South coast, Illawarra wind farm proposal leads to 2500 person petition calling for cancellation

A push to build an offshore wind farm on the NSW south coast has been met with concern it could cause “disfigurement of the sea” and a petition labelling it a “scar on our hearts”.

EXCLUSIVE

Plans to create offshore wind farms on the NSW south coast have been dubbed the “end of the pristine” stretch of coastal villages and a “disfigurement of the sea” by angry locals.

More than 2500 locals have already signed a petition calling for the Commonwealth’s plans to create the farms from Gerringong to the north of Wollongong to be dumped, claiming they would destroy tourism and the coastal way of life.

Residents have expressed concern the environmental impact statement for the project — which will look at the effects on marine life — will not be conducted until later on in the process.

“Their lights will flash all night. Their blades will flash all day. There will be no escape. It will be a disfigurement of the sea and a scar on our hearts,” the petition on Change.org said.

Another 1600 angry locals have flocked to Facebook group to discuss how to oppose the wind farms.

Woonoona local Chris Wolf is against wind turbines in the area. Picture: supplied

Shellharbour teacher Kassandra Boess has written to her local member calling for the offshore wind farms to be stopped.

Shellharbour teacher Kassandra Boess, 29, said she supports renewable energy but not if they damage the very environment that locals are trying to preserve.

“I’m very much for supporting the climate and the environment but my main concern is preserving our environment,” she said.

“There have been no impact statements done and they said it will be done after there is a tender.”

Thirroul man David Durber, 83, is concerned about the impact on whale migration in the region that is popular for whale watching among both locals and tourists.

“I’m concerned about the visual impact plus all the damage to the sea life. We are on an important pathway for migrating whales.”

Woonoona local Chris Wolf, 44, said the “immediate environmental impact” of the proposed farms cannot be ignored. 

“It’s classic not in my backyard mentality at face value but there is more to it than that. The immediate environmental impact can’t be ignored,” he said.

Map of impacted areas by proposed wind farms off the NSW south Coast. Picture: Supplied

Mr Wolf said he was also concerned about the impact on tourism including paragliding at the popular Stanwell Tops area.

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering chief executive Kylie Walker said there was little evidence of the impact of wind farms on whale migration but accepted that not a lot of research had been conducted on the issue.

“I acknowledge there is not a lot of research in this space … (but) the biggest threats to whale and bird migration is climate change and that’s something offshore wind can assist with.”

Ms Walker said she does not believe the project will impact how people use the beach including fishing and surfing.

University of Wollongong Energy Futures Network director Ty Christopher said the concerns were valid but it was important to look at the “greater good”.

Veja Mate offshore wind farm off the German coast. Supplied by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

“There are local environmental issues to consider, whether its impact on the seabed, whale migration and the like and then there is a macro environment picture which is that Australia is still getting 70 per cent of its energy from fossil fuels,” he said.

UOW is working on releasing an FAQ document about the project and Mr Christopher said the community will have opportunities to give their input through out the process.

“One of the things we are recommending is more research.”

A spokesman for the department said: “Before declaring an offshore zone, the Minister will balance the views of local communities and industries, including co-existence with existing marine users and interaction with the environment, as well the future energy security, supply for heavy industry, and job opportunities for the Illawarra region.”