Huge, controversial offshore NSW wind farm given green light

A massive and controversial offshore wind farm stretching along the NSW southern coastline off the Illawarra region has been given the green light by the federal government.

Exclusive: A massive and controversial offshore wind farm stretching along the NSW southern coastline near Illawarra has been given the green light by the federal government.

Almost a year since the controversial renewable energy project was put before Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, it can be revealed the minister has given it the sign-off.

The proposed area covers 1,461km and extends offshore of Wombarra in the north to Kiama in the south and will involve the construction of 300 industrial wind turbines, which at 260 metres are almost the height of Sydney’s Centre Point Tower.

The proposal has sparked opposition in the Illawarra from environmental activists who say it is smack bang in the migration path of up to 40,000 whales.

In October last year the Coalition Against Offshore wind organised a rally and surf paddle-out attended by several hundred people.

The wind farm with stretch offshore from Wombarra, north of Wollongong (pictured) to Kiama. Picture: iStock

Opponents complained about potential negative impacts from the towers including underwater noise, light emissions, turbine interactions, vessel interactions, electromagnetic field and disturbances to the seabed.

They also alleged its construction would bring invasive marine species to the area and that wind farms were ugly.

Press release issues on Friday night.

Digi art for Daily Tele

Resident and spokesperson for the Coalition Against Offshore Winds, Grant Drinkerwater said “it shows you the government is absolutely gun ho about the most ridiculous proposal that has ever been put forward in the Illawarra. They are talking about putting three hundred turbines smack bang in the middle of the biggest whale migration routes in the world.”

“This isn’t a dream — it’s a nightmare cooked up by green politicians and university professors who have no idea what they are doing.”

A similar wind turbine farm in the Baltic Sea, north-east of Rugen Island in Germany. Picture: AFP

In February a number of Illawarra residents told The Telegraph they would switch their votes from Labor at the next election if the government approved the wind farm.

Paul McLeod, who lives in the electorate of Whitlam, spoke for many when he said he was concerned about the impact of offshore wind farms on marine life and subsequently on the region’s booming tourism and fishing industries.

Many residents and visitors value the pristine nature of the coast south of Sydney, including Stanwell Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“I voted Labor for 45 years. And my father and his father before that. I won’t be voting for Labor,” he said.

The government hopes the project will create up to 2,500 jobs during the construction phase with a further 1,250 ongoing jobs.

Critics says the construction will disturb the massive migration of humpback whales up and down the coast every year.

Public consultation was planned to close in October last year with Mr Bowen extending it for another month following public uproar.

According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website, the Illawarra area is one of six priority areas identified for offshore wind development in Australian Commonwealth waters.

It said the Illawarra region was deemed “well suited” for offshore wind due to having “strong, consistent winds”, “strong grid connections associated with the Tallawarra Power Station and Port Kembla”, proximity to areas of high electricity demand and the potential to support infrastructure via Port Kembla.

“There is also strong industry interest in developing projects in the area offshore of the Illawarra,” it said.

“The area is adjacent to the NSW Government’s proposed Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone.”

During the consultation phase, the department showcased images of what the wind farm could look like.

The images depicted a grid of turbines with 2km by 2km spacing.

It also used the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s 15MW offshore wind turbine reference model as well as the largest wind turbine on the market today.

The reference turbines in the imagery were up to 268 metres high.

The department noted that “a range of scientific studies” would still have to occur by any prospective developer to determine the optimal location, size and arrangement of turbine.

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Originally published as Huge, controversial offshore NSW wind farm given green light