Several unions are up in arms about the South Australian Government’s decision to formally oppose the Federal Government’s proposed Southern Ocean offshore wind zone.

The consultation period for the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone held by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen recently closed.

Minister Bowen will now decide whether the proposed area, which is 300km of coast from Warrnambool to Port MacDonnell, is suitable for offshore renewable energy developments.

The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) South Australian branch secretary John Adley has described the South Australian Government’s decision as “cowardly” and an attempt to avoid political backlash.

“Our concern is the State Government has just tried to deal itself out of South Australia’s involvement before any of these studies or consultations have occurred,” he said.

“The consultation from the proponents of investment, the scientific studies of the marine life and the impact statements have not been conducted and that’s what I’m saying needs to happen.

“To shut yourself out of that process and just stick your head in the sand and say ‘we’re just going to pretend it’s not happening’ is just premature and a stupid decision.

“This is not about more work and more money, this is just about having a responsible government that wants to play its part in the national effort to get to net zero because the consequences of not doing that are just too great.”

Mr Adley said not only can the windfarms and fisheries coexist, but the wind farms will benefit the industry in the long term.

“The irony in all this of course is the main opposition is quite rightly from the lobster fishermen lobby and we understand these people have got to make a living but it’s lobster fishing and those types of industries that are at the greatest risk from climate change because increased ocean temperatures and acidity stand to make lobsters extinct,” he said.

“This is the fuller picture that is not being considered in this sort of knee-jerk response and avoidance of a political fight.

“We know from other parts of the world that you can have fisheries and windfarms coexist, it happens in the North Sea, it happens in the US, it happens elsewhere, there’s no reason you cannot do it.”

Mr Adley said the State Government’s claim the energy generated within the zone would also be connected exclusively to the Victorian power grid was not true.

“We are part of a national electricity market so there is no distinct Victorian network, South Australian network, New South Wales network, they are all joined together,” he said.

“The way the national network works is generators generate electricity, they sell it into the network and then the retailers sell it out of the network.

“Western Australia is excluded, they’re not a part of the national market just because of the distance and the sheer expense of making a transmission line across the Nullabor, but everyone else is all connected.

“The more electricity that goes onto the network, the more secure our electricity is and the cheaper it is because it is all supply and demand, so a large offshore windfarm that is generating massive amounts of electricity for the national network brings prices down for everybody.”

Mr Adley also disputes Deputy Premier of South Australia and the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water; Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science; and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Susan Close’s admission the windfarms will have no net benefit to South Australians.

“There is no ability for a generator to supply just to one state and Susan Close should know that, so I really cannot understand why she came out and made the statement that she did because it is plainly untrue to anyone who knows even a basic understanding of the way the electricity system works,” Mr Adley said.

Maritime Union of Australia’s South Australian branch told The SE Voice the rejection of such a project and the opportunities it offers would be short sighted and disappointing.

“Projects such as this will provide secure, long-term employment to thousands of South Australians in the trades and seagoing industries throughout the construction and maintenance phases,” a statement said.

“South Australia has the skills, the infrastructure and the opportunity to support the project and should seize it before offshore wind developers look elsewhere to make their inevitable investments in the growing sector.

“However, the project requires the cooperation of the South Australian Government to become a reality and future generations of workers and their families deserve to see that support provided to ensure sustainable, rewarding employment in the maritime industries are available right here in South Australia.

“For so long as the wind blows these turbines will require maintenance and the MUA’s members stand ready to play their part in this new energy sector.

“In the event that Portland, Victoria, is used as a base, most workers will be on two to six week shifts.

“South Australian seafarers are familiar with long distance commutes for employment, travelling to Darwin and Western Australia respectively.

“The ability to travel through Mount Gambier or Portland would be a welcome change and a necessary step toward a greener, cleaner future.”