling offshore wind turbines in Bunbury and using skilled Australian seafarers to install and maintain them," Thomas Mayo said.
The union highlighted how crucial it was that renewable energy projects being announced by the Federal Government were backed with plans to skill up and provide long term employment opportunities for Australian workers.
"We need to maximise the opportunity for local businesses, local manufacturing and local workers employed on strong, safe and well-paid union agreements to ensure the massive investment we're seeing in this sector is economically beneficial to WA workers and their families," Will Tracey said. "We call on the WA state government to get involved with developing an offshore wind strategy for our state that ensures we get the best possible benefit of the potential jobs, investment and bulk renewable energy that's on offer," Mr Tracey said.
The MUA has been campaigning, alongside other unions with workers in this burgeoning industry, to see rock solid procurement and local content commitments from state and federal governments.
"We look forward to working with both levels of government to turn their various verbal commitments that these projects will deliver local employment into concrete economic benefits for Australians workers in WA and beyond. Enforceable procurement rules will guarantee these projects deliver the quality jobs and local supply chain opportunities that are being promised," Mr Mayo said.
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