Two Limestone Coast politicians have welcomed news the waters off Port MacDonnell have been excluded from the Southern Ocean wind zone.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven MLC and Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell last week said the announcement was a “win” for the local community.
Minister Scriven said community action and State Government advocacy had delivered results for Port MacDonnell and the Limestone Coast, with the Federal Government announcing the Southern Zone offshore wind zone will not include waters off the South Australian coast.
The new zone, which is much smaller than the original proposal – is now at least 15-20km from Victoria’s coast near Port Fairy and Warrnambool, instead of extending to Portland and Port MacDonnell.
Minister Scriven said the South Australian Government welcomed the decision and was appreciative that Federal Minister Chris Bowen “listened to and accepted the feedback from the State Government submission and local communities”.
She said the State Government’s submission outlined concerns for local wildlife and fisheries, particularly the rock lobster industry, as well as environmental impacts and biodiversity, and the nationally significant Bonney Upwelling.
“This is an excellent outcome that has been achieved through working constructively with the Federal Government and advocating strongly for our local industries and environment,” Minister Scriven said.
“I thank Minister Chris Bowen for listening to local communities and considering the environmental and economic significance of the South Australian area.
“This is a great win for Port MacDonnell and the Limestone Coast and will now provide certainty for our local fishing industries and residents.”
Mr Bell echoed Minister Scriven’s comments and thanked those who had banded together to oppose the development.
“I want to acknowledge the important work the State Government did in preparing a submission based on facts, which highlighted numerous issues and risks for our community if this development went ahead,” he said.
“The State Government stood side by side with our community and I want to the thank the Premier for making a strong statement ahead of this announcement which left the Federal Government in no doubt where the community of the South East stood on this issue.
“The decision to remove South Australian waters from the proposed offshore wind zone reflects the power of our collaborative voice.
‘I have been proud to advocate on behalf of our community against this proposal and I would like to highlight the work of Chris Carrison and the dedicated committee members that came together to form Southern Coast Ocean Care, a dynamic group that worked tirelessly to ensure the community’s voice was heard.
“Along with Tony Pasin and his delegation that travelled to Canberra, and the Malinauskas Government, who formally opposed the development in a submission to the Commonwealth, this was truly a collaborative effort that forced the Australian Government to listen to the Limestone Coast Community.”
