Maritime Union of Australia backs $8bn wind farm

The Maritime Union of Australia is pushing the government to approve exploration for a proposed $8 billion wind farm.

The Maritime Union of Australia is pushing the federal government to approve exploration for a proposed $8 billion wind farm development off the coast of Victoria.

The union sees the potential for high-paying jobs for its members and has accused Energy Minister Angus Taylor of “stalling” the development.

The Star of the South project needs special permission because it would be located in commonwealth waters where no regulatory framework exists for offshore wind farms.

The Environment Department has confirmed that a “bespoke” licensing approach had been developed that would allow the company, Offshore Energy, to carry out wind and wave observations in the area.

The department told Senate estimates on Monday they had evaluated the project, briefed Mr Taylor and provided recommendations. But no decision had been made.

The Star of the South project would be Australia’s first offshore wind farm and biggest renewable energy development, theoretically capable of producing up to 20 per cent of Victoria’s energy needs. The size of the 250 proposed wind turbines would be bigger than anything built anywhere else in the world.

Detractors claim the cost of the project would make it unviable compared with onshore wind projects. But Offshore Energy says it has funding from investment fund Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Fund III, in partnership with PensionDanmark.

The MUA believes the project offers a new industry and the possibility of high-paying jobs.

The union filed a freedom of information request for materials relating to the timeline for approval, including correspondence and briefings with the offices of the Energy Minister and Prime Minister on December 17 last year.

It was denied access to all documents on the ground that they were “deliberative” and related to a decision not yet made by the minister.