Offshore wind farms
As reported at the recent AMM’s the Commonwealth push for offshore wind farming in our Fishery continues.
In June the northern project (Oceanex Energy,) was given pre-feasibility approval and in August Westward Wind and Bunbury Offshore Wind South were given prefeasibility approvals. These approvals cover about 38% of the 1916km2 of Area 1 or around 730km2.
The federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Minister Chris Bowen’s final decision on feasibility licence applications depends on the outcome of consultation with First Nations groups under the Native Title Act 1993. However, the current approvals allow the proponents to extend their planning efforts in preparation for feasibility licencing, including seismic surveying of the sites.
Our own University of Western Australia have made application to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for approval to undertake marine surveys of in excess of 1,204,685.11 ha or 12046.85 km2 of ocean floor in and around the Declared OWF area. The disturbed footprint will be of equal size.
1.1 Project footprint
Project Area: 1204685.11 Ha Disturbance Footprint: 1204685.11 Ha
The proposal sought approval to do an initial survey of 185,000 ha or 1850 km2. The exact area of survey is not determined yet but the below is an indication.
The Department (DCCEEW) made recommendations to the Minister that the survey be considered not a Controlled Action.
In its simplest terms this means that the activity does not threaten any protected species and will not cause irreparable damage to the environment so will not need authorising under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Part 3 and is required only to put in place the proposed mitigation strategies listed in the original application. WRL are currently reviewing information on the proposed mitigation strategies.
The application states the work will not commence before the issuing of the feasibility licenses for the Bunbury offshore wind area by the department and will occur outside the peak whale migration season (September to December).
This will be of no comfort to WRL’s fishers and members. Consultation with the commercial fishing industry (or any fishers) is described in the application and referral documentation as “DPIRD has been contacted and provided with a project brief as a matter of good practice.” Lip service is being paid to consultation with the State on this matter. The disappointing report from the Senate Inquiry into offshore wind industry consultation process (also released in June) does not give confidence that the process of consultation by either the government or the proponents will improve significantly.
WRL are reviewing the application documents with a view to making strong representations on behalf of industry. WRL will work with DPIRD in relation to this highly concerning development in preparation for the issue of feasibility licences following the necessary Native Title consultations.
Western Rock Lobster will keep you informed about OWF through our communication channels.