According to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water of Australia article published on February 27, 2023, the Australian Government is seeking your feedback on the benefits and effects of future offshore renewable energy projects in a proposed area of the Pacific Ocean region.
The area is 10 km off the NSW Hunter coast and has quality wind resources and marine conditions.
A strong offshore energy industry in the region provides opportunities to:
- drive economic growth
- support and create jobs
- provide clean and affordable power to households, businesses and industrial consumers
- help us reach net zero by 2050.
There are around 3,000 engineering and manufacturing jobs expected from the new offshore industry in the area.
Hunter is the second out of 6 priority regions identified as possibly suitable for large-scale offshore wind projects. The first area declared as suitable was Bass Strait off Victoria’s Gippsland coast.
The Hunter community and interested stakeholders can attend drop-in question and answer sessions with DCCEEW staff from Monday 6 March 2023 to Thursday 9 March 2023:
Wamberal
Monday 6 March, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Breakers Country Club
64 Dover Road, Wamberal NSW 2260
Doyalson
Tuesday 7 March, 10.30am – 12.30pm
The Doylo
80 Pacific Highway, Doyalson NSW 2262
Swansea
Tuesday 7 March, 4pm – 6pm
Swansea RSL
5 Bridge Street, Swansea NSW 2281
Newcastle City
Wednesday 8 March, 12 noon – 2pm
Newcastle City Library, War Memorial Cultural Centre
15 Laman Street, Newcastle 2300
Merewether, Newcastle
Wednesday 8 March, 4pm – 7pm
Bar Beach Bowling Club
29 Kilgour Ave, Merewether NSW 2291
Hawks Nest
Thursday 9 March, 11am – 1pm
Hawks Nest Community Centre
71 Booner Street, Hawks Nest, NSW 2324
Nelson Bay
Thursday 9 March, 5pm – 7pm
Nelson Bay Bowling Club
1 Stockton St, Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Offshore renewable energy projects must share this proposed multi-use area with other marine users and interests. Your feedback will help inform the Minister’s decision on whether the proposed area is suitable for offshore renewable energy.
Submissions must be made through the Have your say portal by Friday 28 April 2023.
