Two meetings will be held today regarding the proposed Southern Ocean offshore wind zone.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water sessions will take place at Mount Gambier City Hall from 12pm-2pm and the Port MacDonnell Football Club from 4pm-5.45pm.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen held a press conference in Portland in June to announce the opening of the consultation period for the proposed offshore windfarm zone.

The proposal is a first step of engagement for government to seek public feedback on the marine uses and users across the region and further public feedback will be sought by developers as individual projects are proposed and developed.

Offshore wind developers, including BlueFloat Energy, are exploring plans for projects within the proposed zone which could occupy a total area of approximately 300km from Cape Douglas in South Australia to Warrnambool in Victoria.

The proposal has faced backlash by locals including the Southern Coast Ocean Care committee – a group of concerned Port MacDonnell citizens objecting to the location of the planned zone.

Southern Coast Ocean Care member Lisa Priddle said the committee opposed the development of the proposed wind zone in its entirety.

“There is nothing in this proposed zone that benefits our area off the coast of Port MacDonnell … there are plenty of jobs for people in Portland and plenty of benefits for Victoria, (but) there are plenty of negatives for us,” she said.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin has organised a delegation to travel to Canberra this month to meet with Mr Bowen to make their concerns heard about the proposed zone.

The group will include Southern Coast Ocean Care members and professional and recreational fishers as well as Grant District Mayor Kylie Boston.