Today the Albanese Government is building Australia's future by progressing an offshore wind industry that will deliver regional jobs and lasting energy security for Australia.
Final decisions have been made to offer feasibility licences in the Hunter and Southern Ocean offshore wind zones.
The projects in the Hunter (Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm) and Southern Ocean (Spinifex Offshore Windfarm) zones have the potential to generate 3.2 gigawatts of clean, reliable energy - enough to meet the demands of over 2 million homes or over half of Victoria and NSW's industrial energy demand.
There is further progress in the Gippsland zone with Australia's most advanced offshore wind project, Star of the South, partnering with BlueScope to investigate the potential for steel plate made in the Illawarra to be used in boat landings and platforms for the turbine foundations.
Gippsland licence holder Blue Mackerel North Pty Ltd will also take the next steps to assess the commercial viability of their project after being awarded the first management plan.
In the Illawarra zone, while one application has been received, the Government has paused consideration of the feasibility licence at the applicant's request until after the federal election.
This is due to the sovereign risk created by Peter Dutton's reckless and unprincipled opposition to investment and jobs in the renewables sector.
The Coalition has abandoned its own policy on offshore wind in pursuit of its $600 billion nuclear power agenda that will push power prices up for Australians.
Its commitment to scrapping the Illawarra zone will undermine energy security for the region and create operating risks for major energy users.
As well as ensuring energy security, the Albanese Labor Government is determined to secure benefits for Australian communities hosting offshore wind and other energy infrastructure.
The Government is establishing industry committees for the Hunter and Southern Ocean zones to secure lasting economic and social benefits for local communities.
The Government is also requiring licence holders to engage with fishing groups to ensure communities get their say about developments.
Feasibility licences are issued for 7 years, while proponents consult further with communities and undertake environmental assessments and approval processes before seeking commercial licences to build their offshore wind projects.
During the feasibility stage, proposed projects need to undertake environmental assessments and seek approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, to ensure matters of national environmental significance are protected.
Each feasibility licence holder must develop a management plan to cover the entire proposed project. This plan must address a range of issues including consultation with existing marine users, fishers, local communities, First Nations groups and relevant government entities.
The Minister has also approved new guidelines for offshore transmission and infrastructure licences.
The Minister has made a preliminary decision not to offer a licence to Seadragon in the Gippsland zone.
Attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
"The Albanese Government is securing Australia's energy future with the offshore wind industry the former Coalition Government promised but failed to deliver.
"We're fixing the broken offshore wind plan left behind by the Coalition to ensure communities reap the full social and economic benefits of this burgeoning industry.
"Offshore wind has huge potential for jobs, new industry, and clean, reliable renewable energy in the regions which have powered Australia for generations. But establishing an industry will take time.
"Peter Dutton is cheering on job losses with his backflip on offshore wind in favour of expensive nuclear, ensuring the end of local manufacturing and industry in the communities that have powered Australia's prosperity for generations."
